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Washington LLC formation
Start your Washington LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC prepares and files your Washington Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division usually within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus Washington's $200 state filing fee and $100 priority expedited filing fee, both passed through at cost, so your total is $399. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
Washington LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Washington files every order with the state rush, so approval is expected within 3 working days. Every Washington order is filed with the state's rush service: Expedited (within 3 working days, the state's stated target) +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us. Why rush is included: HourLLC files every Washington order with the state's expedited service instead of the standard queue. Washington says it generally processes these within three working days (Washington Secretary of State: priority services).
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $200
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Includes Washington priority expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee)
- +$100
- Your total
- $399
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- State approval (rush included)
- Within 3 working days
- Filing office
- Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division
- Formation document
- Certificate of Formation
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $20
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $20
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Washington. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies and Good Standing certificates are optional; the required Washington rush fee is charged at checkout at the state's cost. No service fee on any of them.
Official Washington fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in Washington with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Washington LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, a Washington registered agent, and your business address. Washington filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Washington's state fee and required rush fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Certificate of Formation to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. When Washington approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Certificate of Formation as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Washington LLC is approved
Washington LLCs file an Initial Report within 120 days of formation and then an annual report by the end of the LLC's anniversary month each year, with a $70 fee.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a Washington address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Certificate of Formation usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Certificate of Formation, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing a Washington LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus Washington's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your Washington LLC is formed
Washington LLCs file an Initial Report within 120 days of formation and then an annual report by the end of the LLC's anniversary month each year, with a $70 fee. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Washington LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
Washington LLC name rules
A Washington LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “limited liability Co.”, “L.L.C.” or “LLC”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state. May not contain "cooperative," "partnership," "corporation," "incorporated," or the abbreviations Corp., Ltd., Inc., LP, L.P., LLP, L.L.P., LLLP, L.L.L.P., or words prohibited by another Washington statute (RCW 23.95.305(5)).
You can reserve a name before you file for $30 (good for 180 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Washington registered agent
The registered agent filing names a commercial registered agent, or a noncommercial registered agent with its name and address (or an office/position within the entity plus an address); an agent may not be appointed without consenting (RCW 23.95.415).
On our order form you name your registered agent and their Washington street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Washington, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Washington LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Washington, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for Washington state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Washington LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $200 |
|---|---|
| Required state rush fee (Washington priority expedited filing) | $100 |
| Yearly report or tax (by the end of your formation month) | $70 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $30 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Department of Revenue) | $5 plus the business license fee |
| Registered agent | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Other Washington rules to know
A new Washington LLC also files a $10 initial report within 120 days of formation.
Checked on official Washington sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, name reservation, trade name, annual report, other rules. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Washington LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Washington?
Washington charges a $200 state filing fee for a new LLC, and every Washington order includes its priority expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee). HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $399. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The state fee is passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Washington?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. With the required state rush, approval is expected within 3 working days (the state target). Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Washington LLC?
Every Washington order is filed with the state's rush service: Expedited (within 3 working days, the state's stated target) +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.
Does a Washington LLC have to file an annual report?
Washington LLCs file an Initial Report within 120 days of formation and then an annual report by the end of the LLC's anniversary month each year, with a $70 fee. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Washington formation document called?
In Washington the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Formation, filed with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in Washington?
Yes, like almost every state, Washington requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a Washington address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does a Washington LLC name need to include?
A Washington LLC name must include "limited liability company", "limited liability Co.", "L.L.C." or "LLC", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in Washington?
The registered agent filing names a commercial registered agent, or a noncommercial registered agent with its name and address (or an office/position within the entity plus an address); an agent may not be appointed without consenting (RCW 23.95.415).
How do I get an EIN for my Washington LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your Washington state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: Washington filing requirements