Washington lesson 3 of 6
File the Certificate of Formation
Washington calls its formation document a Certificate of Formation, filed with the Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Division for a $180 state fee.
What the Certificate asks for
The form covers the LLC's name, the registered agent's name and Washington street address, the principal office address, whether the LLC will be managed by all members or by designated managers, and the names of the people forming the LLC, called executors on the Washington form.
- The principal office address does not have to be in Washington
- Filing includes an initial report at no extra fee if submitted together with the Certificate
- A Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is issued on approval if the business does not already have one
Fee, filing route and speed
The state filing fee is $180. Filing online through the Secretary of State's system is the standard route; the Certificate can also be mailed or delivered in person to Olympia. Expedited service adds $100 per entity and is generally processed within about three working days, compared with the standard queue.
If you do not include the initial report with your Certificate of Formation, it is still due within 120 days of formation, and filing it separately costs $10.
After approval
Keep the confirmation and your UBI number, since the Department of Revenue, banks and future filings all reference it. Washington does not require an operating agreement to be filed, but it is the private document that sets out ownership, voting and management.
Key takeaways
- The Certificate of Formation costs $180, filed with the Secretary of State.
- Expedited service adds $100 per entity for roughly three working day processing.
- The initial report is due within 120 days, free if bundled with formation, $10 if filed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Washington to form a Washington LLC?
No. There is no residency requirement for members or managers. Only the registered agent needs a physical Washington street address.
Is an operating agreement required in Washington?
It is not filed with the state, but Washington's LLC statute lets it override many default rules on management and distributions, and banks typically ask to see one.
Official sources
Or let us file your Washington LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Certificate of Formation, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team