Washington lesson 4 of 6
Get an EIN and open a bank account
A Washington LLC ends up with two different identifying numbers: a Unified Business Identifier from the state, and a federal EIN from the IRS. Banks want both.
Applying for the EIN
Apply directly on the IRS website at no cost after the Certificate of Formation is approved. If the responsible party has a US social security number or ITIN, the EIN is issued immediately online. Otherwise the application goes in on Form SS-4 by fax or post, which takes longer and is the usual route for owners outside the United States.
Opening the account
Bring the confirmed Certificate of Formation, your UBI number, the EIN confirmation letter, an operating agreement, and identification for signers and significant owners. Requirements for non-resident owners vary by bank, so confirm ahead of time if nobody on the account lives in the US.
Running personal expenses through the LLC's account is one of the fastest ways to lose the liability protection the LLC is meant to provide.
The state Business License Application
Separately from the EIN, most Washington businesses must complete a Business License Application with the Department of Revenue, which is what actually registers the LLC for state tax purposes including B&O tax.
Key takeaways
- The EIN is free and issued by the IRS, separate from your Washington UBI number.
- Banks typically want both the EIN letter and the UBI-bearing state filings.
- The Business License Application with the Department of Revenue is a separate registration step.
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