Washington LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in Washington costs $180 in state filing fees and then $70 a year to keep it active. Washington's estimated five-year state costs of $460 are 37% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in Washington
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $180 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $70/yr | Annual report, $70 (the state business license is separate) |
| Year-one cost | $180 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $460 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 36th cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
Other state taxes (not in the totals)
Washington has no state income tax, but a business with gross income of $12,000 a year or more (or that meets other Department of Revenue triggers) needs a state business license: a $50 application fee to open and a $5 annual renewal processing fee, plus any endorsement fees. Business and occupation (B&O) tax is based on gross receipts. We do not count these in the totals because they depend on income and activity.
Verified details
- Certificate of Formation: $180 per the Secretary of State fee schedule.
- Annual report: $70, due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed or registered; it may be filed up to 180 days early. A delinquent entity pays an additional $25.
- The Washington state business license is issued separately by the Department of Revenue and is not included in this site's figures.
Annual reports and upkeep
Washington filing cadence: Annual (last day of formation month). Annual report, $70 (the state business license is separate). Missing filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, so put the dates in a calendar. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in Washington
- Check the name. Search the Washington business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Washington and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $180. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the annual (last day of formation month) filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in Washington?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside Washington?
You can form an LLC in Washington even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, for example, an out-of-state LLC transacting business pays $750 to register. See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare Washington with similar-cost states
| State | Formation | Annual | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $250 | $50 | $450 |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | $450 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | $440 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | $500 |
Head-to-head: Washington vs California · Washington vs Texas · Washington vs Florida · Washington vs New York · Washington vs Delaware · Washington vs Wyoming · Washington vs Nevada · Washington vs New Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
The state filing fee is $180. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in Washington?
Annual report, $70 (the state business license is separate). That works out to about $70 per year in state fees.
Do I need a registered agent in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in Washington?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check Washington's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is Washington cheap compared with other states?
Washington's estimated five-year state costs of $460 are 37% above the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- Washington official filing site: sos.wa.gov
- WA SOS: fee schedules and priority services
- WA SOS: annual reports
- WAC 434-112-085
- WA DOR: apply for a business license
- WA DOR: business license processing fees
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.