Washington State Secretary Of State Business License Search – To start a Washington State LLC you need to file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, which costs up to $200 to file. You can apply online or by post. The Certificate of Formation is the legal document that officially creates your Washington Limited Liability Company.
A guide to get started today. You can learn more about LLCs and their benefits in our guide What are LLCs. To learn how to form an LLC in Spanish, read our guide Cómo crear una LLC en Washington.
Washington State Secretary Of State Business License Search
For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to start an LLC guide.
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Choosing a company name is the first and most important step in forming an LLC in Washington state. Be sure to choose a name that complies with Washington naming requirements and is easily searchable by potential customers.
2. Is the name available in Washington? Make sure the name you want isn’t already taken by doing a Washington state LLC name search on the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System.
3. Is the URL available? We recommend that you check to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to start a business website today, you may want to buy the URL to prevent others from acquiring it.
Now that you have verified your name and obtained the URL you can choose a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you. We recommend using one of these professional services:
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What is a Registered Agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important tax forms, legal documents, notice of lawsuits, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. Think of your registered agent as your business’ point of contact with the state.
Who can be a Registered Agent? A Registered Agent must be a resident of Washington or a corporation, such as a registered agent service, authorized to conduct business in the state of Washington. You can nominate an individual within the company including yourself.
Recommended: Northwest provides the first year of free registered agent service with LLC formation ($29 + State Fees) STEP 3: File the Washington LLC Certificate of Formation
To register your Washington LLC, you will need to file the Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State. You can apply online or by post.
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State Filing Fee: $180 for filing by mail, or $200 online. The Initial Report is included with the online filing at no cost. If filed at a later date (within 120 days), it is $10 by mail or $30 online. Expedited services are available for an additional $50. Payable to the Secretary of State (Non-refundable)
If you are expanding your existing LLC to the state of Washington, you will need to form a Foreign LLC.
An operating agreement is not required to form an LLC in Washington, but it is good practice to have one.
What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document that describes the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.
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Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.
What is an EIN? EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help identify businesses for tax purposes. It is essentially a Social Security number for a business.
An EIN is sometimes called a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN).
What if I already have an EIN for my sole proprietorship? The IRS requires sole proprietors to obtain a new EIN when they convert to an LLC.
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Where can I get an EIN? You can get a free EIN from the IRS. Obtaining an EIN is an easy process that can be done online or by mail.
FOR INTERNATIONAL EIN APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to obtain an EIN. For more information, read our How to Get an EIN as a Foreign Person guide.
LLC is short for Limited Liability Company. It is a simple business structure that offers more flexibility than a traditional corporation while providing many of the same benefits. For more information, read our guide What is an LLC.
If you are having trouble coming up with a name for your LLC use our LLC Name Generator. This will not only find a unique name for your business but an available URL that matches.
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After getting your business name, your next step is to have a unique logo. Get your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator.
Most LLCs do not need a DBA. The LLC name can serve as your company’s brand name and you can accept checks and other payments under that name as well. However, you may wish to register a DBA if you wish to run a business under a different name.
Using a professional Registered Agent service is an affordable way to manage government filings for your LLC. For many businesses, the advantages of using a professional service significantly outweigh the annual costs.
An LLC is referred to as a “domestic LLC” when it conducts business in the state where it was formed. Usually when we refer to an LLC we are actually referring to a domestic LLC. A foreign LLC must be formed when an existing LLC wishes to expand its business to another state.
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No. The operating agreement is an internal document that you should keep on file for future reference. However, many states legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement in place.
A social security number is not required to obtain an EIN. You can simply fill out IRS Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. Then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Learn more here about applying as an international applicant.
When you receive an EIN, you will be informed of the different tax classification options that are available. Most LLCs choose the default tax status.
However, some LLCs can reduce their federal tax liability by electing S corporation (S corp) status. To learn more, read our LLC vs. S Corp guide.
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All LLCs with employees, or any LLC with more than one member, must have an EIN. This is required by the IRS.
Learn why we recommend you always get an EIN and how to get one for free in our Do I Need an EIN for LLC guide.
For Seattle businesses with fewer than 500 employees, the minimum wage is $18.69 without benefits and $16.50 with benefits.
When your personal and business accounts are commingled, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event that your Washington LLC is sued. In business law, this is called piercing the corporate veil.
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Recommended: Read our Best Small Business Banks review to find the best national bank, credit union, business lending friendly bank, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more. 2. Obtaining a business credit card:
For a closer look at business credit cards and their benefits, check out our review of the best small business credit cards.
Business Insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your LLC. The most common types of business insurance are:
Get the protection you need with a dedicated small business insurance provider. Find out how much insurance will cost you by getting a quote from our partners at Next Insurance.
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Creating a website is an important step in legitimizing your business. Every business needs a website if you want your customers to find you.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our Best Website Builders review.
Press releases are among the easiest and best ways to promote your business. They are also one of the most cost-effective strategies as:
To operate your LLC in Washington, you must comply with federal, state and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, sign permits, etc.
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The details of business licenses and permits vary from state to state. Be sure to read carefully. Don’t be surprised if there are also short classes required.
Fees for business licenses and permits will vary depending on what type of license you are looking to obtain.
Find out how to obtain the necessary business licenses and permits in Washington for your LLC or hire a professional service to do it for you:
Recommended: If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, consider having a professional service research your business license requirements. Read the best review of our business license services on Startup Savant.
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Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of state tax.
If you’re selling a physical product, you’ll typically need to register for a seller’s permit through the Washington Department of Revenue website.
Sales tax, also called “Sales and Use Tax”, is a tax levied by states, counties, and municipalities on business transactions involving the exchange of certain taxable goods or services. Read our Washington sales tax guide to find out more.
If you have employees in Washington, you will need to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax through the Washington State Department
