Business formation
Form your business in Washington
Start your LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Nonprofit in Washington with a guided, step-by-step workflow tailored to your entity type - and know the state filing fee before you begin.
Forming an LLC in Washington costs $200 in state filing fees, which is among the most expensive in the country: 44 of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. A corporation files for $200 and a nonprofit for $40. Below: the fee table, what else you pay in year one, and the questions founders ask before filing here.
Washington state filing fees
These are the one-time fees paid to the Washington Secretary of State to file your formation document. They are separate from any EazeAccounts service or package fee.
| Entity type | State filing fee |
|---|---|
| LLCArticles of Organization - flexible, pass-through, simple to run. | $200 |
| Corporation (C-Corp / S-Corp)Articles of Incorporation - shares, board, officers. S-Corp is a federal tax election on the same state filing. | $200 |
| NonprofitNonprofit Articles of Incorporation - mission-driven; optional 501(c)(3). | $40 |
Note: $200 online / $180 mail; nonprofit $40 online / $30 mail.
Estimated state filing fees, separate from EazeAccounts service fees. Some states set a minimum that can rise with authorized shares, and expedited or online filing may differ. Fees last verified May 2026; confirm the current amount with the Washington Secretary of State before filing.
What else you pay in year one
- Registered agent. Free if you serve as your own agent at a Washington street address; a service charges an annual fee if you would rather keep your address off the public record.
- EIN. Free from the IRS. Anyone charging for an EIN alone is charging for the form.
- Annual report or franchise tax. Most states ask for a yearly report and some charge a fee or tax with it; the amount and deadline are set by Washington. Check the Secretary of State page before you file so the first renewal is not a surprise.
- Licences and permits. City and county rules depend on what the business does, not on the entity type.
Not sure whether an LLC or a corporation fits? The entity cost calculator compares the two over three years, and the guide to LLC vs C-Corp covers the tax and investor side.
Questions founders ask about Washington
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
- The Washington state filing fee for an LLC is $200, paid once when you file the formation document. That is among the most expensive in the country: 44 of 51 jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. Registered agent service, expedited processing and any EazeAccounts package are separate.
- Do I need a registered agent in Washington?
- Yes. Every state requires an LLC or corporation to name a registered agent with a physical street address in Washington who is available during business hours to receive legal and official mail. You can be your own agent if you live in the state, or use a service.
- What is the difference between the state fee and the EazeAccounts fee?
- The state fee goes to the Washington Secretary of State and is the same whoever files for you. The EazeAccounts formation package covers preparing and filing the documents, the EIN, the operating agreement or bylaws, and setting your books up from day one. You always see both amounts before you pay.
- Is the state filing fee refundable if my filing is rejected?
- Generally no. States keep the fee even when a filing is rejected for a name conflict or a missing detail, which is why the name check and document review happen before anything is submitted.
Next step
Comparing states? Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or see filing fees in every state.
Ready to form in Washington? Begin the step-by-step formation workflow.