Washington Certificate of Formation: File for $180 (2026)
File the Washington Certificate of Formation with the $180 base fee, or $200 online total. Check current processing and choose whether to include or defer the Initial Report.
Washington’s Certificate of Formation costs $180 base plus the $20 online processing fee when filed online ($200 total). Include each executor’s name and address, required agent/consent and principal-office details, and a specific dissolution date if the company will not be perpetual. Complete the current duration and effective-date selections. The Initial Report is free when submitted with formation; if deferred, it is due within 120 days and carries a separate $10 base fee. The current online flow permits deferral. An additional $100 expedited priority is generally reviewed within three working days, subject to the current queue and service conditions.
- Base filing fee
- $180
- Online processing fee
- +$20 ($200 total online)
- Mail fee
- $180 — no processing fee
- Processing (online)
- Check current queue
- Processing (mail)
- Check current queue
- Expedited option
- +$100
What the Certificate of Formation Does
The Certificate of Formation is your LLC's birth certificate. When the Secretary of State accepts your filing, your LLC exists: liability protection attaches, the name is claimed, and you can bank and contract as the company.
The Filing Walkthrough
Create an account with the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS)
Washington's online portal handles formation now and your Annual Reports every year after.
Start a new domestic LLC filing
The portal walks the Certificate field by field and checks your name against state records.
Enter your details and pay
Enter the LLC name, required agent/consent, principal-office details, each executor’s name and address, duration and effective-date selections. Review $200 online total and any priority choice at checkout.
Choose whether to include or defer the Initial Report
Submit the Initial Report with formation at no additional report fee. If deferred, file within 120 days and pay the applicable $10 base report fee plus any actual service charge.
Download your confirmed Certificate
Save the accepted filing and confirmation. Banks choose their own documentation and account-approval requirements.
Every Line of the Certificate
LLC name
With "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company," distinguishable on state records — verified in Step 1.
Registered agent & address
Name of your registered agent and their Washington street address.
Principal office address
Your LLC's main business address.
Executor information and authorized execution
Provide the name and address of each executor—the person forming the LLC—and complete the authorized-person execution statement.
Duration and conditional dissolution date
Choose perpetual duration, or provide the applicable specific dissolution date/duration. Review any delayed effective date and required consents in the current SOS instructions.
Payment
$180 base, $200 online with the processing fee, plus $100 more for expedited service.
Online vs. Mail: Weigh Your Trade-Off
Washington Filing Cost & Speed Calculator
See the real trade-off between online and mail
Online formation: $200 total. Paper base: $180. The Initial Report is free with formation; deferral adds a $10 base fee within 120 days. Check current processing and priority terms.
After Approval: Your Immediate Next Moves
- Save your confirmed Certificate — banks require it alongside your EIN letter.
- Create your operating agreement — the document that overrides Washington's default rules.
- Get your free EIN at IRS.gov, then register with the Washington Department of Revenue.
- Confirm your Initial Report status — automatic if you formed online; due within 120 days if you filed by mail.
Choose a route using the actual queue, delivery needs and Initial Report choice. Keep the accepted filing and report confirmation; the online processing charge is not a guarantee of speed or an automatic report filing.
- ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
- ✓Optional formation assistance; confirm filing scope, service pricing and submission responsibilities.
- ✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
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Executors, duration and Initial Report choice
Washington’s Certificate of Formation costs $180 base plus the $20 online processing fee when filed online ($200 total). Include each executor’s name and address, required agent/consent and principal-office details, and a specific dissolution date if the company will not be perpetual. Complete the current duration and effective-date selections. The Initial Report is free when submitted with formation; if deferred, it is due within 120 days and carries a separate $10 base fee. The current online flow permits deferral. An additional $100 expedited priority is generally reviewed within three working days, subject to the current queue and service conditions.
Washington LLC — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. For filing and ongoing compliance, confirm the requirements with the responsible state agency. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.
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