4 Best Washington LLC Services

Get Mark Cuban's recommended LLC service (ZenBusiness) for $0 + state fees. Alternatively, you can compare the top services below.

At ZenBusiness we have formed over 400,000 LLCs

Excellent 4.6 out of 5 stars 11,784 reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars

Rated #1 by Mark Cuban, Forbes, & NerdWallet

✨ ZenBusiness ✨

If you’re looking for the best LLC website overall, go with us at ZenBusiness. ZenBusiness is a Texas-based company that has helped form more than 400,000 businesses since 2015, with positive reviews online to back it up.

What’s unique is that we are a socially conscious organization focused on doing good while growing as a company. ZenBusiness has a partnership with Kiva.org to help lift people out of poverty through financial lending and loan money to help women- and minority-owned businesses get off the ground.

  • ZenBusiness has the best starting package available that includes all the necessities when creating an LLC — totally free. With ZenBusiness forming your LLC for free ($79 less than LegalZoom), all you have to cover is the state fee.
  • Customer feedback is a major strength for ZenBusiness. There are 10,000+ reviews online, and nearly all of them are positive.
  • ZenBusiness has a 100% accuracy guarantee, so you can sleep easy at night knowing everything was filed properly.

If you want to form an LLC with a socially conscious provider and get the best overall value, choose ZenBusiness.

Start Your Washington LLC

LegalZoom

With LegalZoom, you’re getting LLC service from the biggest name in this industry. With millions of customers and a sky-high advertising budget, LegalZoom has a ton of name recognition. The company also has a mostly positive customer feedback reputation.

However, LegalZoom’s baseline LLC package costs $79 (plus your state’s fee) and doesn’t include many features. If you prioritize customer volume and brand power, LegalZoom’s prices might be worth paying, but there are definitely cheaper options out there.

Between LegalZoom and ZenBusiness, your decision may depend on what type of company you like to work with. Both companies have plenty of experience and know how to get your LLC formed in a compliant manner. However, while LegalZoom is a massive corporation, ZenBusiness has more of a personal touch.

With ZenBusiness, you’ll receive more responsive and consistent customer support, significantly lower prices, and no-nonsense LLC formation packages.

Northwest

Northwest offers personalized customer support that many customers appreciate, but you’ll have to pay a high price to get it. That’s because Northwest charges at least $225 to form your LLC, compared to ZenBusiness’ free offer. Even though Northwest includes a year of registered agent service, we still don’t think they come close to matching the Zen value proposition.

If registered agent service is a high priority for you, Northwest could be a good fit, as they have reasonable rates for this service. In addition, while most competitors typically only scan the government documents they’re legally required to scan, Northwest scans all documents they receive on your behalf.

Northwest gets good customer feedback too, but its reviews number in the hundreds compared to the 10,000+ reviews for ZenBusiness. And, just to reiterate, we can save you $225 over Northwest for LLC formation service.If personalized support is something you highly value, Northwest Registered Agent is a solid choice. If not, you can save hundreds of dollars by going with a competitor like ZenBusiness.

Incfile

IncFile is one of just two companies we’re aware of that can match ZenBusiness’ offer of a free LLC formation that only requires you to pay your state’s fee. IncFile even includes a year of registered agent service in every one of its LLC formation packages, including the free option.

IncFile also competes on even footing with ZenBusiness in the realm of customer feedback — both companies have great average scores and 10,000+ reviews. And did we mention both of these companies will form your new LLC for free?

Customer service is one area where IncFile lags behind competitors like ZenBusiness. At times, IncFile’s response times leave much to be desired, and we’ve even had several support emails go unanswered. Here at ZenBusiness, we pride ourselves in our helpful and responsive customer service.

If you want a free LLC service and ZenBusiness doesn’t feel like a good fit for some reason, give IncFile a look.

Best LLC Service

Take it from real customers

Amazing Company To Work With


They got my business up and running in less than one week from start to finish. Every step was easy to understand. I literally paid nothing to start. They have extra services at cost but they are not mandatory. I love my experience so much that I will be sending others to them to start their businesses as well.

– Nicole Clewley

Easy to use. Worry free


Easy to use. Completed with no prior experience on how to set up LLC.

– Nick

I had a phenomenal experience with Zem…


I had a phenomenal experience with Zem business. The whole process was quick and easy!!!

– Radiantly Renee

over 400,000 customers agree!

FAQ's

  • We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Washington. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.

  • One of the most important steps in forming a Washington LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the Secretary of State’s corporation search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Washington, check out our full article on the topic.

  • You can fill out or download the Certificate of Formation on the State Corporation Commission’s website.

  • In Washington, an LLC’s ongoing maintenance requirements include the annual report. This filing is due each year by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month, and there is a $60 filing fee.

  • Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Washington state law. For more information about business licenses and more in this state, check out the state’s highly convenient Business Licensing Wizard.

  • The Secretary of State should be able to process your LLC’s formation within two business days if you file online. That’s because online orders are automatically expedited, and you can expedite a paper filing for an additional $50. Otherwise, paper filings usually take a couple of weeks.

  • If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Washington registered agents.

  • Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the state’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to Washington LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.

  • If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Washington. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in this state. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in Washington for more information.

Washington LLC Fast Facts

  • LLC Formation Speed: 2 business days for online submissions ($20 expediting fee automatically applied), 2 weeks for hard copies (2-day service available for an extra $50)
  • Cost to File a WA LLC: $180, plus the service’s fee if you use one
  • How to File Your Certificate of Formation: Online or by mail
  • Annual Reports: Due each year by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month; costs $60 to file
  • State General Business License: Required for many businesses (provided certain criteria are met); industry licenses may also apply
  • PLLCs: Required for professional service businesses in WA

What Is a Washington LLC?

LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnerships, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes.

An LLC may also elect to be taxed like a corporation, although this is not a very common option.

There are similarities to corporations too, especially when it comes to financial responsibilities. In an LLC, the owners or members are not usually personally accountable for the financial status of the business. This means that if someone sues your LLC, your personal assets are not at risk.

In Washington, LLCs are not legally required to draft an operating agreement, but it’s strongly recommended. This document can help clear up any disagreements between your owners, and it’s also just generally convenient to have a roadmap of your LLC’s operational aspects.

The state of Washington has moderately high fees for LLC formations, as you’ll pay $200 for online filings or $180 for a paper form. You can pay by check, money order, or credit/debit card. The state typically processes online submissions within two business days, while paper forms can take up to two weeks.

The ongoing LLC maintenance requirements in Washington include the annual report. It’s due each year by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month, and it has a $60 filing fee.

The Total Cost of Forming and Maintaining an LLC in Washington

In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are quite a few other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining a Washington business. You cannot form an LLC in Washington without filing the Certificate of Formation, the document that officially registers your business within the state.

After that, you’ll have to file an Initial Report, which is due within 120 days of forming your business. This simple filing just updates the state about your business’s standing. The filing fee is just $10. Another important filing is the business license application, required for all entities in the state. The application fee is $90.

Every year, you’ll also be expected to submit the Annual Report. This report, much like the Initial Report, updates the state about certain basic but vital information about your business, such as your registered agent and business address. The filing fee is $60.

And, of course, you’ll have taxes to account for. Washington is a bit unique in that they do not charge an income tax for corporations or individuals. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook in regard to taxes. You’ll still have to pay federal taxes, along with several others.

For instance, if you have employees, you’ll pay unemployment insurance tax. If you sell goods or services, you’ll pay sales and use tax. Depending on the nature of your business, there could be other taxes required, so check with the Washington Department of Revenue to make sure.

Other than that, the other potential expenses only apply to certain businesses. These include things like professional or industry-specific business licenses and business insurance.

Pros and Cons of Creating a Limited Liability Company

An LLC is one of the most popular entity types nationwide. But it isn’t the right type for everyone.

Only you can pick which entity type best fits you and your business; after all, you understand your business idea better than anyone. You have a clear vision for your products and services, both present and future.

To truly determine whether an LLC is right for you, it’s helpful to consider the advantages and disadvantages of LLCs.

Pros

  • Easier to form and maintain than a corporation
  • Personal asset protection
  • Flexible taxation structure; can pay as a partnership or a corporation
  • Business name is protected for exclusive use within state boundaries

Cons

  • No authority to issue stock, so opportunities to raise capital are limited
  • Fees are higher than partnerships or sole proprietorships
  • Requires more paperwork than some entrepreneurs are comfortable with

Should You Form a Washington LLC or Corporation?

Common characteristics

There are some common aspects of the LLC and the corporation, starting with the personal asset protection they both provide. Also known as limited liability, this personal asset protection ensures that if your business is sued, only the business assets are at risk. Meanwhile, your personal assets — like your house, car, personal bank accounts, investments, etc. — are protected by your LLC or corporation’s business structure.

In addition, LLCs and corporations both provide their owners with business name exclusivity. If you own and operate a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you will not have exclusive rights to your business name. Instead, if another company decides to use your name as its own, you won’t be able to stop them. In fact, they could even register your business name and gain exclusive rights to it, forcing you to come up with a new one.

Advantages of the LLC

In general, an LLC is quicker and easier to form than a corporation. LLCs usually need to provide less information for their formation documents than corporations do, and there are fewer steps in the process as well. For instance, LLCs don’t need to draft corporate bylaws, name officers or board members, hold initial board meetings, or issue stock. On the other hand, corporations need to do all of these things and more.

The LLC is also a less rigid business structure that allows its owners greater flexibility. The business structure of a corporation is inflexible, with many regulations dictating how the business should look and function. Meanwhile, LLCs have options for business management structure and ownership responsibilities that corporations simply don’t have.

Another even more valuable option LLCs have is that they can choose how they want to be taxed. Most LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities, which means the business itself does not pay taxes, but the profits are passed through the LLC itself to its owners, who pay taxes on this money on their personal returns. However, LLCs can also opt to be taxed like corporations (either as a C corporation or an S corporation), giving them more options for taxation than a corporation has.

Advantages of the corporation

Corporations have some advantages too, like the ability to sell stock. It’s quite difficult for an LLC to attract outside investments because it cannot issue stock. The vast majority of investors prefer stock as their investment medium, and it’s also very rare to see venture capitalists investing in LLCs. For these reasons, the corporation is a much better option for businesses looking to attract investments.

In addition, the corporation has been around for hundreds of years, while the LLC is a newer addition to the American business landscape. This means that the corporation has more established legalities and also that it’s easier to expand into other states because the corporation’s structure is essentially the same no matter where you form it.

How to Set Up a Washington LLC on Your Own

Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.

You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Washington, but here’s a quick look at the process:

Choose a business name

Every LLC in Washington needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.

Appoint a WA registered agent

As we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In all states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.

File the Certificate of Formation

This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the state of Washington. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Washington has a $180 filing fee.

Setting up the LLC is as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:

Register for and pay taxes

If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are state-specific taxes, too. Washington’s tax policy is a bit unique since they don’t levy an income tax. Instead, they have a business and occupation tax. The rate ultimately depends on how your business is classified. If you’re involved in retail sales, you’ll also be expected to collect and pay sales taxes (6.5%). For more information on these and other miscellaneous business taxes, check out the Washington Department of Revenue.

Get licenses and permits

Most businesses in Washington will need to obtain a business license if they meet certain criteria. One criterion is a gross income exceeding $12,000, so it applies to most businesses. There’s also a good chance that you’ll need to obtain professional licenses, such as those regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Create an operating agreement

Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.

File your annual report

Each year, your LLC will need to file an annual report to update the state about the standing of your business. It’s due every year by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month. There’s a $60 filing fee.

Obtain business insurance

Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.

Get a business bank account

You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).

This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Washington LLC Formation Guide.

Best LLC Formation Services in All 50 States

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