ZenBusiness reviews its own products and services and compares them to others in the industry.
Compare the best Washington registered agent services below or choose ZenBusiness today.
*SPECIAL OFFER: $99 + WA state fees for the first year when you switch to ZenBusiness! Renews at $199/yr, subject to change.
Last Updated: June 9, 2025
Searching for the best registered agent service in Washington for your business? We’ve analyzed top providers, considering factors like price, features, customer support, and reliability to help you make the right choice. Whether you prioritize affordability, legal expertise, or customized service, this guide presents the best options currently available.
Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has quickly become a top player in the business formation and compliance space. With over 800,000 businesses formed and a strong reputation, our registered agent service offers solid value and top-tier support in Washington.
✔ First year is 50% off at $99 plus state fees (renews at $119/year)✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ 22562+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating✔ Responsive, award-winning customer support via phone, email, and chat✔ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
✘ Registered agent service is not included with formation packages✘ No multi-state discount for businesses operating in more than one state
Rocket Lawyer is a legal services platform that also offers registered agent services as part of its suite of tools. While not the cheapest option, it may appeal to users who want bundled legal help. If you find value in their legal services plan, Rocket Lawyer is an intriguing choice for registered agent services in Washington. If you don’t need its subscription service, you can probably find a more suitable alternative.
✔ Includes access to legal documents and attorney consultations✔ 30-day money-back guarantee✔ Discount of 50% with legal plan subscription
✘ Registered agent service is basic and lacks advanced features✘ Higher ongoing costs unless you’re on a subscription✘ Not a core focus of their platform — limited functionality compared to standalone services
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, has been a popular choice for business formation and compliance services in Washington since 2004. With over 1 million businesses served, Bizee is best known for its basic LLC formation package (only pay Washington state fees), which includes one year of registered agent service.
✔ Free 1st year with LLC formation✔ $119/year after the first free year✔ Good value for basic compliance needs
✘ Registered agent service must be manually renewed✘ Customer support is slower and less detailed than top competitors✘ No refund policy on services once submitted
LegalZoom is a household name in online legal services, with over 3 million businesses served. Its registered agent service is backed by brand trust and comes with useful compliance tools. While its registered agent service comes at a higher price, the added perks and company reputation may justify the cost for some Washington business owners.
✔ Compliance calendar and deadline reminders included✔ 60-day money-back guarantee✔ Large support team with extended hours
✘ $249/year pricing is one of the highest on this list✘ No first-year discount or bundling options✘ Less value for cost compared to smaller, more focused competitors
Northwest Registered Agent has been offering registered agent services since 1998 and is known for being a solid choice in Washington. Northwest Registered Agent now has thousands of registered agent service subscribers across the country.
✔ $125/year pricing✔ Scans all mail, not just government documents
✘ Not the cheapest option for LLC formation✘ Limited refund policy✘ No online compliance dashboard or automation tools
If you want to receive personalized registered agent service at reasonable price points, Northwest Registered Agent might be worth a look. However, keep in mind that Northwest charges at least $39 to form an LLC, so there are many cheaper options for that service in Washington.
Switch to ZENBUSINESS Today!
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 50% off Washington Registered Agent Services.
Every business entity in the state of Washington is required to have a registered agent. In fact, you won’t be allowed to finish the formation process for your company until you designate your registered agent.
The most important aspect of this role is receiving document deliveries from the state government and process servers, alerting your business of the delivery, and forwarding the documents to you. The registered agent’s role is so important because it establishes a point of contact for your business with the state and others so that they have a reliable place to get in touch with an official representative of your company at any time.
Washington actually has two different kinds of registered agents: commercial and noncommercial. There is no difference between these types of agents, except for the fact that a commercial registered agent has filed a listing statement with the state and also paid a filing fee.
The Washington Secretary of State provides a list of commercial registered agents currently serving in the state. Please note that this is not an endorsement of any of these agents; it’s simply the state providing regularly requested information.
Each state has its own rules and regulations surrounding registered agents. For the most part, these laws are fairly similar, but it’s always worth taking a look to see what Washington requires.
In Washington, we’ll need to take a look at the Uniform Business Corporations Code, which says:
All of the companies we discussed above meet these regulations and are options for Washington registered agent service. When you’ve made your choice, you can indicate your registered agent’s name and address on your Certificate of Formation.
As you’ve probably noticed, the registered agent services we’ve listed here serve businesses across the country. But if you Google “Washington Registered Agent,” you’ll probably see results for local services, too. These can be local entrepreneurs with a knack for clerical tasks, offices dedicated to serving businesses in their counties, or statewide companies.
On the one hand, using a local service can have its advantages. Some will be cheaper than nationwide firms (but not always). And each state has its own nuances for business compliance requirements, including Washington. A registered agent service that services Washington alone may have detailed knowledge about those requirements. Granted, most national services do an excellent job of understanding local requirements. But they might not give you the same “homegrown Washington” feeling as a local agent service.
That said, national businesses like ZenBusiness give you streamlined solutions. Let’s say you’re using a local Washington-only registered agent service, but it’s time to add locations in Oregon. You could search for an additional agent that services Oregon businesses. But that’s going to require a lot of additional paperwork, including new receipts, new automatic payments, more emails…you get the idea. But if you’re using a national service, you can cut down the “new” paperwork and focus on what really matters: growing your business.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and there’s no “wrong” answer. The most important thing is that you appoint one so you can run a compliant Washington business.
The role of a Washington registered agent is critical to your company’s compliance and legal standing. This position requires dealing with seemingly simple tasks, yet if they’re handled incorrectly, they could cost you a considerable amount of money in fines and could even potentially see the state dissolve your business.
While you can always change your registered agent down the line, we think it’s essential to pick the right registered agent for your business starting at the formation phase. You should also keep an eye on your compliance standing to ensure nothing goes awry along the way.
With ZenBusiness, you can purchase reliable registered agent service at an affordable rate, leaving this role in the hands of experts while you focus on growing your business.
In Washington, there aren’t many complicated requirements for registered agent eligibility. Any individual or business entity authorized to conduct business in the state can serve as your company’s registered agent. The only requirements are that they have a permanent address in Washington and that your company itself can’t serve as its own registered agent (although you or one of your co-owners may assume this role individually). Also, the agent must be present at the registered office during all normal business hours to accept service of process.
Washington is a bit unusual because it maintains a system of commercial and noncommercial registered agents. But let’s clear things up: both types of agents fulfill the state’s statutory requirement, and they both accomplish the exact same tasks. A commercial agent simply registers with the state to be included on the state database of agents, essentially advertising their services as a business venture. Noncommercial agents, however, are appointed on a private basis.
Yes. If your registered agent is an individual, that person must live in Washington. If your agent is a business entity, that company must either be a domestic Washington business or one with the authority to conduct business in the state.
Washington actually gives you two methods to change your registered agent. If you have not yet filed your annual report and the time frame is still open, you can simply make the change on your annual report filing. At all other times of year, you can file the Statement of Change/Designation of Agent form online or by mail. Neither method incurs an additional fee (the Statement of Change is free, and there is nothing added to the $70 annual report fee if you change your agent that way).
If your registered agent chooses to resign and no longer serves as your agent, they will notify you and the Secretary of State by filing a Statement of Resignation. This form does not become effective until the 31st day after filing it, which gives you time to find a replacement agent and avoid any lapses in your agent coverage.
As long as you file your paperwork in a timely fashion and don’t allow any lapses in your registered agent coverage, you won’t incur any additional penalties or fees. That keeps your filing fee at zero for the Statement of Change and $70 for the full annual report.
One common option is to serve as your company’s own registered agent or enlist the assistance of a trusted friend or family member. The other route is to hire an attorney or accountant to handle this role. Maybe you prefer the added professionalism these people can provide, maybe you have an existing relationship with an attorney or accountant you trust, etc.
The best place to learn more about forming a Washington LLC is our step-by-step guide. You might also be interested in checking out our list of the best Washington LLC formation services.
Washington Business Resources
Best Registered Agent Services Reviewed in All States
We break down the best registered agent services in every state. View all of our guides below.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 800,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
Get 50% off when you switch to ZenBusiness for your registered agent today!
Get Your Registered Agent