Validate the legitimacy of your business in Washington with a Certificate of Existence, a crucial document that extends beyond compliance; explore our guide below for seamless navigation and to secure the active status of your entity in the Evergreen State.
In Washington, companies may need to verify that they’re legally authorized to operate in the state and have kept up to date on filings, fees, and regulations. A Certificate of Existence (COE), more commonly known as a Certificate of Good Standing in other states, accomplishes this. Although a Washington Certificate of Existence is relatively simple to acquire, the behind-the-scenes compliance rules that make it valid can be confusing and overwhelming. This article will take you step by step through the process of obtaining a Washington COE.
A COE is verification that a business exists and is eligible to do business legally, under a unique name, within the state. It also confirms that the business entity has met all requirements for a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or other officially registered company. The Washington COE enables a business to conduct several activities, such as securing funding, contracting with the state, or doing business with another company inside or outside of Washington. As the registrar of corporations, the office of the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporate Division issues the COE when requested.
Generally, a COE verifies to a business or another state that a corporation, Washington LLC, or other registered entity is eligible to do business in Washington and has met all of the following compliance requirements:
As you can see, there’s a lot involved. Read about our worry free compliance service to see how we can help you stay in good standing and let you focus on other things.
A Certificate of Existence isn’t necessary for a corporation or LLC to be compliant with Washington’s requirements but could be needed if the company wants to:
Not all business entities in Washington are eligible to request and use a Certificate of Existence. Those that are eligible include companies that have registered with the Secretary of State (SOS), such as:
Businesses that don’t need to be registered and aren’t eligible to receive a COE are:
The first and most crucial step toward getting a COE is to check that your business complies with the laws governing corporations and other registered entities. This is an objective decision based on data from the SOS’s Business Division. Taxes, annual reports, and licenses need to be in order and current. An outdated annual report or unpaid state taxes can derail progress toward obtaining a COE and should be corrected before requesting one.
Washington’s SOS has a business webpage to streamline your COE request. For a fee, you can request a Certificate of Existence online, by mail, or in person. You can expedite the process for an additional fee. To request online:
To request your Certificate of Existence by mail, you can also send a paper application to the Business Division of the Washington Secretary of State. Include your company’s name, address, and any other information that would specifically identify it. The division will run a search for your current data. Your certificate will typically be sent to your email address or be delivered via the USPS.
You may also make your request in person at the Dolliver Building at 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia WA 98501. If the office receives the request before 3:30 p.m., it’s typically processed the same day.
Before taking any steps, research whether the Washington Certificate of Existence will meet your needs. Check the lists above to ensure yours is one of the acceptable businesses. Then review the list of uses; if you have a need not listed there, check with the Business Division at (360) 725-0377 to confirm the COE will apply.
Another factor for invalidity is whether the other parties in your selected transaction will accept the COE or will need other pieces of information as well. Validity depends on the state or entity requesting the COE. In most cases, the Certificate of Existence will need to be less than 60 days old, although some agencies have stricter requirements. Some may accept one that’s up to 90 days old.
Compliance may not be simple to keep up with, especially when considering all of the other aspects that make a business go round. At ZenBusiness, we understand that your business needs don’t stop after the business has been registered. ZenBusiness can help keep you in good standing with our worry free compliance service. With this service, we not only help keep your business in compliance, but we can also secure a Washington Certificate of Existence for you if you need one; you just pay the state fees. And, if you don’t have the worry-free compliance but still need a COE, our Certificate of Good Standing service can help.
Check the Washington Secretary of State website to see what the most current information is on fees and methods of payment available.
As mentioned above it will take one business day, probably only one to two hours, if the request is hand-carried to the Business Division office. If the request is mailed, or if it’s through the online service, processing will take one to two days, not including mail time.
Yes. The Corporations Division will expedite its Certificate of Existence service for mailed and in-person service for an additional fee. Check the SOS website for the current fees. Online and paper expedited requests are generally processed in two business days. In-person requests received before 3:30 p.m. are processed the same day, usually within an hour. If the request is mailed, be sure to write “EXPEDITED” on the envelope.
No, a Certificate of Existence is a verification by the state that you’re in compliance with state regulations and can legally do business in Washington.
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.
Washington Business Resources
Get Your Certificate of Good Standing
Ready to Start Your Washington LLC?