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Starting October 1: Some business services are now subject to retail sales tax, as required by state law, ESSB 5814. When you buy these services, vendors should add sales tax to your bill. If you sell these services, you should begin collecting retail sales tax. Learn more about Services newly subject to retail sales tax.
Register trade names
You must register a trade name, or “doing business as” name, per RCW 19.80.10 for:
- A Sole Proprietor or Partnership using a name other than the full legal name of the owner or owners.
- A Corporation, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Company operating under a name other than the name registered with the Office of the Secretary of State.
- Any business name you are using that is not your full legal name.
Registering your trade name does not protect the name from use by others. A business can register an unlimited number of trade names.
A trade name will remain registered indefinitely until the owner requests that it be canceled. There is no charge for canceling a trade name.
If you also want to file a trademark or service mark, you may want to consult an attorney. If your business activities will extend beyond Washington State, it may be to your benefit to file for a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. If your business activities will stay within Washington, it may be to your benefit to file for a trademark with the Secretary of State.
Find out if a name is already in use
- Our business lookup: General license
- Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search: Corporation and limited liability company names.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Commission: Search for federally registered names.
Register a trade name
- File a Business License Application online with My DOR.
- Pay the $5 fee for each trade name registered and the Business License Application processing fee (non-refundable), see instructions on how to determine your processing fee.
Cancel a trade name
- Online with My DOR.
- By paper, using the Business Information Change form. Provide your Unified Business Identifier number (UBI), sign and date your request.
See also the Trade Name Registration- Business Bulletin
How to apply
Online
Add a state endorsement to your business
Add a city license to your business
Apply for a new business license
Online assistance
Setting up your business licensing and tax account
How to add a city license endorsement
By mail
Complete the following and mail to:
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
