How to file a Business License Application for a Sole Proprietorship (17:01)
If the business structure is a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you may need the following documentation to complete a business license application:
Section 1 of the application, About Your Business, will request basic information about the owners, business name, and whether or not the business will be hiring employees.
If the owner has a spouse:
If the owner does NOT have a spouse, click Next to continue.
General Partnerships require a minimum of two owners or officers.
Business names and registering a trade name
Section 2 of the application requests information about the location of your business. Based on your location(s), you may also be presented with questions relevant for city endorsements (licenses) as well.
This page includes questions about any relationship to a previous or existing business.
Answer whether you will you be traveling to other cities in Washington (other than your primary business location). Home cleaning, landscaping, and construction contractors are common examples of businesses that may travel to offer services or products in additional cities.
If yes, you most likely will need a city license endorsement for each city. You may be able to apply online for a city license with this application. City licenses available with this application display after you select yes. If a city is not listed, you must contact them directly to determine their licensing requirements.
If no, click Next to continue. Skip to Physical location questions.
Answer whether you are applying for a nonprofit city license in any of the cities that are traveling to conduct business.
Physical location questions
For many cities in Washington State, you can apply for a city license as part of state business license application.
If the city license where your business is located is not available through our application, you will need to follow-up with them directly. Your business license application will skip these pages and go directly to the Business Activity section.
If you can apply for a city license as part of this application, you will be presented with questions about the physical location of your business. These questions are specific to the city where your business is physically located. Be prepared to answer questions about the first date of business in the location, estimated annual revenue, and whether this location will have employees. You will also be presented with questions about the characteristics of the property, including automated smoke detection and alarm monitoring services.
When you have completed each page of questions, click Next to continue.
Depending on your business activities, there may be additional state (specialty) endorsements required with your business license. By selecting the description(s) that best describes your business activities, we can help determine if there are additional state endorsements needed. State endorsement information will appear later in the application.
Section 4 of the application will be presented to you if you answered that the business intends to hire employees (adults and minors). By completing this Business License application, you will be registered for workers’ compensation at the Department of Labor & Industries and unemployment insurance at the Employment Security Department.
If you answered that your business will not hire employees, you will presented with a question whether you will hire contractors.
Be prepared to enter the following information:
Section 5 of the application is based on the activities you selected and if your business may need additional state endorsements (specialty endorsements). The forms that you can complete with the online business license application will be presented in this section. Learn more about state endorsements and fees
If your business structure is a Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Liability Company, or Limited Liability Partnership, you must file with the Washington Secretary of State before completing the Business License Application.
Before beginning this process, you will need the following information:
The first section of the application, About Your Business will request basic information about the owners, business name, and whether the business will be hiring employees.
This page includes questions about any relationship to a previous or existing business.
Answer whether you will you be traveling to other cities in Washington (other than your primary business location). Home cleaning, landscaping, and construction contractors are common examples of businesses that may travel to offer services or products in additional cities.
Answer whether you are applying for a nonprofit city license in any of the cities that are traveling to conduct business.
For many cities in Washington State, you can apply for a city license as part of state business license application.
If the city license where your business is located is not available through our application, you will need to follow-up with them directly. Your business license application will skip these pages and go directly to the Business Activity section.
If you can apply for a city license as part of this application, you will be presented with questions about the physical location of your business. These questions are specific to the city where your business is physically located. Be prepared to answer questions about the first date of business in the location, estimated annual revenue, and whether this location will have employees. You will also be presented with questions about the characteristics of the property, including automated smoke detection and alarm monitoring services.
When you have completed each page of questions, click Next to continue.
Depending on your business activities, there may be additional state (specialty) endorsements required with your business license. By selecting the description(s) that best describes your business activities, we can help determine if there are additional state endorsements needed. State endorsement information will appear later in the application.
Section 4 of the application will be presented to you if you answered that the business intends to hire employees (adults and minors). By completing this Business License application, you will be registered for workers’ compensation at the Department of Labor & Industries and unemployment insurance at the Employment Security Department.
If you answered that your business will not hire employees, you will presented with a question whether you will hire contractors.
Be prepared to enter the following information:
Section 5 of the application is based on the activities you selected and if your business may need additional state endorsements (specialty endorsements). The forms that you can complete with the online business license application will be presented in this section. Learn more about state endorsements and fees