Registrations and filings required for businesses - Secretary of State

You may be required to have a license, registration, or permit from the list below based on the business activity you selected from the Business Licensing Wizard. For more information, please contact the Secretary of State at 360-725-0377.

Certificate of Limited Partnership

Purpose

To form a Limited Partnership in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Charitable Solicitations Registration

Purpose

Required to fundraise from the public for charitable purposes; to increase transparency and accountability of organizations soliciting funds from the public; and provide the public with information to assist with their giving decisions.

How to submit

Online only.

Processing time

Standard online processing - up to four business days.

Fees

$60 - Initial registration
$40 - Renewal

License renewals

Annual renewal required.

Charitable Trust Registration

Purpose

To protect the publics interest in the property and assets committed to charitable purposes in the state through registration, information, and enforcement.

How to submit

Paper submission - Registration

Online required - Renewal

Processing time

Same day - Registration

Expedite - up to 3 business days - Registration

Standard processing - up to 10 business days - Registration

Standard online processing - up to 4 business days - Renewal

Fees

Registration
$25 - Filing fee
Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

Renewal
$25 - Filing fee

License renewals

Annual renewal required.

Commercial Fundraiser - Registration

Purpose

To be able to solicit or receive contributions for or on behalf of any charitable organization or charitable purpose for compensation or other consideration.

How to submit

Online only.

Processing time

Standard online processing - up to 4 business days

Fees

$300 - Initial registration
$225 - Annual renewal

License renewals

Annual renewal required.

Cooperative Association - Registration

Purpose

To conduct any lawful business on the cooperative plan.

How to submit

Paper submission - Registration

Online or paper submission - Annual report

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$180 - Filing
$10 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and pay an annual fee.

Foreign Entity Registration - For-profit business entities

Purpose

To allow a Foreign (non-Washington) Entity to transact business in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Bank Corp or Bank LLCs are paper only

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Foreign Entity Registration - Nonprofit business entities

Purpose

To allow a Foreign (non-Washington) Entity to transact business in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Paper submission - Registration (online currently not available)

Online or paper submission - Annual report

Credit Unions are paper only.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$50 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$30 - Standard paper filing
$10 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

Below fees are in addition to annual report fees above

$50 - Attorney General Charitable Asset Protection Account fee (gross revenue $500,000 or more)
$10 - Attorney General Charitable Asset Protection Account fee (gross revenue under $500,000)

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Fundraising Service Contract - Registration

Purpose

For charitable organizations to be able to contract for fundraising services with a commercial fundraiser.

How to submit

Online only.

Processing time

Standard online processing - up to 4 business days

Fees

$20

License renewals

Due when a Charity and Commercial Fundraiser enter into a contract - no annual renewal.

Limited Liability Company - Certificate of Formation

Purpose

To be able to form a Limited Liability Company in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Paper standard filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Limited Liability Limited Partnerships - Certificate

Purpose

To change or elect a Limited Partnership to a become a Limited Liability Limited Partnership.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Limited Liability Partnership - Registration

Purpose

To be able to form a Limited Liability Partnership in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

LLPs are required to pay an annual fee accompanied by a notice of the number of partners.

Massachusetts Trust - Registration

Purpose

Unincorporated business associates created by common law. Holding property to be managed by trustees.

How to submit

Paper submission - Registration

Online or paper submission - Annual report

Processing time

Same day
Expedite - up to three business days
Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$180 - Filing fee
$70 - Annual Report
Expedite fee: additional $100
Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Nonprofit Corporation - Articles of Incorporation

Purpose

To be able to form a Nonprofit Corporation in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$50 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$30 - Paper filing
$10 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

Below fees are in addition to origination and annual report fees above:
$50 - Attorney General Charitable Asset Protection Account fee (gross revenue $500,000 or more)
$10 - Attorney General Charitable Asset Protection Account fee (gross revenue under $500,000)

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Nonprofit Professional Service Corporation - Articles of Incorporation

Purpose

To be able to form a Nonprofit Professional Service Corporation in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$50 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$30 - Standard paper filing
$10 - Annual Report

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Professional Limited Liability Company - Registration

Purpose

To be able to work as a Professional Limited Liability Company in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedited fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and paying an annual fee.

Profit Corporation - Articles of Incorporation

Purpose

To be able to form a Profit Corporation in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and pay an annual fee.

Profit Professional Service Corporation - Registration

Purpose

To be able to form a Profit Professional Service Corporation in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Online or paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - up to 3 business days

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

$200 - Online filing (includes online processing fee)
$180 - Standard paper filing
$70 - Annual Report

Expedite fee: additional $100

Same day service fee: additional $150

License renewals

This registration is good for one year. State law requires filing an annual report and pay an annual fee.

Trademark - Registration

Purpose

To register a trademark in the State of Washington.

How to submit

Paper submission.

Processing time

Same day

Expedite - Up to three business days 

Standard processing - up to 10 business days

Fees

Registration: $55 - Per Classification Number
Renewal: $50 - Per Classification Number (every five years)
Expedited fee: Additional $100
Same day service fee: Additional $150

License renewals

Every five years. Renewal fee required.