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LLC 101 Guide

Unit 3 · Washington

Foreign LLC Registration in Washington (2026): 5 Tasks and the 2 Best Services

For registering an out-of-state LLC in Washington in 2026, this unit puts Mainstay Filing ($199) and WA Registered Agent.org ($199) at the top of the class, in that order. Registering takes 5 tasks and a $180 state fee, plus $70 each time the report comes around.

Prepared by the LLC 101 Guide instructors

Unit overview

What the state charges to register
$180
sos.wa.gov (page read October 2026)
Good-standing proof
60 days
No older than
Annual report
$70
Annual report
What the state collects in three years
$320
Service fees not included
Tasks
5
In order

Unit goals

  • When registration is required
  • The official form and fee
  • The recurring filing
  • Our recommendations, with reasons

The Washington honor roll

Cost over three years leads, then assignments completed, renewal price, Washington fit and plain pricing (grading page).

Top of the class

1. Mainstay Filing: best for several registrations

Our first pick$199 plus the state fee, then $149 a year

Mainstay Filing comes out first, and the reason is that a $199 service fee plus Washington's fee, then $149 a year for the agent.

Against WA Registered Agent.org the three-year premium is $100, outweighed by the 31% weight on assignments completed.

After the free first year, the agent costs $149 a year in any state.

What the price covers

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • The registered agent costs nothing in year one
  • Covers all fifty states

What works

  • The same fee in every state
  • $199 to register
  • Year-one agent is covered

What to weigh

  • WA Registered Agent.org charges $50 less for the agent
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Top of the class

2. WA Registered Agent.org: best for an inexpensive Washington filing

Washington specialist$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Our second choice, WA Registered Agent.org: $199 over the state fee to register, then $99 yearly.

What the price covers

  • Registration paperwork handled
  • One year of agent service is part of the price

What works

  • The agent renews at $99
  • First year of agent service costs nothing extra
  • $199 above the state fee

What to weigh

  • A single-state service
Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

A comparison of the services

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2WA Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's posted price on November 13, 2026. The $180 state fee is left out of the figures.

The Washington registration, in order

  1. Task 1

    Is Washington registration needed?

    Out-of-state LLCs that do business in Washington register first as foreign LLCs.

    Source: sos.wa.gov (page read October 2026)

  2. Task 2

    Request the certificate your home state issues

    Washington asks for certificate of existence (good standing) or similar document, from the last 60 days.

    Order it once everything else is ready.

  3. Task 3

    Name a registered agent for Washington

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a physical street address in Washington. P.O. boxes and private mailboxes are not accepted.

    Every recommended service includes the registered agent.

    Source: app.leg.wa.gov (page read October 2026)

  4. Task 4

    Work through the Foreign Registration Statement

    Fill in the Foreign Registration Statement, include $180, and mail or upload it to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division.

    Source: sos.wa.gov (page read October 2026)

  5. Task 5

    Stay registered

    After registering, a foreign LLC files the annual report ($70), last day of your registration month.

What this unit costs

Line itemPayeeCost
Filing to registerState office$180
Annual reportState office$70
Optional serviceThe provider$199 in year one
State fees for the first three yearsState office$320
The state numbers are official Washington fees, sourced below. The three-year line combines the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum tax.

How we ordered the Washington picks

What decided it was assignments the price completes, which carries 31% of the grade.

WA Registered Agent.org renews for less, but covering several states counted for more.

Short answers

Which fees does Washington charge when a foreign LLC registers?

$180 for the filing. Service fees: $199.

Which form do I file to register?

The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division receives this form from foreign LLCs.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of existence (good standing) or similar document, issued within 60 days of filing.

What is due after registering?

After you register, the LLC has to file the annual report, and each filing costs $70.

Which services are in this lesson?

The picks are Mainstay Filing and WA Registered Agent.org, strongest first.

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing, because registering costs $199 plus state fees, and the first year of the registered agent is free. After it come WA Registered Agent.org.

Reading list and sources

  1. Reading list entry for Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division: ccfs.sos.wa.gov, reread August 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  2. Reading list entry for Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division: sos.wa.gov, reread August 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  3. Reading list entry for Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  4. Reading list entry for Washington report due date: app.leg.wa.gov, reread August 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  5. Reading list entry for Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  6. Reading list entry for Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  7. Reading list entry for Washington registered agent statute: app.leg.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  8. Reading list entry for Washington SOS, register a foreign LLC online: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  9. Reading list entry for Washington SOS, fee schedules and priority services: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  10. Reading list entry for RCW 23.95.520, activities that are not doing business: app.leg.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  11. Reading list entry for RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not registering: app.leg.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  12. Reading list entry for RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement: app.leg.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  13. Reading list entry for Washington SOS, registered agents: sos.wa.gov, reread October 2026, the document behind these numbers.
  14. Washington service page of Mainstay Filing, taken on November 13, 2026
  15. pricing page of WA Registered Agent.org, taken on November 13, 2026