Washington Registered Agent

The rationale for creating Washington state laws regulating registered agents was rooted in the need for a reliable and official means of communication between corporate bodies and the state government. Washington registered agents ensure business entities receive all legal, tax, and government notices and documentation. It also promotes transparency and accountability in official correspondence. 

Is a Registered Agent Required in Washington?

The State of Washington requires all businesses, corporations, and LLCs registering with the Secretary of State to have a registered agent on file. According to Article 4, Chapter 23.95 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), every corporation in Washington must appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent. 

Furthermore, the Revised Code of Washington states that domestic entities and registered foreign entities must appoint and maintain a registered agent in the state. This law applies to Limited Liability Companies(LLCs), Profit Corporations, Nonprofit Corporations, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships(LLPs). 

All entities at the formation stage are required by statute to have a registered agent. The Washington Secretary of State prescribes the process of registration. The Secretary of State also maintains a public record of registered agents. 

What is a Registered Agent in Washington?

A registered agent is an entity or individual designated by a company to receive service of process, government correspondence, tax documents, compliance mail, and government correspondence. They serve as a link between the state and the corporation or LLC. The registered agent must have a physical street address in Washington. One may also include the registered agents’ mailing address (P.O. Box) within the state. 

In Washington, registered agents may be commercial or non-commercial (individuals). A registered agent can be any individual over 18, a law firm, an attorney, a corporate official, or a Registered Agent Service with a physical address in Washington. 

What Does a Registered Agent Do in Washington?

Businesses and corporations stand to gain several benefits from designating a registered agent. Registered agents help businesses prioritize essential and time-sensitive documents and correspondence that may be crucial to government compliance. 

The duties of a registered agent include:

• Receiving legal and government documents and correspondence
• Forwarding documents to the LLC or corporation
• Notifying the appropriate staff of policy changes and deadlines for filings and documentation. 
• Notifying the company of service of process, demands, and summons.  
• Tax filing and tax reports before deadlines. 
• Compliance management 
• Maintaining employers privacy
• Maintaining copies of corporate documents.

LLC Registered Agent in Washington

Under Washington State Law, a Limited Liability Company must appoint a registered agent. Here, the company owner files a Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company. The Washington Secretary of State oversees this process and has an online filing system for domestic and foreign registrations. 

Registered agents are essential for LLCs that operate across different states as they help owners meet compliance regulations and keep track of law changes in the states where they operate. A registered agent for an LLC is tasked with three key responsibilities to receive service of process, tax, and compliance notices. 

A registered agent helps company owners keep their contact information private. Registered agents’ records are public records; instead of the owner, the agent’s information is publicly available. The business owner can keep his email and other contact information private. 

Appointing and maintaining a registered agent helps Limited Liability Companies ensure that all information on their tax returns complies with federal and state laws. Additionally, all tax filing would be done timely and submitted to the appropriate tax authorities before the deadline elapses. Strict compliance management saves businesses from penalties, tax fraud, lawsuits, bankruptcy, bad press, and loss of clientele. 

Do I Need a Registered Agent for My LLC in Washington?

Yes. In Washington and many other states in the United States, it is a legal requirement for all Limited Liability Companies(LLCs) to have a registered agent. A registered agent is an administrative link between the state of Washington and LLCs. 

Registered Agent of a Corporation

There is no distinction between a corporation’s registered agent and other registered agents. They perform all the same roles. Washington Statute RCW 23.95. 415 requires all corporate entities to designate a registered agent. The primary function of a registered agent is to receive and forward:

• Notices, service of summons, lawsuits, and other legal documents 
• Compliance mail and tax information
• Official government correspondence 
• Other important documents. 

Per state law, to be legally recognized as a corporation, businesses must file an Article of Incorporation with the Washington Secretary of State Office. This rule applies to both for-profit and nonprofit corporations. However, nonprofits who intend to conduct public fundraisers will be required to register with the Charities Program of the Secretary of State in addition to, separate from, the Nonprofit Article of Incorporation. For both applications, the corporation must appoint a registered agent. A corporation can choose to register themselves, a relative, a registered agent service, or even a law firm as their registered agent. 

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Washington?

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) contains the following physical/location requirements for a registered agent. 

• The agent must be a resident of Washington aged 18 years and above
• The agent must have a physical street address in the state
• The physical address must be the principal or registered office. A virtual address or mailing address does not qualify as a physical address. 
• The agent must be available during business hours to receive documents, service of process, and notices. 

Legal Requirements of a Registered Agent in Washington

A commercial registered agent is anyone listed in a certificate of formation, article of incorporation, or registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a commercial registered agent. The registered agent can be a domestic or foreign entity as long as they are registered in Washington.

For an individual or business to be a legally registered agent, the company being represented must file a Commercial Listing Statement containing the agent’s name, physical address in Washington, and email address. The agent must consent to receive correspondence and accept summons on behalf of the business. An LLC or corporation cannot be its registered agent.  

How to Choose a Registered Agent in Washington

There are many registered agent services in Washington, and it may be challenging to select one. Hiring the right registered agent is key for business continuity. This decision can save or tank your business. Business owners must ensure their registered agents are competent, organized, reliable, and efficient. Speed is also an essential thing to consider. Some registered agents work for more than one employer; in this case, companies might need to pay an additional fee for priority. 

Non-negotiables businesses need to consider before choosing a registered agent service include:

• Location and availability: The agent must have a physical address in Washington and be available to collect and sign hand-delivered documents during regular business hours. 
• The corporation must be registered and authorized to operate in the state. 
• The agent should have a good business reputation and excellent and timely communication. 
• The agent should have knowledge of compliance and tax regulations.
• The agent should offer timely reminders to navigate deadlines, license renewals, filings, and other reports to avoid penalties and legal sanctions. 
• The agent should provide their contact information to protect the owner’s private information. 
• The agent should know the owner’s business industry regulations and inform them of any legal summons or documents received on their behalf. 
• The agent must be professional in handling and forwarding confidential business information. 

As mentioned earlier, business owners can choose to be their registered agents, or they can choose family members. But in hindsight, hiring a professional is better and more convenient for several reasons. 

The dream of every business owner is growth. As the business expands, the company will need to hire more staff, scale the business, and improve its services. All of this requires time and commitment. Therefore, when corporations outsource their correspondence and filing to third-party registered agents, they have more time to focus on actual business operations and work on the future of their business. They can also channel their workforce to other departments to increase productivity. 

Registered agents give business access to expert services. Professionals provide expert service and sometimes advise companies. Working with a third-party agent gives the business owner confidence and comfort that their documents are appropriately handled and that communication is dispensed promptly and accurately. Unlike in-house staff, professionals do not need constant supervision. Usually, registered agents connect business owners with other professional financial or legal firms when required. 

Using third-party registered agent services gives business owners access to automated technology, tools, and processes. When searching for the right registered agent, choosing one that integrates automated tools like business compliance tools in its operations is advisable. Using automation software reduces the risk of human errors. With advanced technology, the agent can schedule weekly reminders. All in all, it is more convenient for the business.

Most importantly, registered agent fees vary from one service provider to the other. Businesses can choose an agent that suits their budget and requirements. 

How Much Does a Registered Agent Service Cost in Washington?

Depending on the required services, a registered agent service may cost between $50 – $300 annually. Their services involve scanning and uploading documents to the company’s online account. They may charge higher for services that include preparing financial reports, tax filings, compliance reviews, and fast-tracking filing. 

Alternatively, an in-house or DIY registered agent comes with minimal costs or is cost-free. The costs for an in-house registered agent may simply be the extra time spent filing and doing compliance checks. It may even be added to the job description of office clerks, legal, compliance, or finance departments. 

Can I be My Own Registered Agent in Washington?

Absolutely. Washington makes provisions for non-commercial/individual registered agents. A registered agent can be a person or a company. For a business owner to be their registered agent:

• They must be above 18
• Have a physical street address in Washington 
• The registered agent must be available during usual business hours
• If the registered agent is the company, it must be one authorized to conduct business in the state.

A business owner appointing themselves as their registered agent is a wise financial decision. This way, the business saves money and receives documents directly. However, there are some disadvantages. Business owners are focused on the management and operations of business activities and often forget to prioritize deadlines and remember important notices. Plus, registered agent information is a public record. As a result, anyone can send you junk mail. This removes the privacy of addresses guaranteed by third-party registered agents. 

How to Change a Registered Agent in Washington

Business owners change their registered agents for several reasons. It may be that the agent – no longer resides in the state, has left the company, or no longer provides satisfactory service. 

Business owners who want to change their registered agents must file with the office of the state’s secretary. This can be done online or in person. To proceed, visit the Washington Secretary of State Website and download the Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent form. Complete it with the required information and mail it to or submit it in person at:

Office of the Secretary of State 

P.O. Box 40234

801 Capitol Way S, Olympia, 

WA 98504-023

Phone: (360) 725 – 0377

A change of registered agent filing is cost-free. The process may take a few business days or longer if the offices are busy. Alternatively, companies can pay $50 for an expedited service and get a response within two days. Once approved, the state secretary’s office will send a confirmation notice to the registered agent’s address. Business owners are also advised to update the registered agent’s information when filing annual reports. 

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Registered Agent in Washington?

All corporations and LLCs are legally required to appoint registered agents and file them with the Washington Secretary of State. However, businesses such as sole proprietorships and general partnerships are exempt from this rule. The office of the Washington Secretary of State does not register sole proprietorships and general partnerships; hence, there are no legal consequences for not having a registered agent. 

As mentioned earlier, LLCs, Limited and Limited Liability Partnerships, and corporations cannot be legally registered and recognized as business entities in Washington without a registered agent. They must designate a registered agent and list them in their filing with the Secretary of State at the time of formation or incorporation. It doesn’t stop there. These corporations must maintain a registered agent as long as the company exists. They are allowed to change their agents when necessary. But, individuals cannot register their business in the state without a registered agent. 

If the agent filed at the point of registration no longer represents the company, and such a company does not hire a new agent, they may be fined or penalized. When a company no longer receives mail and documents through its agent, it may miss tax filings. The IRS may assess a failure-to-file penalty when a company fails to file tax returns timely or submit tax reports. 

In addition to missing tax returns, the company will not receive notices on policy changes or compliance regulations, putting the business at risk of lawsuits. Failure to maintain a registered agent may cause the state to suspend business operations. If this happens, the company will lose financing, rights, powers, and privileges to operate in Washington. 

How to Become a Registered Agent in Washington

In Washington, registered agents may be commercial or non-commercial. A non-commercial agent is any individual or company who consents to accept legal correspondence on behalf of a business. A commercial agent, on the other hand, is any individual or firm registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a registered agent. 

An individual or corporation must be a resident of Washington to be a registered agent. Also, businesses and corporations must be registered with the Washington Secretary of State. Registered agents can choose to be agents for more than one company. 

To be a registered agent, agents must fill out the Commercial Register Agent Listing Statement form. Then, mail the form with a $10 filing fee to the Corporation and Charities Division, Washington Secretary of State. Moreover, the filing fee must be in the form of a check or money order to the Secretary of State and not backdated over 60 days. Agents and business owners can pay an additional expedited fee of $50 for a fast-track service. Please note that filing fees paid are non-refundable. 

Corporations & Charities Division

801 Capitol Way S Olympia

WA 98501-1226 

Mailing address:

PO Box 40234 

Olympia, WA 98504-0234 

Phone: (360) 725-0377 

Email: corps@sos.wa.gov

Washington Registered Agent Search

The Washington Secretary of State maintains an online database of all commercial registered agents listed by businesses in their filing process. All appointed commercial registered agents’ information is available on the state’s Corporations and Filing System (CCFS). 

The easiest way to find legitimate commercial registered agents is by conducting a CFFS search. Inquirers may search by business name, Unique Business Identifier (UBI), or registered agent’s name. If the searcher does not have the agent’s name, a company search will reveal details that include the name of its registered agent. 

The advanced search option allows searchers to input as much information as possible for a precise result. Researchers may input the following search criteria:

• The name of the business
• The type of business 
• Category (LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships)
• Status (active or inactive)
• Name of principal 
• Registered agent name, city, or ZIP code
• Date of incorporation.

Once the searcher has entered all relevant information, click search, and a list of businesses that match the search criteria will appear. The search result will unveil the business’s name, name and address of the registered agent, UBI, state of incorporation, filing date, expiration date, category, status, and date of inactivity. Here, they can view additional information and purchase documents that may be useful to them. 

Is Registered Agent Information Public Record in Washington? 

Registered agents’ information is a public record in Washington. A business is required to provide the agent’s name, physical address, email address, and other contact information. Once registered by the Secretary of State, commercial registered agents are added to a publically available list. Registered agents’ information is public records. 

In Washington, researchers can find the database of registered agents on the Corporations and Filing System (CCFS) website. This allows business owners filing with the Washington Secretary of State to find commercial registered agents that can represent them.