Washington Registered Agent
What is a Washington registered agent?
Washington registered agents are individuals or entities authorized to receive process, notice, or demands served on a company. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW 23B.05.010) states that a business must continuously maintain a registered agent to do business in the state. Washington recognizes several types of registered agents, and this guide will cover choosing the best type for your needs.
What Are a Washington Registered Agent’s Duties?
A Washington registered agent must have a physical address in the state where service of process may be served on behalf of an appointing business. They must be available during normal business hours to accept documents and forward them to the entity at the last known contact address provided. There are many Washington registered agents, some providing a wider range of services than others.
Are businesses in Washington required to have a registered agent?
Washington requires every business entity registered in the state to appoint and maintain a registered agent. The state will reject your initial formation filing if you don’t appoint a registered agent when it is submitted. Failure to maintain a registered agent in Washington may result in the administrative dissolution of your business with the Secretary of State’s office.
What Are The Requirements To Be A Registered Agent?
The state of Washington requires all registered agents to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Must be a legal adult aged 18 or older, or a business registered to do business in the state.
- Must provide a physical address for service of process. A P.O. Box address may be provided in addition to a physical address.
- Must consent to receive all legal mail and service of process on behalf of the appointing entity.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes. The company cannot be its own registered agent, but an individual can be appointed. This includes an owner, business member, or employee who can accept documents daily. Professional registered agents prioritize accepting your important documents and usually offer various other useful services like web hosting, business formation, mail forwarding, and more.
What Are the Different Types of Registered Agents?
There are two different types of registered agents recognized in Washington state. Non-commercial and commercial registered agents adhere to the same basic requirements. They must sign the Consent to Serve as Registered Agent form to accept documents on behalf of the business. Commercial registered agents must also register with the Secretary of State and can change the registered agent information for all the companies they represent with a single filing called a Commercial Statement of Change.
How can I become a commercial registered agent in Washington?
If you plan to act as a registered agent for multiple companies, you can do so by submitting a Commercial Registered Agent Listing Statement to the state for $10. This form requests the Unified Business Number (UBI) for the commercial agent and the Business Names of each entity you plan to represent as a registered agent.
How do registered agent services work in Washington?
When you hire a commercial registered agent in Washington, you’ll receive an address in the state for use on state filing records. Any documents sent to the registered agent address will be forwarded to you by mail or digitally along with a notice when these documents are available. This frees you up to take care of the daily operations and ensures prompt notice of all incoming legal documents.
How do I find a Washington registered agent?
You can find a registered agent in Washington by searching for a business using the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities System. Business entity listings all provide a name and address for the registered agent where documents can be delivered on behalf of the business. Documents delivered to that address will reach the entity and count as a successful service of process.
Benefits of Hiring Registered Agents Inc in Washington
Registered Agents Inc provides the very best service in Washington for a great price, along with all of the benefits you see here:
Secure Online Account
All documents received at our office in Washington are processed the same day and uploaded to your secure online account for easy access. With our system, you can view documents and filing forms for every major state filing all at the click of a button.
Speedy Notification Emails
Since we scan all documents at our local offices, there’s no chance of them becoming lost or missing out due to improper handling. We send instant email notifications to you when new documents are available to view or download in PDF format.
Reliable Technology
We subject our software to rigorous testing to offer the best possible experience to all clients. Our system is intuitively designed to help guide you through viewing your important documents and hiring us for other services at your convenience.
Direct Support
Whether you’re unsure of the next steps to take, or just have a few questions about the process, our team is just a call or message away. We’ve got expertise and solutions to empower your business and grow.
Offices Around the U.S.
You can hire us no matter where you do business since we have offices in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. This means we’re here whenever you’re ready to expand beyond the evergreen state.
If you want to offer registered agent services to your clients, check out our Wholesale Program for more details.
How Do I Appoint a Registered Agent in Washington?
You can appoint a registered agent in Washington when you file your Articles of Incorporation for a corporation or Certificate of Formation for an LLC. Page 4 of each form requires the details and expressed consent from your registered agent. After the state accepts your filing, the registered agent will receive all important documents on your behalf and start forwarding them to you immediately.
How do I change my registered agent in Washington?
You can change your registered agent by including new registered agent information when you file your annual report. If you’ve already filed this year, you can file a Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent form with the Washington Secretary of State. This can be filed online using the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System, or by mail to the address below:
Corporations & Charities Division
PO Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504
What is the fee to change my Washington registered agent?
The cost to file a Washington annual report for LLCs and corporations is $70 if you’re planning to change your agent when you file. Otherwise, the standalone Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent form is $20 to file online and free to file by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a registered agent cost in Washington?
Washington registered agent service typically costs between $50 to $300, depending on the other services and filings your agent handles. Our premium service is $200 annually and includes annual report filing along with other add-on services for your business.
Do I need to live in Washington to operate a business in the state?
No. You can operate a business in Washington by providing an in-state principal address. The state can accept a registered agent address for this purpose, which offers more privacy for your business.
Does Washington require annual report filings?
Yes. All businesses in Washington are required to file an annual report to stay in good standing. This report is due by the last day of the anniversary month for your business. Your business will be delinquent and may be dissolved if you don’t keep up with this requirement. Hire us as your Washington registered agent and we’ll file your annual report for free—you just pay the state fee.
What is a UBI number in Washington?
A Unified Business Number (UBI) is a 9-digit identification number that is assigned to your business upon formation with the Washington Secretary of State. You can also apply for this number when you apply for a state business license.
