Washington Registered Agents: How, Why, and When to Get One

Do I need a registered agent in Washington?

Yes, if you have a Washington LLC, corporation, or limited partnership, you're required to provide registered agent information when you file your paperwork with the Secretary of State's office. This requirement is mandated by the Washington Uniform Business Organizations Code Section 23.95.405 and applies to all business entities formed under Washington law.

Who must appoint a registered agent

Under Washington law, the following business types must have a registered agent:

• Limited liability companies (LLCs): You’ll appoint an agent when you start an LLC in Washington and must maintain one continuously.
• Corporations: Both for-profit and nonprofit Washington corporations must designate an agent.
• Limited partnerships: Must have a registered agent listed in their certificate of limited partnership.
• Foreign entities: Out-of-state businesses operating in Washington must appoint a registered agent with a Washington address.

Businesses that do not register with the state, such as sole proprietorships and general partnerships, do not need to appoint a registered agent.

Penalties for not having a registered agent

One of the most important functions of a registered agent is to accept service of process. Service of process is official communication about legal action—it's how you're officially notified of lawsuits, subpoenas, and other legal actions. Without a registered agent, you risk fines, legal trouble, or even losing your business's good standing with the state of Washington. Specific consequences include:

• Administrative dissolution. The Washington Secretary of State can dissolve your business entity.
• Loss of good standing. Your business could lose its legal status and protections.
• Inability to defend lawsuits. You may not receive proper notice of legal actions.
• Compliance violations. You could also miss important state notices about annual reports, tax obligations, or regulatory changes.
• Reinstatement fees. If you lose good standing with the state, you’ll pay additional fees to get it back.

For example, if your business is served with legal papers, you typically have a limited time to respond—often 20 to 30 days depending on the type of case. If you don’t receive notice of legal action, you may miss this deadline, which could result in a default judgment against your business.

Washington registered agent requirements

Your registered agent can be an individual (a non-commercial registered agent) or a business providing professional registered agent services (a Washington commercial registered agent). Whichever you choose, they must meet specific requirements under the Washington Uniform Business Organizations Code, listed below.

Physical Washington address

Your registered agent must have a physical street address in the state of Washington. The agent can provide a P.O. box in addition to the physical address, but they must also have a physical location where they are physically present during normal business hours. This address is known as your business's registered office.

Availability during business hours

Process servers and state agencies need reliable access to serve documents in person. That means your registered agent must be available to accept mail and service of process on your behalf during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Consent to appointment

Before naming someone as your registered agent, you must obtain their written consent to serve in this capacity. Your registered agent will sign a consent form that is included in the paperwork filed with the Washington Secretary of State.

Who can serve as a registered agent in Washington?

Your registered agent can be an individual (a non-commercial registered agent) or a business providing professional registered agent services (a Washington commercial registered agent).

Non-commercial registered agents are individuals who serve as agents but don't charge fees for the service. This could be the business owner, a family member, or friend who meets the Washington address and availability requirements.

Commercial registered agents are businesses that provide professional registered agent services for a fee. Commercial agents must be authorized to conduct business in Washington and maintain a registered office in the state. Professional registered agent services like LegalZoom often provide additional options like document management and compliance tracking.

Can I be my own registered agent in Washington?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Washington, but keep in mind that the legal requirements will still apply to you. Many small business owners simply aren't available at the same address all day, every day, and falling out of compliance can lead to fines or even dissolution of your business.

Consider the pros and cons before you decide. Advantages of self-service include:

• No ongoing fees for registered agent services
• Direct control over all business correspondence
• Immediate access to legal documents and notices

There are also disadvantages to being your own registered agent:

• Must maintain a Washington address and be available during business hours
• Loss of privacy, because your name and address become public record
• Risk of missing important documents if you travel or relocate
• Potential embarrassment if served with legal papers at your business location

Using a professional registered agent service is valuable for home-based businesses who prefer to keep their residential address private. Professional agents also help ensure compliance by tracking important deadlines, maintaining organized records, and providing timely notifications about required filings or legal matters.

How to appoint or change a registered agent in Washington

The process for appointing or changing your Washington registered agent depends on whether you're forming a new business or updating an existing entity.

Appointing an agent during business formation

If you’re starting a new business, you’ll submit your registered agent information on the formation paperwork you file with the Washington Secretary of State. You'll need to provide:

• The registered agent's name
• The registered agent's physical street address in Washington
• The agent's written consent to serve (if not the business owner)

For LLCs, this information is included in the certificate of formation. For corporations, it's part of the articles of incorporation. Limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) also have their own forms. For all of these business entities, the filing fee for formation paperwork is $180 and you can pay an additional $50 for expedited service.

Changing your registered agent after formation

To change your registered agent after your business is formed, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with the Washington Secretary of State. This form requires:

• Your business entity information
• Current registered agent details
• New registered agent information
• Signature of the new registered agent to confirm consent

There is no cost to file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent, however, you can choose expedited processing for a $50 fee. If you choose to use LegalZoom as your registered agent, we will take care of the paperwork at no additional cost to you.

Updating registered agent information in annual reports

Washington businesses must file annual reports to maintain good standing. During this process, you can update your registered agent information if needed. Reports are due every year on the last day of the anniversary month in which the business was formed, and the filing fee for corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs is $70. If you need to change agents before your annual report is due, you should file a Statement of Change right away so you don’t fall out of compliance.

What happens if your Washington business doesn't have a registered agent?

Failing to maintain a registered agent in Washington puts your business at serious risk and can result in significant consequences.

Administrative dissolution

The Washington Secretary of State has the authority to administratively dissolve your business entity if you fail to maintain a registered agent. This process typically begins with a warning notice, followed by dissolution if the issue isn't corrected within a specified timeframe (usually 60 days).

Loss of good standing

Without a Washington registered agent, your business loses its good standing with the state, which can result in any of the following:

• Inability to file lawsuits or enforce contracts
• Loss of limited liability protection for owners
• Difficulty opening business bank accounts or obtaining credit
• Problems with business licensing and permits
• Complications with tax filings and compliance
• Loss of credibility with clients, vendors, and business partners

Legal and financial risks

Operating without a registered agent creates several serious risks that can affect your operations:

• Missed lawsuits: You may not receive proper notice of legal actions, leading to default judgments.
• Compliance violations: Missing important state notices about annual reports, tax obligations, or regulatory changes.
• Penalty fees: Late fees for missed filings and reinstatement costs.

Washington registered agent services: Features and benefits

Hiring a professional registered agent service like LegalZoom can take the pressure off of you to constantly be available just in case a process server shows up at your office—and there are plenty of other benefits as well.

Service of process handling

Professional registered agents are trained to properly handle service of process and understand the legal implications of the documents they receive. They'll immediately notify you when legal papers are served and can often provide guidance on next steps or recommend appropriate legal counsel.

Privacy protection

Professional agents provide a business address for public records instead of your home address or office address, protecting your privacy. This is especially valuable for:

• Home-based businesses
• Online businesses without a physical storefront
• Businesses who operate from a private address

Compliance reminders and document storage

A Washington commercial registered agent can help your business stay compliant with the state's legal requirements. For example, businesses must file annual reports with the Washington Secretary of State to remain in good standing. Missing this deadline could result in late fees or even administrative dissolution, which means your business loses its legal status.

Professional services may offer:

• Deadline tracking: Automated reminders for annual reports, tax filings, and license renewals
• Compliance calendars: Schedules of your business's specific filing requirements

Mail forwarding and document storage

If you operate your business from outside the state or frequently travel, Washington registered agent services can forward your mail to another address. Professional services can also scan and upload your important documents to a secure online portal, so you can access your paperwork anytime without waiting for physical mail. It's an excellent way to keep your records safe, organized, and easy to find when you need them.

Time-sensitive mail alerts and support

Some documents require quick action. A registered agent service sends you alerts so you can respond on time and avoid penalties and legal issues. For example, if your business is in one of Washington’s highly regulated industries, like transportation, telecommunications, or cannabis, instant notifications and access to your documents can help you stay on top of evolving Washington business license requirements.

Professional registered agent services may also provide customer support to help you understand the documents you receive and guide you through any required responses or actions.

What LegalZoom offers

LegalZoom’s Washington registered agent service provides all of the above services. Our Bellevue registered office meets all state requirements and our agents are available during normal business hours to handle your official mail. Plus, when you choose LegalZoom as your registered agent, we will file the paperwork for you and cover the filing fee—at no additional cost to you.