Module 3 · Washington
Foreign LLC Registration in Washington (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 2 Best Services
Before you begin
In this lesson
- When registration is required
- The form and the fee
- The recurring filing
- How the graded picks compare
Washington: the services that earned a grade
1. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states
Mainstay Filing gets our top grade for Washington: it files the Washington registration for $199 plus the state fee and covers the first agent year.
The three-year premium over WA Registered Agent.org is $100, and the 33% weight on steps handled covers it.
When the free first year ends, the agent costs $149 a year in any state.
What the price covers
- Registration prepared and submitted
- The registered agent costs nothing in year one
- One fee in every state
Marks in its favor
- $199 to register
- The same fee in every state
- The first agent year is included
Where it loses points
- A renewal $50 over WA Registered Agent.org's
2. WA Registered Agent.org: best for a low yearly agent cost
WA Registered Agent.org is a sound second choice because it files the Washington registration for $199 and includes a year of agent service, then renews at $99.
What the price covers
- Your Washington registration is prepared and filed
- One year of agent service
Marks in its favor
- Then $99 a year
- $199 above the state fee
- A year of agent service is included
Where it loses points
- A one-state service
The 2 graded picks compared
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | WA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
How to register in Washington
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Step
1Confirm that you must register
A foreign LLC is simply one formed in another state, and it registers before doing business in Washington.
Where this comes from: sos.wa.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
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Step
2Request proof of good standing from home
Attach certificate of existence (good standing) or similar document, not more than 60 days.
Request it close to the filing date.
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Step
3Appoint a registered agent in 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.
Any of our picks covers the role.
Where this comes from: app.leg.wa.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
-
Step
4Prepare and file the Foreign Registration Statement
What the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division needs from you is the filing named above and a $180 fee.
Where this comes from: sos.wa.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
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Step
5Keep up with Washington's recurring filing
Once registered, file the annual report for $70, last day of your registration month.
What you will pay
| Step | Paid to | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| The registration step | To the state | $180 |
| Annual report | To the state | $70 |
| Help from a service | Your service | $199 for year one |
| State fees for three years | To the state | $320 |
Why Mainstay Filing comes first
Homework the price handles carries 33% of the report card, and that is where pulled ahead in Washington.
WA Registered Agent.org has the lower renewal, yet covering several states counted for more.
Washington questions
What will I pay to get an out-of-state LLC registered with Washington?
$180 to the state. The services on this page charge $199 more.
Which form do I file to register?
Fill out the form named in step 4 and send it to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division.
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?
Your next filing is the annual report at $70.
Which services are in this lesson?
The picks are Mainstay Filing and WA Registered Agent.org; the prices are in the table above.
Which service should handle the registration?
Mainstay Filing: $199 above the state fee in any state, and the first year of agent service costs nothing. Then come WA Registered Agent.org.
Class references
- Source for Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division: ccfs.sos.wa.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington report due date: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington registered agent statute: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington SOS, register a foreign LLC online: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington SOS, fee schedules and priority services: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for RCW 23.95.520, activities that are not doing business: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not registering: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Source for Washington SOS, registered agents: sos.wa.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
- Mainstay Filing, Washington service page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026
- WA Registered Agent.org, pricing page, as it appeared on November 13, 2026