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Washington official formation packet
Download the Washington certificate of formation packet used to create an LLC with the state. This is the official formation document plus support files, not an operating agreement.
A Washington formation packet built around the official certificate of formation, with customer support and lifetime updates if the official form is revised.
This is the certificate of formation you file with the state to create the LLC. It is a public record, not the internal ownership contract.
One $9.99 purchase covers instant download, email support, and replacement files if we update this packet.
Most banks and multi-member LLCs still need a separate operating agreement. It is not filed with these articles.
This state packet includes 2 documents in print-ready PDF format. Labels describe each file's role, not the internal filename.
Articles vs operating agreement
This packet is built around the official Washington certificate of formation. Filing it with the state creates the LLC as a public legal entity.
The $9.99 price is not for inventing a government form. It covers the current official blank, companion files, email support, and lifetime updates if the official form changes.
This is not an operating agreement. Articles create the company; the operating agreement is the internal contract among members.
Need the internal rulebook too? After you file, most customers also download a member-managed or manager-managed operating agreement for Washington.
Researched filing overview
Washington uses an official Certificate of Formation to create a domestic LLC. Pay the $180 state filing fee separately to Washington. Online filing adds the Secretary of State’s processing fee.
File online or by mail. A noncommercial registered agent needs a physical Washington street address and signed consent. An initial report is due within 120 days and may accompany formation at no extra fee. A professional LLC uses a separate certificate.
What happens before, during, and after the state filing. This product is the public formation document, not a filing service.
Choose a distinguishable Washington name and a commercial or noncommercial registered agent. A noncommercial agent needs a physical Washington street address and signed consent.
File the official Certificate of Formation online or by mail. The $180 state fee is paid separately; online filing adds the Secretary of State’s processing fee. This product does not file for you. A professional LLC uses a separate certificate.
An initial report is due within 120 days and may accompany formation at no extra fee. Annual reports are then due each year by the last day of the anniversary month. Adopt a written operating agreement. An EIN is separate.
Read the filing notes and statute excerpts here. The official certificate of formation preview follows below.
Quick answer
A certificate of formation form, known in other states as an articles of organization, is the document that one must complete and submit to the state to establish the creation of an LLC within the State of Washington.
A certificate of formation form, known in other states as an articles of organization, is the document that one must complete and submit to the state to establish the creation of an LLC within the State of Washington. It sets forth the name of the proposed company, and it may set forth other provisions, provided that they are not inconsistent with state law. It comes complete with instructions and filing information for creating an LLC within the state.
Washington accepts the filing of a certificate of formation form via U. S. mail or online via the Washington Secretary of State's online system for e-filing documents.
The requirements for naming an LLC within the state are set forth in Wash. Rev. Code § 23.95.300 and § 23.95.305. The name of the LLC must contain the words "limited liability company," the words "limited liability" and abbreviation "Co.," or the abbreviation "L. L. C." or "LLC". The name must be distinguishable from those of all other entities on file with the state. It may not infringe on any active trademark registered with the state or the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office. One may search online Washington's trademark database and the USPTO's trademark database.
One may determine the availability of a proposed business name for use within Washington by querying the state's official Business Search tool.
Washington imposes a fee of $180 for the filing of certificate of formation. Optional expedited service may be available for an additional fee; confirm the current amount on the Secretary of State’s filing page.
STATE of WASHINGTON
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Ready to download the Washington packet? Checkout delivers the formation files immediately. The operating agreement is a separate product if you need ownership and management rules.
Get the Washington Packet — $9.99Illustrative sample layout for review before purchase — the licensed packet contains the current filing document and instructions.
WASHINGTON LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
CERTIFICATE OF FORMATIONFirst: The name of the limited liability company is ____________________________________________.
Second: The street address of the principal office of the limited liability company is _________________________________________.
Third: The following provision shall apply: (Choose only one:)
____ The name of the commercial registered agent for service of process of the limited liability company in Washington, defined by RCW 23.95.105(3), is ________________________________.
____ The name of the noncommercial registered agent for service of process of the limited liability company in Washington, defined by RCW 23.95.105(21), is ________________________________. The street address of the noncommercial registered agent in Washington is: _________________________________________.
Fourth: The effective date of formation of the limited liability company shall be upon filing by the Secretary of State.
Fifth: The tenure of the limited liability company shall be perpetual existence.
Sixth:
Certificate of Acceptance of Appointment of Resident Agent: I, ________________________________, hereby consent to serve as Registered Agent in the State of Washington for the above named entity. I understand it will be my responsibility to accept service of process, notices, and demands on behalf of the entity; to forward mail to the entity; and to immediately notify the Office of the Secretary of State if I resign or change the Registered Office Address.
__________________________________
Signature of Resident Agent
__________________________________
Date
NAME, ADDRESS AND SIGNATURE OF EACH EXECUTOR: (attach additional pages if necessary:)
__________________________________ [name]
__________________________________ [address, line 1]
__________________________________ [address, line 2]
__________________________________ [cite, state, zip]
This document is hereby executed under penalties of perjury, and is, to the best of my knowledge, true and correct.
__________________________________
Signature of Executor
__________________________________
Printed Name of Executor
__________________________________
Date
If you are not 100 percent satisfied after purchase, contact us for a full refund. Lifetime updates apply if we replace this packet. This guarantee is about the product and support, not a promise that a particular filing will be accepted.
No. The certificate of formation is the public filing that creates the LLC. An operating agreement is a separate internal contract that sets ownership, voting, profit splits, and management. Most customers need both.
Yes. This packet is built around Certificate of Formation — Limited Liability Company. If the state later revises the official blank, lifetime updates cover a replacement packet.
When the state publishes a free official form, that blank is still free on the government site. This product packages the current form we carry, any companion files listed on this page, email support, and lifetime updates if we replace the packet. It is not a filing service and it does not pay the state’s filing fee.
This packet currently includes 2 documents in print-ready PDF format. The list on this page is the customer-facing inventory.
Washington generally does not file the operating agreement with these articles, but banks, lenders, and multi-member LLCs almost always want one. Choose member-managed if every owner will run the company, or manager-managed if appointed managers will run it.
No. ILRG provides self-help forms and information. You complete the documents and file them with the state, or use the official online portal where that is required. Consult a licensed attorney for tax elections, professional-license entities, or unusual ownership structures.
Yes. Unless included with formation, Washington’s initial report must be filed within 120 days of the effective date. If filed later, the Secretary of State lists a separate $10 initial-report fee. Annual reports are then due each year.