A registered agent is an individual or business entity designated to receive official state correspondence and legal notices (such as a subpoena or summons) on behalf of a business. Under RCW 23.95.400, all registered businesses in Washington must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state.
Yes, you can be your own registered agent as long as you are a resident of Washington, have a physical street address in the state, and are available at that address during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM). However, many business owners choose to hire a professional service to maintain their privacy and ensure they don’t miss important legal documents while away or on vacation.
The Washington Secretary of State charges $0 to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent. You can file this form online or by mail.
The state filing fee to form a Washington LLC (Certificate of Formation) is $200. You must also file an Initial Report within 120 days of formation, which costs $10.
If you fail to maintain a registered agent, or if your registered agent resigns and you do not appoint a replacement within 31 days, the Washington Secretary of State may administratively dissolve your business entity. This means your business will lose its good standing and its right to legally operate in the state.
Our primary duty as your registered agent is to accept and forward legal service of process and official state communications. However, we do offer limited, courtesy mail forwarding for ordinary business mail. Please check our service terms for exact volume limits.
Your Washington Annual Report is due every year by the last day of the month in which your business was formed. The filing fee is $60. If you file late, the state imposes a $25 penalty. As your registered agent, we will send you timely reminders to ensure you file before the deadline.