The explanation · Washington
2 Best LLC Services in Washington (2026) for Owners
The essentials
- What the state charges to file
- $200, a single payment
- Later years
- $70 each year
- Registered agent
- Required
- Our picks in order
- Mainstay Filing then WA Registered Agent.org
Who we recommend in Washington
Prices come from each company's own pricing page. The ranking is explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want the annual report handled
$199 per year ($399 at signup including the state fee)
Mainstay Filing comes out on top: the annual report is built into its $199 annual price alongside formation and the registered agent.
The extra $200 compared with WA Registered Agent.org covers jobs you would otherwise do yourself.
You skip the annual report yourself. Washington still bills $70, which is charged at cost.
Includes
- The formation filing
- Registered agent for twelve months
- Annual report filed by Mainstay
- The EIN application
- No markup on the state fee
Points in its favor
- $199 a year pays for the filing, the agent and the report
- No extra fee for the EIN application
- Costs $199 when it renews
Where it falls short
- Carries a $100 annual premium over WA Registered Agent.org
2. WA Registered Agent.org: best for staying in one state
$199 plus the state fee, followed by $99 a year
In second place is WA Registered Agent.org, because forming costs $199, and the agent renews each year at $99.
The annual report is not part of the price, so you will file it on your own.
Includes
- The LLC, filed for you
- Agent service during year one
Points in its favor
- A formation fee of $199
- $99 each year from year two
- No agent fee in year one
Where it falls short
- Filing the annual report stays with you
- Charges $99 to apply for the EIN
The picks compared
| # | Provider | Year one | Renewal price | Three-year total | What you get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | the formation filing; registered agent for twelve months; Annual report filed by Mainstay | Learn more at Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | WA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | The LLC, filed for you; agent service during year one | Learn more at WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The questions, one by one
What will forming an LLC cost me?
Set aside $200 for the state and $199 for a service.
Counting the recurring report, the state collects $340 in the first three years. sos.wa.gov · verified October 2026
Which form do I file, and with whom?
You submit one document, the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company, to the Washington Secretary of State.
Statute: RCW 25.15.071. sos.wa.gov · verified October 2026
Does the state insist on a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, a noncommercial agent (any person or business with a Washington address), or the holder of a named position in the company. The agent consents in advance.
app.leg.wa.gov · verified October 2026
What is due in later years?
What recurs is the annual report: annual, $70. In the state's words it falls due last day of the entity's anniversary month, so keep an eye on it.
The state's late fee is $25.
sos.wa.gov · verified October 2026
Can I skip the service?
Yes, and the cost is then the state's $340 over three years.
Hiring one adds $397 to $597 across three years.
How did you order the services?
How much work the price handles counts for 28%, and Mainstay Filing comes out ahead on it.
The two heaviest criteria are what three years cost (34%) and how much work the price handles (28%), with three lighter ones behind them.
A lower bill at WA Registered Agent.org still leaves the annual report to you.
Washington: rules and fees at a glance
| What it covers | Fee or rule | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fee to file the LLC | $200 | sos.wa.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Registered agent | Required | app.leg.wa.gov · verified October 2026 |
| Annual report | $70 every year | sos.wa.gov · verified October 2026 |
| State fees across three years | $340 | Sum of the figures above |
Additional questions
Is the EIN covered?
With Mainstay Filing it is free. WA Registered Agent.org: $99 extra.
Is there a penalty for a late report?
A penalty of $25 applies.
How much is each one after three years?
Over three years: Mainstay Filing ($597), WA Registered Agent.org ($397) (service fees only).
Are the figures official?
Washington's official documents supply the state fees, and the companies' price pages supply the service fees.
Is a service required?
No, you may file on your own if you meet the rules on this page.
Which one should I choose in Washington?
We would start with Mainstay Filing, then WA Registered Agent.org.
Sources used on this page
- August 2026 confirmation of Washington Secretary of State, Corporations at ccfs.sos.wa.gov
- August 2026 confirmation of Washington Secretary of State, Corporations at sos.wa.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Washington yearly filing: Annual report at sos.wa.gov
- August 2026 confirmation of Washington report due date at app.leg.wa.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Washington formation fee: Filing fee at sos.wa.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Washington formation fee: Filing fee at sos.wa.gov
- October 2026 confirmation of Washington registered agent statute at app.leg.wa.gov
- Mainstay Filing, Washington service page, accessed November 13, 2026
- WA Registered Agent.org, pricing page, accessed November 13, 2026