A registered agent is a business or individual who serves as a company’s representative. They are typically tasked with accepting documents on the LLC’s behalf, including official government correspondence. This can include service of process notices, tax information, communication from the Secretary of State, and notices of lawsuits. A Washington Registered Agent acts as a middle-man, as it is their job to see that members of the LLC receive these documents.
Washington Registered Agent Requirements For an Individual
The state’s Office of the Secretary of State provides a brief overview of what a registered agent is and why it is essential in the state of Washington. Included are some of the requirements for those interested in serving as a registered agent. One option that companies have is to find an individual who will serve as the registered agent.
- The individual must be a resident of Washington
- The individual must be at least 18 years old
- The agent must provide a physical address where they are available during regular business hours
Washington Registered Agent Requirements For a Company
If a business does not wish for an individual to serve as their registered agent, they could instead hire a company to help in this capacity.
- The company must be in good standing with the state of Washington
- The company must provide a physical address where they are available during regular business hours
DoMyLLC Can Serve As Your Washington Registered Agent
It’s critical that new business owners find a registered agent upon who they can trust and rely. At DoMyLLC, we offer Washington registered agent services to those looking to file as an LLC or corporation in the state of Washington. When hiring us to serve as a registered agent, business owners can rest assured that they are receiving reliable, professional services, including:
- A physical address in the state of Washington, meeting requirements set forth by the Secretary of State’s Office.
- An office available during business hours from Monday through Friday. We can accept all legal correspondence for a company.
- A secure online account where business owners can manage your documents.
- An innovative management system design making it easier than ever for business owners to handle all legal correspondence, even if they’re not in the state.
- A compliance reminder system that informs business owners when annual report filings are due, ensuring they never miss a deadline.
- A compliance calendar, which is an easy-to-view method that allows owner to track when annual reports are due.
- A vast document library that includes both state and internal paperwork for Corporations and LLCs
- Links to state and government agencies
- Unlimited document storage
If businesses in Washington miss important deadlines, such as annual report filings, they could be subject to harsh penalties. When hiring DoMyLLC as a Washington registered agent, business owners can trust that their information will be uploaded to the online management system immediately upon delivery and that they will never miss an important deadline. DoMyLLC allows business owners to focus on running their business instead of having to burden themselves with compliance paperwork.
How To Change Your Washington Registered Agent
If you are a business owner in the state of Washington who is not satisfied with the registered agent currently representing your company, it’s possible that you can make a change.
- Hire a New Agent – Before a Washington business makes efforts to replace their existing registered agent, they should first hire a new agent. Business owners should take their time to evaluate their possible registered agent options and choose one who could benefit the company significantly.
- File the Required Change of Agent Paperwork with the Washington Secretary of State – Upon hiring a new agent, Washington businesses must submit a Statement of Change/Destination of Registered Agent to the Office of the Secretary of State. When completing these forms, companies must include the name and address of both their former agent and their new agent. If it’s easier, Washington businesses also have the option of changing their registered agent paperwork when filing their annual report.
- Pay the Filing Fee – Washington business owners are fortunate in that there is no fee associated with filing change of agent paperwork. However, if a company elects for expedited services, it must pay an additional $50.
State Filing Fees
Although there are no filing fees when a Washington business changes their registered agent, there are significant fees associated with forming a new company in the state. Whenever Washington business owners submit forms to the Secretary of State, they must ensure that they pay the proper filing fees. Below is a breakdown of the filing fees a company may owe the state.
| Entity Type | State Fee Registered Agent Change |
| Domestic Washington Corporation | $0 |
| Domestic Washington Limited Liability Company | $0 |
| Domestic Washington Non-Profit Corporations | $0 |
| Domestic & Foreign Partnerships (LP, LLP, LLLP) | $0 |
| Foreign Corporations | $0 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporations | $0 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Companies | $0 |
| Corporation Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Washington Corporation | $200 |
| Domestic Washington Non-Profit Corporation | $50 |
| Foreign Corporation Qualification | $200 |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporation | $50 |
| LLC Entity Type | State Fee for Formation |
| Domestic Washington Limited Liability Company | $200 |
| Domestic Washington Partnerships | $180 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company Qualification | $200 |
| Foreign Partnership Qualification | $180 |