Washington · Secretary of State
Washington splits commercial and noncommercial agents — and charges $0 to change.
Formation ads sell one “registered agent” SKU as if every state rhymes. Washington’s Uniform Business Organizations Code is plainer and more structured: every LLC continuously maintains a registered agent under RCW 25.15.021 and Article 4 of chapter 23.95, the filing must pick commercial or noncommercial, the street address must be a physical address in this state (not a PO Box or PMB alone), the agent must consent in a record before appointment, and the Secretary of State’s fee schedule lists change of registered agent / office as No Fee. The recurring dollars are the $70 annual report on the formation-month clock.
Partner links on this page are affiliate links. FTC disclosure. Not legal advice. Prices retrieved 30 August 2026.
What RCW 25.15.021 and chapter 23.95 Article 4 say
| Item | Published rule |
|---|---|
| Continuous registered agent | RCW 25.15.021(1): each LLC shall continuously maintain in this state a registered agent in accordance with Article 4 of chapter 23.95 RCW. RCW 23.95.405: every domestic entity and every registered foreign entity shall designate and maintain a registered agent in this state. |
| Commercial vs noncommercial | RCW 23.95.415(1): the filing states either the name of the entity’s commercial registered agent, or — if there is no CRA — the name and address of a noncommercial agent, or the title of an office/position with the entity plus the address for process. A person becomes listed as a CRA by filing under RCW 23.95.420 (in the business of serving as CRA; place of business in this state). The SOS Registered Agents page mirrors the two-type split and notes CRAs appear on a public list in CCFS. |
| Street address in this state | RCW 23.95.410: when a record must state an address, it must state a street address in this state and a mailing address in this state if different. SOS Registered Agents and LLC Certificate of Formation instructions (Rev. 6.2025): physical address in Washington required; PO Boxes or PMBs are not accepted as the street address. A mailing address may be added for USPS. |
| Prior consent | RCW 23.95.415(2): a registered agent shall not be appointed without having given prior consent in a record. Consent is filed with or as part of the first appointing record. Appointment without consent can be cured by a notarized statement to the Secretary of State removing the name. |
| How to change | RCW 25.15.021(2) / RCW 23.95.430: deliver a statement of change stating the entity name and the information required under §23.95.415(1). Designating a new agent requires the successor’s consent in a record on or attached to the statement (§23.95.430(3)). SOS forms: Statement of Change / Designation of Agent (noncommercial) or commercial statement of change for listed CRAs. |
| Agent resignation | RCW 25.15.021(4) points to resignation under RCW 23.95.445. The SOS Registered Agents page states resignations take effect 31 days after the filing is placed on record. Fee schedule: No Fee. |
Fees we can put in a table
| Instrument | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Change of registered agent / office | $0 | SOS fee schedule: No Fee. Statement of change under RCW 23.95.430; new-agent consent required. Same No Fee line for change of registered office. |
| Resignation of registered agent | $0 | SOS fee schedule: No Fee (see RCW 23.95.445). SOS Registered Agents page: effective 31 days after filing is placed on record. |
| LLC annual report (profit) | $70 | SOS fee schedule $70. Due by the last day of the formation / registration month; may file up to 180 days early. Keeps active status and UBI standing (SOS Annual Reports page). |
| Annual report with delinquency fee | $95 | SOS fee schedule $95. Late filing can produce delinquent status and a path to administrative dissolution (SOS Annual Reports). |
| Amended annual report | $10 | SOS fee schedule: Initial or Amended Annual Report $10. Used outside the annual-report window to update governors / other record fields; agent changes also have a dedicated Statement of Change path (No Fee). |
What this page does not do
It does not quote all of chapters 25.15 and 23.95, does not walk through CCFS screens, and does not pick an agent for you. Change filing compared with TX/FL/CA/WY/NY/DE/IL/GA/NC/PA/NJ/AZ: change of agent.
Questions
Does a Washington LLC need a registered agent?
Yes. RCW 25.15.021(1) requires each limited liability company to continuously maintain in this state a registered agent in accordance with Article 4 of chapter 23.95 RCW. RCW 23.95.405 likewise requires every domestic entity and every registered foreign entity to designate and maintain a registered agent in Washington.
What is a commercial registered agent in Washington?
RCW 23.95 creates two types. A commercial registered agent lists with the Secretary of State under RCW 23.95.420 (in the business of serving as CRA; place of business in this state). On a filing under RCW 23.95.415(1)(a), the entity states the CRA’s name — the SOS Registered Agents page notes a verified address is already on record, so the entity does not re-enter a street address for that CRA. A noncommercial agent is anyone else who consents: an individual, a business, or an office/position title, with a Washington street address and email (RCW 23.95.415(1)(b); SOS COF instructions Rev. 6.2025).
Can a Washington registered agent use a P.O. Box alone?
No. RCW 23.95.410 requires a street address in this state when an address must be stated. The Secretary of State’s Registered Agents page and LLC Certificate of Formation instructions (Rev. 6.2025) state that the agent must maintain a physical address in Washington — PO Boxes or PMBs are prohibited as the street address. A mailing address (which may be a PO Box) may be provided in addition to the physical street address.
How much is a Washington change of registered agent?
The Washington Secretary of State Fee Schedules & Priority Services page lists Change of Registered Agent / Office as No Fee for limited liability companies (retrieved 14 September 2026). The instrument is a statement of change under RCW 23.95.430; a new agent’s consent in a record must accompany the filing (§23.95.430(3)). Resignation of registered agent is also listed as No Fee.
Does a Washington LLC file an annual report?
Yes. The SOS Annual Reports page requires domestic and foreign business entities to file yearly to keep active status and the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) in good standing. The report is due by the last day of the month the LLC was first formed or registered, and may be filed up to 180 days early. The fee schedule lists Annual Report at $70 for profit business entity types including LLC, and Annual Report with delinquency fee at $95. Late filing can lead to delinquent status and administrative dissolution.
Sources
Official vendor, secretary of state, or statute pages. Third-party “best of” lists were not used. Retrieval dates are on each row.
- RCW 25.15.021 (LLC continuous registered agent; change via RCW 23.95.430) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- RCW 23.95.405 (domestic and registered foreign entities must designate and maintain a registered agent) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- RCW 23.95.410 (addresses in filing: street address in this state; mailing if different) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- RCW 23.95.415 (commercial vs noncommercial designation; prior consent in a record required) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- RCW 23.95.420 (listing of commercial registered agent; place of business in this state) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- RCW 23.95.430 (statement of change of registered agent; new agent consent required) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- WA SOS Fee Schedules & Priority Services (change RA No Fee; annual report $70; delinquency $95) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- WA SOS Registered Agents (commercial vs noncommercial; physical address — no PO Box/PMB) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- WA SOS Annual Reports (due last day of formation month; 180-day early window; UBI) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- WA SOS Filings, Forms & Information (Statement of Change / Designation of Agent; annual report $70) Retrieved 2026-09-14.
- WA SOS LLC Certificate of Formation instructions Rev. 6.2025 (street address; no PO Box/PMB; consent) Retrieved 2026-09-14.