Best LLC Services in Washington

Washington's business boom is real, but so are the filing mistakes. Use these best LLC services to avoid rookie errors.

With booming industries like aerospace, agriculture, and cloud computing, Washington is a great place to launch an LLC. But if you want to start strong, you've got to file smart.

Fortunately, these top LLC services in Washington can save you time, keep you compliant, and help you avoid rookie mistakes. Dive in!

Northwest Registered Agent

Best for: LLCs that want to keep things private

Northwest Registered Agent is a solid pick for forming an LLC in Washington—especially if privacy is a top priority.

Washington's Certificate of Formation requires both a registered agent address and an executor's address. With Northwest, you can use their Spokane address for both. They'll be your LLC's executor and registered agent, so you don't have to list your private address anywhere publicly.

Plus, unlike many national services that lease addresses through third parties, Northwest actually has its own office in Spokane. That gives them full control over how your documents are handled, with no middlemen involved. Meaning your documents are processed faster and more securely.

Whether you're based in Spokane, Seattle, or anywhere else in Washington, Northwest offers an easy way to protect your privacy while staying 100% compliant.

Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the country's oldest LLC services. It has offices in every state, including one in Spokane, and is known for its enhanced privacy features.

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

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• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

Core services and fees:
Northwest Registered Agent offers just one LLC formation package, with add-on services:

• Filing Services: $39 + state fees^[1]
  Aside from preparing and filing your documents, you also get one year of free registered agent service, an operating agreement, and 90 days of free website, email, and phone.

• Registered Agent Services: $125/year^[2]
  Get same-day scans, instant notifications, a business address, free mail forwarding, and more.

• Annual Report: $100/year + state fees^[3]
  Most states require LLCs to submit an annual report. It contains updated information about your business, including a new address, contact number, or member. Northwest files this report yearly, so you don't have to worry about due dates.

• Identity Services: $9+/monthly^[4]
  Northwest's business identity services are free for 90 days. Identity services include a website domain name, a customizable website, up to 10 business email addresses, and an Internet-accessible phone line (unlimited calls and texts).

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: LLCs in high-risk industries

Some of Washington's biggest industries—like aerospace, tech, and forest products—come with extra layers of risk and regulation. If your business falls into one of these categories, LegalZoom's lawyer-backed LLC service can give you a stronger start.

With its premium plan, a licensed attorney can oversee your LLC formation and help flag legal concerns before they become problems. You'll get personalized consultations to ask about Washington-specific compliance issues, industry regulations, or anything else you're unsure about.

It costs more than a basic filing service, but the legal support could save you from costly mistakes later.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped form over 4 million businesses^[5] and is BBB-accredited^[6]. Although pricier than other providers, LegalZoom's combination of business and legal services could be valuable.

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Core services and fees:^[7]
LegalZoom has three LLC formation packages to choose from:

• Basic: $0 + state fees
  With LegalZoom's free plan, you get a business name availability check and of course, preparation and filing of formation documents. You only pay for the state filing fees.

• Pro: $249 + state fees
  Pro comes with everything from Basic and a few helpful features, like an operating agreement and EIN. You might also appreciate the free year of e-signature services, bookkeeping tools, and editor access to customizable forms.

• Premium: $299 + state fees
  With Premium, you get everything in the first two plans, plus a 30-day subscription for legal guidance services, copyright registration service, and LLC amendments with rush filing.

Pros + Cons:

ZenBusiness

Best for: LLCs with business permit and license needs

Washington is one of the few states that requires a state-level business license. It costs $50 for the first year and must be renewed annually for $5.^[8]

But that's just the beginning. Depending on your industry and location, your LLC might also need local permits, specialty licenses, or approvals from several agencies, making it easy to miss a step.

ZenBusiness simplifies the process by providing a personalized report of every license and permit your business needs, along with clear instructions on how to apply. They won't file the permits for you, but you'll know exactly where to go, what to do, and how much to pay—without spending hours piecing it together on your own.

It's a smart choice if you want to launch your business faster without wading through Washington's licensing maze.

Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness has helped over 800,000 businesses^[9] and received mostly positive customer reviews. It is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.^[10]

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

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• Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
• Standard filing speed
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Other services are available with additional costs

Packages and fees:^[12]
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation: a free basic package, and 2 paid tiers with annual fees.

• Starter: $0 + state fees
  With Starter, you get standard formation features like business name search, preparation and filing of formation documents, and an online account to access documents.

  The Starter plan also includes a free year of Worry-Free Compliance services and a free tax savings consultation.

• Pro: $199/yr + state fees
  Pro is ideal if you want ZenBusiness to handle most of your LLC's requirements without paying for each service separately. You get everything in Starter plus an operating agreement, EIN, and rush filing.

• Premium: $299/yr + state fees
  Premium includes everything in the first two plans, plus unlimited access to Zenbusiness's business template library, a business website, and business email.

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: LLC tax structure and tax advice

Washington doesn't have a state income tax, but that doesn't mean your LLC is off the hook. You'll still deal with the state's business & occupation tax, which is based on your gross income and business classification.

Washington also has a state sales tax, plus local sales and B&O taxes in cities like Seattle. Depending on your business, you might have to pay industry-specific taxes.

That's why it pays to get your tax setup right from day one. With Rocket Lawyer, you not only get help forming your LLC—you also get access to lawyers who can help with:

• Choosing the right LLC and tax structure
  
• Preparing and filing tax returns
  
• Finding deductions and credits to lower your tax bill

When your LLC is structured properly from the start, you're more likely to save money and avoid tax headaches later on.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[13] Its extensive network of on-call professional attorneys can assist with business registration, business contracts, trademarks, and more.

Plans and Pricing:^[14]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

Tailor Brands

Best for: LLC formation with branding services

Washington is home to giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks—brands that set a high bar for polish and professionalism. Even as a small business, your customers expect you to look the part from day one.

Tailor Brands helps you meet those expectations by combining LLC formation with everything you need to launch a professional brand. You'll get a custom logo, branded email, domain name, website builder, and more—all in one place.

Instead of juggling multiple platforms, you can set up your legal paperwork and visual identity in a single workflow. That means fewer headaches and a faster path to looking credible online.

Because in a design-savvy, digital-first state like Washington, good branding isn't just a nice-to-have—it's how you stay competitive.

Founded in 2014, Tailor Brands is an online business formation company specializing in LLC and branding services. It's recommended for business owners who need help establishing their company's brand identity on top of starting an LLC.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

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• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

Pricing and packages:
Tailor Brands offers three types of LLC formation packages:

• Lite: $0 + state fees
  With Tailor Brands' cheapest plan, you only need to pay the state filing fees, then you'll get formation services like name availability research and preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization.

• Essential: $199/yr + state fees
  For an annual fee, the Essential plan also includes an operating agreement and annual compliance services. You're also entitled to expedited filing within two business days after payment.

• Elite: $249/yr + state fees
  Only Tailor Brands' most expensive plan comes with business branding tools. It includes extras like a 1-year free website domain, DIY website or e-commerce store, complimentary logos, business card tools, and a social media post tool.

Tailor Brands also offers add-ons like registered agents, business license and permit reports, and other business branding services.

Pros + Cons:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in Washington, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in Washington.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	$39 + state fees
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$125/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	7 to 10 business days	Within 1 business day
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	90-day money-back guarantee; State fees are non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	24/7 Phone: 509-768-2249 Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in Washington

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in Washington?

Establishing a limited liability company in Washington offers several advantages. For instance, it's one of the few states with no personal income tax. This means less tax burden for LLC owners.

Additionally, Washington is home to globally recognized companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing. This creates a robust ecosystem for startups and tech-based businesses, with access to a highly skilled workforce.

With fewer tax requirements and a strong entrepreneurial culture, Washington offers a promising environment for startup LLCs.

How to Form an LLC in Washington

Starting an LLC in Washington is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in Washington. It must also have Limited Liability Company, LLC, or similar at the end.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Certificate of Formation
   Next, submit the Certificate of Formation and the filing fee to the Washington Secretary of State. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the initial report and annual report and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Washington a good state for an LLC?

  Yes, Washington can be a good state to form an LLC because it has a thriving business environment. However, it can be expensive to do business in Washington, especially if you're in big cities like Seattle and Bellevue. Rent, wages, and utilities can be higher in these areas, which can stretch your startup budget.

• How much does an LLC cost in Washington?

  It costs at least $180 to file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State.^[15] However, the total cost of forming an LLC in Washington will likely be higher than that.

  You might also need to pay for things like registered agent services, business permits and licenses, and business name reservation fees.

• Do LLCs pay taxes in Washington?

  Yes, LLCs pay taxes in Washington. While it doesn't have a state income tax for LLC owners, you'll have to pay the B&O tax based on gross receipts of the business, not profits. That means you owe taxes even if your business isn't yet turning a profit.

• Do I need to renew my LLC every year in Washington state?

  Yes, you need to renew your Washington LLC every year. All Washington LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. This keeps your LLC in good standing and prevents it from being closed due to compliance issues.

• What is the difference between Washington LLC and Professional LLC?

  A regular Washington LLC is for most types of businesses—like online shops, restaurants, and marketing agencies. A Washington PLLC, on the other hand, is for licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, and architects.

Bottom Line

Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness are the best LLC services in Washington because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From registered agents to ongoing compliance, their comprehensive services can help your business thrive in the competitive Washington market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

References