Change Washington registered agent
You can change a registered agent by informing the Secretary of State by filing a 'Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent' form. Learn how to do this step by step.
Who are they?
Agent for service of process
Also known as a registered agent, resident agent, statutory agent, etc in various states. These agents are physically located in the state where business entities operate. They receive important legal documents on behalf of the business entity.
Receive service of process
Their primary task is to receive tax forms, judicial notices, and other legal documents during business hours, 5 days a week.
For all business entities
Most business entities including LLCs, corporations, and partnerships require these agents in every state they operate in.
Not PO boxes
Agents must have a physical street address in the state. Not just PO boxes.
Details are public
The address and contact details of these agents are made public by the Secretary of State.
Actions
Step-by-step instructions
How to change a registered agent in Washington?
Check the steps below:
1. Find a new registered agent
Before you plan to change your existing registered agent, make sure to find an alternative registered agent in the state.
If you are physically located in the state, you can be a registered agent for your own LLC. But paying a service provider to become a registered agent will give you much-needed peace of mind.
You can also find a new registered agent through the state's business entity search tool.
2. Inform existing registered agent
You may inform your existing registered agent about your decision to replace them.
3. Inform the State
To change the registered agent for an LLC in Washington, file a 'Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent' form online with the Secretary of State.
Filing fee
Free
Alternatively, you can also change the registered agent by filing LLC's annual report if you are within the filing period of the report.
Filing fees
$60
Registered agent
A registered agent is an agent of your LLC on whom any notice, process or demand may be served. Every LLC in Washington needs to have a registered agent located in the state.
Requirements
According to Revised Code of Washington § 23.95.400:
- 1
Registered agent can be an individual or an authorised organisation.
- 2
Registered agent must have a street address where they can personally receive service of process.
- 3
Office of Registered agent cannot be just a mailbox service of a telephone answering service.
Failure to maintain registered agent
If you fail to appoint or maintain a registered agent, the Secretary of State becomes an agent of the entity upon whom any such process, notice or demand may be served.
LLC Annual Report
Every LLC has to file this report in Washington to stay compliant with the state laws.
Filing Annual Report
Washington LLC is expected to file this report annually
File it online on Washington Secretary of State website
Visit
Mail a form to Washington Secretary of State
PDF
Address
Corporations and Charities Division
P.O. Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504
Online fee
$60
Online processing time
instant
Mailing fee
$60
Mail processing time
10-12 days
Failure to pay
The state charges a $25 penalty for failure to file on time. In addition, LLCs may be dissolved for failing to file an annual report.
Note
An initial report is due within 120 days of forming an LLC. After that it is due annually by the end of the registration anniversary month. So if you incorporated or foreign-qualified on March 4, then your annual report is due every year by March 31. You can start filing 45 days prior.
Frequently asked questions
Business guides in Washington
Registered agents are mandatory for almost all entities in Washington including LLCs and corporations. Learn more about how these businesses are conducted in Washington.
Washington LLC
Washington business search