Change Washington LLC name
You can change the name of a Washington LLC by filing amended articles of formation with the secretary of state. Read the step-by-step instructions below:
Official Washington form to change LLC name
Fill up the LLC amendment form and mail it to the Washington secretary of state to change an LLC's name.
Amendment form
What is an LLC?
Limited Liability Company
LLC is a business entity in the U.S that provides limited liability to its members. It has characteristics from both corporation and sole proprietorship. LLCs are permitted under State statutes of each US state.
Limited liability
Personal assets are protected for people with limited liability when they are sued.
Corporation
A business entity that can issue shares and give limited liability to shareholders.
Members
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Sole proprietorship
Where an individual engages in business activity without formal organization.
Types of LLC
Depends on the number of members and whether it has elected to change its IRS classification.
Single-member LLC
Has only a single member. IRS considers it as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
LLC as C-corp
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Multi-member LLC
Has two members. IRS considers it as a partnership for tax purposes.
LLC as S-corp
A special election for a maximum of 100 US shareholders.
Actions
Step-by-step instructions
How to change an LLC name in Washington?
Check the steps below:
1. Choose a new name
Before you proceed with changing your existing LLC name, make sure to find a new LLC name that suits your business.
Ensure the name follows the state's LLC naming guidelines. See them in detail below.
Search for possible names through the state's business entity search tool. Make sure the name you pick is available.
2. Reserve the new name (optional)
Optionally, you can reserve a name with the state. You can do so by paying reservation fees to the Washington secretary of state.
Reservation fee
$30
Reservation period
180 days
3. File amended certificate of formation
You may fill and file an amended certificate of formation for the LLC with the secretary of state via mail to update the state of the new name.
Filing fees
$30
Address
Office of the Secretary of State,
Corporations & Charities Division,
PO Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504-0234
4. Update your operating agreement
Make note of the name change in your operating agreement and update accordingly.
5. Update state and federal government records
Check all the government records, including tax registrations, employer records, etc and update your new name.
6. Inform your business contacts
Make sure you update your bank, vendors, customers and other related parties with your LLC's new name
Entity name
Every LLC should have a unique name in Washington. Washington maintains a list of names of entities in the state. Go through it to check if your chosen name is available.
Search for names
Go to the official website of the Washington corporations search tool to see if the name you want is available.
Searching fee
Free
Reservation
You can reserve a name for your LLC for a specific duration by paying reservation fees to the Washington corporations division. You will have to file your LLC formation documents within this period to keep the name. Alternatively, you can directly go ahead with the LLC formation without any reservation. That's fine too.
Reservation fee
$40
Reservation period
180 days
LLC naming guidelines
The name you choose for your LLC must the official naming guidelines.
RCW §23.95.305
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Here are some of the guidelines in simple language:
- 1
Must contain the words "Limited Liability Company," the words "Limited Liability" and abbreviation "Co.," or the abbreviation "L.L.C." or "LLC"
- 2
Don’t include terms that indicate that you are doing an activity that you are not authorised to do.
- 3
Your name should be ‘distinguishable’ in the Secretary of State records. Adding a punctuation or ‘the’ does not make it distinguishable.
- 4
Don’t use words that makes it seems like you are a governmental entity or has an affiliation.
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
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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
Related steps in Washington
LLC in Washington is a powerful entity for entrepreneurs. After the formation, you may have to add a member, remove a member or change registered agents. Read how to do these actions.
Washington LLC
Washington LLC add member
Washington LLC remove member