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Lesson 2 · Washington

How to Get a Registered Agent in Washington (2026): 6 Steps and the 2 Best Agents

WA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) are our 2026 picks, in that order, for a registered agent in Washington. Then come 6 steps, one rule at a time.

The Founder Classroom teaching team ·

The short version

Requirement
YesOfficial: app.leg.wa.gov, October 2026
Agent price
$99 to $149 a yearListed prices
Annual report
$70 a yearOfficial: sos.wa.gov, October 2026
Lesson steps
6Each one explained

What you will learn

  • What the law says
  • Who may act as agent
  • Getting the agent on file
  • Which agents we would use, and why

Teacher's pick

The Washington services we recommend

Same five criteria in every state; see how we grade.
Best overall

1. WA Registered Agent.org: best for one-state companies

$99 per year, same at renewal

For most new founders in Washington, WA Registered Agent.org: $99 a year, the same at renewal, for an LLC that stays in Washington.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing puts it first; cost carries 30% of the rubric.

What you get

  • Registered office address
  • Online copies of served documents

What we like

  • $99 yearly
  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing

Watch out for

  • One-state service
  • Does not file the annual report
Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Any state

2. Mainstay Filing: best for a single agent nationwide

$149 per year, same at renewal

Mainstay Filing is a solid second choice: an agent at $149 a year that can follow the company into new states.

Over three years it costs $150 more than WA Registered Agent.org, and cost carries 30% of our grade.

What you get

  • A Washington street address on the record
  • Service of process scanned the same business day at no charge
  • Three government mailings a year scanned free
  • Covers LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs and nonprofits

What we like

  • One provider everywhere
  • $149 yearly, no increase

Watch out for

  • WA Registered Agent.org is $50 a year less
  • Reports need the formation package
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices at a glance

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1WA Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices from each company's own site, read November 12, 2026. The state charges the same whichever agent you name.

The steps

  1. Step 1: Know the Washington rule

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Official source: Official: app.leg.wa.gov, October 2026

  2. Step 2: See who qualifies as agent

    A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, a noncommercial agent (any person or business with a Washington address), or the holder of a named position in the company. The agent consents in advance. See RCW 23.95.415.

  3. Step 3: Get the address right

    The address has to be a physical street address in Washington. P.O. boxes and private mailboxes are not accepted.

    TipUsing a service keeps your own address off the public record.

  4. Step 4: Decide who takes the role

    Our picks cost $99 to $149 a year. The other choice is to serve yourself, if the rules allow it.

  5. Step 5: Get the agent on file

    A new LLC lists its agent in the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company. Switching agents later is a separate change filing with the Washington Secretary of State.

    Official source: Official: sos.wa.gov, October 2026

  6. Step 6: Look after it each year

    Each year, the annual report confirms your details for $70, by last day of the entity's anniversary month. Late filings cost $25.

    Official source: Official: sos.wa.gov, October 2026

The cost of this lesson

StepPaid toAmount
A professional agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
Agent renewalThe service$99 to $149 a year
Annual reportState$70 every year
The state rows are official figures; the service row uses each company's published price. The three-year total leaves service fees out.

How we ranked the Washington picks

Lesson note: first place in Washington came down to three-year cost, worth 30% of the grade.

The three-year bill with WA Registered Agent.org is $297, and the gap to Mainstay Filing is $150.

Quick answers

Do I need a registered agent in Washington?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own registered agent?

You can, as long as you qualify under steps 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

You can switch at any time by filing the change with the Washington Secretary of State.

What does a registered agent cost in Washington?

Our picks charge $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The annual report, $70 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

We'd go with WA Registered Agent.org, because a Washington street address for the registered office at $99 a year. Then Mainstay Filing.

Next up

Where these facts come from

  1. Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division, published at ccfs.sos.wa.gov, as of August 2026
  2. Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division, published at sos.wa.gov, as of August 2026
  3. Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source, published at sos.wa.gov, as of October 2026
  4. Washington report due date, published at app.leg.wa.gov, as of August 2026
  5. Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source, published at sos.wa.gov, as of October 2026
  6. Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source, published at sos.wa.gov, as of October 2026
  7. Washington registered agent statute, published at app.leg.wa.gov, as of October 2026
  8. WA Registered Agent.org, pricing page (read November 12, 2026)
  9. Mainstay Filing, Washington service page (read November 12, 2026)