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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

No legalese · Washington

2 Best Foreign Registration Services in Washington (2026), Plainly Answered

In Washington for 2026, we would use WA Registered Agent.org ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in that order. The state's registration fee is $180 with any of them; service fees reach $397 to $497 over three years.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick answer

What the state charges
$180
Good standing needed?
Yes (60 days old at most)
Yearly upkeep
$70, annual report
Our order
WA Registered Agent.org then Mainstay Filing

Who to use in Washington

The order follows our five criteria, led by cost and coverage.
1Best overall

1. WA Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state

Service $199, agent renewal $99

WA Registered Agent.org leads our list: three years of service fees come to $397.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing puts it first for a company staying in Washington.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • Agent included, year one

Upsides

  • $99 a year from year two
  • $199 over the state fee
  • Year-one agent included

What to weigh

  • No coverage outside the state
Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Most included

2. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs adding states

Service $199, agent renewal $149

Mainstay Filing is next: it costs $199 plus Washington's fee, with a free first year of registered agent service and $149 a year after.

The $100 three-year difference against WA Registered Agent.org is why it sits lower.

The registered agent renews at $149 a year in every state.

The price covers

  • State registration
  • Registered agent, included for year one
  • Available in all fifty states

Upsides

  • Registered agent free in year one
  • Any state, one fee
  • $199 plus Washington's fee

What to weigh

  • Higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Compare at a glance

#ProviderFirst yearLater yearsOver three yearsWhat it covers
1WA Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397state registration; agent included, year oneVisit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497state registration; registered agent, included for year one; available in all fifty statesVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices on November 12, 2026, before state fees.

Common questions

Does my out-of-state LLC need to register?

Doing business in Washington with an LLC from elsewhere means registering first.

sos.wa.gov (October 2026)

What are the fees?

On your own, $180. With a service, add $199.

By year three the state will have collected $320. sos.wa.gov (October 2026)

What is the application called?

What you file: the Foreign Registration Statement. Where: the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division.

Attach certificate of existence (good standing) or similar document from the last 60 days.

Is there a yearly filing?

You keep filing the annual report ($70).

Due: last day of your registration month.

How did you rank them?

WA Registered Agent.org wins on three-year cost, our 35% criterion.

We start with three-year cost (35%), then what the price takes off your plate (30%).

WA Registered Agent.org keeps $100 in your pocket over three years compared with Mainstay Filing.

Our full method

Washington requirements checklist

ItemWhat it isSource
Fee to register$180sos.wa.gov (October 2026)
Home-state documentYes, 60 dayssos.wa.gov (October 2026)
Annual report$70sos.wa.gov (October 2026)
State cost over 3 years$320Added up from the above
Filing fee, the reports in years two and three, then any minimum tax: that is the three-year line.

Other quick questions

Is one agent enough for both states?

The home state rules still apply there. A provider in every state, such as Mainstay Filing, can cover both.

Three years in, what has each cost?

WA Registered Agent.org $397 and Mainstay Filing $497 in service fees.

Where do these figures come from?

Washington's own publications for the state side, published company prices for the rest.

Do I have to use a service?

No. The state accepts filings from owners; a service saves time and handles the agent role.

Can someone else file the registration?

Yes. Each pick here files it for you; the state fee is the same either way.

Which one should I hire in Washington?

WA Registered Agent.org first: you pay $199 over the state fee, then $99 each year. Mainstay Filing follow.

Where these answers come from

  1. August 2026: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations, ccfs.sos.wa.gov
  2. August 2026: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations, sos.wa.gov
  3. October 2026: Washington yearly filing: Annual report, sos.wa.gov
  4. August 2026: Washington report due date, app.leg.wa.gov
  5. October 2026: Washington formation fee: Filing fee, sos.wa.gov
  6. October 2026: Washington formation fee: Filing fee, sos.wa.gov
  7. October 2026: Washington registered agent statute, app.leg.wa.gov
  8. October 2026: Washington SOS, register a foreign, sos.wa.gov
  9. October 2026: Washington SOS, fee schedules and, sos.wa.gov
  10. October 2026: RCW 23.95.520, activities that are, app.leg.wa.gov
  11. October 2026: RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not, app.leg.wa.gov
  12. October 2026: RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement, app.leg.wa.gov
  13. October 2026: Washington SOS, registered agents, sos.wa.gov
  14. WA Registered Agent.org pricing page (prices on November 12, 2026)
  15. Mainstay Filing Washington service page (prices on November 12, 2026)