Skip to content
Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Answered simply · Washington

2 Best LLC Services in Washington (2026), Plainly Answered

We'd pick Mainstay Filing ($199) and WA Registered Agent.org ($199) in Washington for 2026, in that order. Every option pays the same $200 filing fee; service fees for three years run $397 to $597.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Plainly put

Fee to form
$200, paid once
Each year after
$70 per year
Registered agent
Yes, required
Our order
Mainstay Filing then WA Registered Agent.org

Who we'd hire in Washington

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
1Top pick

1. Mainstay Filing: best for hands-off owners

Annual price $199, renewal price $199, state fee extra

Mainstay Filing is the one we'd hire first in Washington, because you pay $199 a year and the formation, the registered agent and the annual report are handled.

Yes, WA Registered Agent.org saves $200 across three years. We still put the fuller service first.

It files the annual report for you and passes on the $70 state fee at cost.

The price covers

  • State filing handled
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report filed for you
  • Applying for your EIN
  • No markup on state fees

Upsides

  • No extra charge for the EIN application
  • Renews at $199
  • $199 yearly, all in

What to weigh

  • $100 more per year after year one
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Washington only

2. WA Registered Agent.org: best for a small first-year bill

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

WA Registered Agent.org ranks second, because it charges $199 to form the LLC, agent included for year one, then $99 a year.

The annual report is not in its price, so you file that yourself.

The price covers

  • Your LLC filed
  • Year-one agent

Upsides

  • $99 a year from year two
  • First agent year in the price
  • $199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

  • You handle the annual report on your own
  • EIN help is $99 more
Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices together

#ProviderTo startYear two on3-year costWhat it covers
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597state filing handled; registered agent for the full year; annual report filed for youVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2WA Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Your LLC filed; Year-one agentVisit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Service fees only, from each company's prices on November 12, 2026. State fees are the same with every pick.

Common questions

What does it cost to form an LLC here?

Filing yourself costs $200. With a service, add $199.

Counting the recurring report, the state's own fees reach $340 by the end of year three. sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026

Who receives the filing?

The LLC starts life when the Washington Secretary of State accepts the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company.

Legal basis: RCW 25.15.071. sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026

Must the LLC name a registered agent?

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

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.

app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026

What comes due after the LLC exists?

Budget $70 each year for the annual report. Put it on the calendar: last day of the entity's anniversary month.

Filing late costs $25.

sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026

Can I skip the service?

No service is required; on your own, three years of state fees come to $340.

The services charge $397 to $597 across three years for that work.

What put the first pick first?

What the price takes off your plate (30% of our weighting) put Mainstay Filing first.

Three-year cost counts for 35% and what the price takes off your plate for 30%; the other three criteria are smaller.

Put plainly: you never have to remember the annual report, and that is worth more to us than a smaller bill.

The criteria in full

The official requirements

ItemWhat it isFrom
LLC filing fee$200sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026
Registered agentYes, requiredapp.leg.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026
Annual report$70 every yearsos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026
State fees, first three years$340Computed from the rows
Every amount links to its official source. The three-year line is our own sum of filing, reports and any minimum tax.

Other quick questions

Who handles the EIN?

EIN help costs $99 with WA Registered Agent.org, and nothing extra with Mainstay Filing.

What happens if I miss the report?

The penalty is $25.

How do the three-year costs compare?

Mainstay Filing $597 and WA Registered Agent.org $397, state fees extra.

What are the numbers based on?

Official Washington sources for state fees, company price pages for service fees.

Do I have to use a service?

No law requires one. A service is a convenience.

Which one should I hire in Washington?

Mainstay Filing first: the annual report is part of its $199 yearly price, along with formation and the registered agent. WA Registered Agent.org follow.

Official sources and prices

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