Skip to content
Formation ClassClass is in session: LLC paperwork, state by state.

Class session 2 · Washington

Washington Registered Agent Class (2026): 6 Assignments and the 2 Best Agents

If you want help getting a registered agent in Washington in 2026, the top grades go to Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) and WA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), in that order. In 6 assignments you will learn what Washington requires of a registered agent, who qualifies, which address counts and how the agent is put on record.

Taught by the Formation Class faculty

Key facts for this class

Needed by law?Yesapp.leg.wa.gov, last read in October 2026
Yearly cost of the graded agents$99 to $149 a yearRead from each company's price page
Annual report$70 a yearsos.wa.gov, last read in October 2026
Assignments in this class6From first to last

Class objectives

  • What the law says
  • Eligibility and address rules
  • Naming the agent with the state
  • How the picks compare

The Washington honor roll

The teacher's five criteria are on how we grade, and they decide the order.
Best overall

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies working in several states

$149 a year, $149 at renewal

Mainstay Filing gets first place, and the reason is that the agent is $149 a year and can come along when the company adds a state.

WA Registered Agent.org is $150 cheaper over three years; this one still earns the higher grade because it does more of the work.

Covered by the tuition

  • A registered office in Washington
  • Scans of papers served on the company, free and on the same business day
  • Three government letters a year are scanned free
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Strengths

  • Good in every state
  • A flat $149 yearly

Weak spots

  • $50 a year above WA Registered Agent.org
  • This plan does not file your reports
Washington specialist

2. WA Registered Agent.org: best for owners based in the state

$99 a year, $99 at renewal

Grade number 2 belongs to WA Registered Agent.org, where a street address inside the state for the registered office, at $99 a year.

Covered by the tuition

  • A Washington address for the registered office
  • Served documents appear online

Strengths

  • Yearly price below the national pick
  • Price $99; renews at $99

Weak spots

  • A single-state service
  • Annual report is homework it leaves to you

Grades and prices together

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2WA Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit WA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's posted price on November 13, 2026. State fees do not change with your choice of agent.

Naming a Washington registered agent, assignment by assignment

  1. Assignment
    1

    Start with the rule

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

    Textbook page: app.leg.wa.gov, last read in October 2026

  2. Assignment
    2

    Find out who is allowed to serve

    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. Legal source: RCW 23.95.415.

  3. Assignment
    3

    Pass the address test

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

    Each service in this class provides the in-state address.

  4. Assignment
    4

    Be your own agent or hire one

    If you pass the tests above, you can name yourself; hiring one of the graded agents costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Assignment
    5

    Record the appointment

    For a newly formed Washington LLC, the Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company is where the agent is named. Any later switch is filed separately at the Washington Secretary of State.

    Textbook page: sos.wa.gov, last read in October 2026

  6. Assignment
    6

    Keep the agent record accurate

    Each year the annual report confirms the agent's details for $70, by last day of the entity's anniversary month. A late filing costs $25.

    Textbook page: sos.wa.gov, last read in October 2026

Washington agent costs

EntryPaid toCost
A professional agentThe provider$99 to $149 a year
RenewalThe provider$99 to $149 a year
Annual reportState office$70 every year
The state's fees come from official pages, listed below. Added up over three years they are the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

The reasoning behind the grades

On homework the price does (34% of the grade) came out on top, with close behind.

WA Registered Agent.org costs less, but reach across states won the higher grade.

Washington questions

Could a Washington LLC skip a registered agent?

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

Can I be my own registered agent?

Often. Run the two tests in assignments 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

Yes. A switch takes a change filing at the Washington Secretary of State (assignment 5).

What does a registered agent cost in Washington?

Prices here run $99 to $149 a year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The LLC hands in the annual report for $70 every year.

Which registered agent would you choose?

Pick Mainstay Filing: a flat $149 a year, whichever state the LLC sits in. Then WA Registered Agent.org.

Keep learning

Textbook pages and extra reading

  1. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division lesson rests on ccfs.sos.wa.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
  2. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division lesson rests on sos.wa.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
  3. The Washington yearly filing: Annual report, official source lesson rests on sos.wa.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
  4. The Washington report due date lesson rests on app.leg.wa.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
  5. The Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source lesson rests on sos.wa.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
  6. The Washington formation fee: Filing fee, official source lesson rests on sos.wa.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
  7. The Washington registered agent statute lesson rests on app.leg.wa.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
  8. Mainstay Filing's Washington service page, read on November 13, 2026
  9. WA Registered Agent.org's pricing page, read on November 13, 2026