Washington Articles of Incorporation is the founding legal document that creates a corporation in the State of Washington, filed with the Washington Secretary of State Corporations Division under Title 23B RCW for for-profit corporations or Title 24.03A RCW for nonprofits. Without this filing, your business has no legal existence as a corporation, no liability shield, and no authority to issue stock or open a corporate bank account.
The document looks short, but every box carries weight. A wrong registered agent address, a missing share class, or a skipped incorporator signature can trigger a rejection that costs weeks of lost time and forces you to refile from scratch. Washington processes more than 120,000 new business filings each year, and the Secretary of State’s office reports that roughly 1 in 5 paper filings come back for correction on the first pass.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 How to complete every line of the Washington Articles of Incorporation, box by box
- 🏛️ Which Washington statute governs each field and what happens if you violate it
- 💵 The exact filing fees, payment methods, and processing times for online, mail, and in-person submission
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get Washington Articles rejected and how to avoid them
- 🧾 Three full filled-out scenarios using real-world fact patterns from solo founders, co-founder startups, and LLC conversions
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Washington Articles of Incorporation is the charter document that legally forms a corporation under state law. For for-profit corporations, the form is governed by RCW 23B.02.020, which lists the mandatory and optional contents. For nonprofit corporations, the parallel statute is RCW 24.03A.205, part of the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act that took full effect on January 1, 2022. Professional service corporations file under Chapter 18.100 RCW and must attach a license verification from the relevant licensing board.
You must file Articles of Incorporation if you want to operate any business or charitable organization as a Washington corporation. That includes startups raising venture capital, family-owned C-corps, S-corp elections, charitable nonprofits seeking 501(c)(3) status, churches, homeowners’ associations, and licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, architects, and accountants. Sole proprietors, general partnerships, and LLCs do not file this form. LLCs file a Certificate of Formation under Chapter 25.15 RCW instead.
The current revision date printed on the for-profit Articles is Rev. 04/2024, and the nonprofit version is Rev. 01/2022 to match the Nonprofit Act overhaul. Always confirm you have the latest version by downloading directly from the Washington Secretary of State forms page instead of using a third-party PDF, because outdated versions reference repealed statutes and get rejected on intake.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling together your information before you log in to file saves rework and prevents the dreaded mid-form timeout that wipes your entries. The Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) closes a session after about 20 minutes of inactivity, and there is no autosave on the for-profit application. Have everything in front of you before you start.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- Proposed corporate name. The name must include “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation under RCW 23B.04.010. Without a compliant suffix the system rejects the filing on submission.
- Name availability check. Run your name through the Washington Business Search before filing. If the name is too similar to an existing entity, the entire fee is forfeited on rejection.
- Registered agent name and Washington street address. A P.O. Box alone is invalid under RCW 23B.05.010. Without a valid registered office the corporation cannot be served lawsuits.
- Registered agent consent. Washington requires the agent’s signed consent on the form, either typed (online) or wet-signed (paper). Missing consent is the #2 rejection reason statewide.
- Number and class of authorized shares. You need a specific count, not a range. Most startups authorize 10,000,000 common shares, but the right number depends on your cap table.
- Incorporator name and mailing address. At least one incorporator is required under RCW 23B.02.010. The incorporator can be any natural person 18 or older.
- Initial directors (optional but recommended). Listing them on the Articles satisfies the organizational meeting requirement for many corporate purposes.
- Principal office street address. Required by the 2020 amendments to RCW 23B.01.220 for the public-facing record.
- Email address for the entity. Used for renewal reminders and statutory notices.
- Effective date. Decide whether to make the corporation effective on the filing date or up to 90 days later under RCW 23B.01.230.
- Payment method. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or e-check for online; check or money order payable to “Secretary of State” for mail.
- Federal EIN plan. You will need an IRS EIN within a few days of formation to open a bank account.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official paper form for for-profit corporations is the Articles of Incorporation – For Profit PDF posted on the Secretary of State’s forms page. The nonprofit version is the Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit PDF, and the professional corporation version sits on the same page. Always pull a fresh copy each time you file because Washington updates form revisions when statutes change.
The fastest path is online filing through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS). You will create a free CCFS account, choose “Create or Register a Business,” select the entity type, and walk through a guided sequence of screens that mirrors the paper form’s fields. Online filing is processed in 2 business days under standard service and the same business day with expedited service.
Mail filers download the PDF, print it, fill it out in black ink or type entries, sign in blue ink, and mail it to: Corporations Division, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234. In-person filers can drop off at 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA 98504 during business hours. Mail filings take 5 to 7 weeks for non-expedited processing, while in-person expedited filings are typically completed the same day.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Washington Articles of Incorporation Line by Line
The line-by-line walkthrough below follows the for-profit form because it is the most filed version. Where the nonprofit form differs in a meaningful way, that difference is called out inside the relevant subsection.
Box 1: UBI Number (If Already Assigned)
The Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is a 9-digit number Washington uses to track every business across multiple agencies, issued by the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service.
How to answer it. If you already have a UBI from a prior registration (for example, a sole proprietorship you are now incorporating), enter the 9-digit number with no dashes or spaces. If you do not have one yet, leave the field blank. The system will assign one automatically.
Example entry. Maria Lopez incorporated her bakery after running it as a sole prop for two years and writes 602-145-789 in the UBI field.
Nuance. If you are converting an LLC to a corporation, you keep the same UBI under RCW 23.95.405. Entering the LLC’s UBI here links the histories.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers often enter their EIN here by accident. The Secretary of State’s system bounces any non-UBI 9-digit number that does not match its database, holding the filing for manual review.
Misconception. Many founders think they need a UBI before filing Articles. They do not. The UBI is generated automatically when no number is entered.
Box 2: Corporate Name
This is the official legal name of your corporation. The rules in RCW 23B.04.010 require a corporate designator at the end of the name and prohibit names that are deceptively similar to existing Washington entities.
How to answer it. Type the full proposed name exactly as you want it printed on the certificate. Include one of the required suffixes: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, Corp., Inc., Co., or Ltd. Do not use punctuation marks the system cannot store, such as the registered trademark symbol.
Example entry. A two-founder fintech startup writes Northwest Ledger Technologies, Inc. in the name field.
Nuance. Words like Bank, Trust, Insurance, Engineer, and Cooperative trigger additional regulatory review under Chapter 30A RCW and similar statutes. You must attach approval from the relevant agency or the Articles will be held.
Common mistake and consequence. Filing a name that is too similar to an existing Washington corporation causes outright rejection, and the $180 expedited fee is non-refundable under the agency’s posted fee policy.
Misconception. Founders often believe a successful name search guarantees approval. It does not. The examiner makes the final similarity call at intake under WAC 434-112-085.
Box 3: Effective Date of Formation
This sets the legal birthday of your corporation, which controls when liability protection begins and when your first tax year starts.
How to answer it. Choose either “Date of Filing” (the default) or a future date up to 90 days out under RCW 23B.01.230. Enter the future date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Example entry. Janet, who wants her new C-corp to begin on the first day of the next quarter, writes 07/01/2026 in the effective date field.
Nuance. A delayed effective date is powerful for tax planning. A January 1 effective date avoids a short tax year and the need to file two federal returns.
Common mistake and consequence. Picking a future date more than 90 days out causes automatic rejection with no refund of the expedite fee.
Misconception. Many filers think the effective date is the date they signed the Articles. It is not — it is the date the Secretary of State stamps the filing or the future date you specify.
Box 4: Period of Duration
This field declares how long the corporation will exist, and most corporations choose perpetual existence to avoid future paperwork.
How to answer it. Check “Perpetual” unless you have a specific business reason for a fixed term. If you choose a term, enter the exact end date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Example entry. Marcus, forming a real estate holding company for a single 30-year project, writes Specific Period: 12/31/2056.
Nuance. A specific period is useful for single-purpose entities like a film LLC-to-Corp conversion or a real estate development that will be wound down on a known date. It avoids a separate dissolution filing.
Common mistake and consequence. Leaving the box blank causes the system to default to perpetual, which is usually fine but surprises founders who intended a fixed term.
Misconception. Some filers think perpetual means the corporation must operate forever. It only means the corporation has no automatic end date — you can dissolve at any time under RCW 23B.14.020.
Box 5: Registered Agent — Name
The registered agent is the person or company designated to receive lawsuits and official mail on behalf of the corporation, governed by RCW 23B.05.010.
How to answer it. Enter the full legal name of an individual Washington resident or a business entity authorized to do business in Washington. If you use a commercial registered agent service, enter the company name exactly as it appears on the Commercial Registered Agents list.
Example entry. Aisha, a solo founder, writes Aisha N. Patel and lists herself.
Nuance. A founder can serve as their own agent if they have a Washington street address and are available during business hours. Most VCs prefer founders use a commercial agent for privacy.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing an agent who has not consented voids the appointment under RCW 23B.05.011 and exposes the corporation to default judgments.
Misconception. Founders often assume the registered agent must be an attorney. It does not — any Washington resident 18 or older can serve.
Box 6: Registered Agent — Washington Street Address
This is the physical Washington address where the agent can be served process during business hours.
How to answer it. Enter a full Washington street address, including suite or unit number. The city must be a Washington city, and the ZIP code must be a Washington ZIP. Do not enter a P.O. Box alone.
Example entry. Carlos lists his commercial agent at 1417 4th Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101.
Nuance. You can list both a street address and a separate mailing address (including a P.O. Box) so junk mail goes to the box and process gets served at the street.
Common mistake and consequence. Using a UPS Store mailbox formatted as a “Suite” violates WAC 434-112-200 and causes rejection.
Misconception. Filers think a virtual office address counts. It only counts if a live human is present at that address during business hours to accept service.
Box 7: Registered Agent Consent
The agent must affirmatively consent to the appointment in writing, and Washington made this consent statutorily mandatory in 2020.
How to answer it. For online filings, the agent provides an electronic signature inside CCFS. For paper filings, the agent signs and dates a Consent to Serve as Registered Agent block.
Example entry. Maria, serving as her own agent, types Maria Lopez, 06/15/2026 in the consent block.
Nuance. If you switch from a self-appointed agent to a commercial agent later, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent with a new consent.
Common mistake and consequence. Skipping consent — the most frequent rejection cause for paper filings — voids the entire Articles and forfeits the filing fee.
Misconception. Filers think a verbal “yes” from the agent is enough. The statute requires a written or electronic signature.
Box 8: Principal Office Address
This is the corporation’s main place of business, used by the public and by state agencies for non-service mail.
How to answer it. Enter the full street address. If your principal office is outside Washington, that is allowed — only the registered agent address must be in Washington.
Example entry. A Delaware-incorporated parent forming a Washington subsidiary lists 500 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801 as the principal office.
Nuance. Home-based founders can list their home address, but it becomes a public record on the Secretary of State website. A commercial address is a privacy upgrade.
Common mistake and consequence. Mismatching the principal office and the DOR Business Licensing record creates cross-agency holds on B&O tax registration.
Misconception. Filers think the principal office must be the same as the registered office. It does not — they are independent fields.
Box 9: Authorized Shares — Number
This is the maximum number of shares the corporation can ever issue without amending the Articles, controlled by RCW 23B.06.010.
How to answer it. Enter a whole number. Most early-stage startups authorize 10,000,000 common shares; small family businesses often use 1,000 or 10,000.
Example entry. A two-founder SaaS startup writes 10,000,000 in the authorized shares field.
Nuance. Authorizing too few shares makes future option pools and investor allocations clumsy. Authorizing too many shares does not increase fees in Washington (unlike Delaware’s franchise tax).
Common mistake and consequence. Authorizing only the shares you plan to issue at formation forces an amendment (and a $30 fee) when you grant your first employee options.
Misconception. Founders confuse authorized shares with issued shares. Authorized is the ceiling; issued is what you have actually given out.
Box 10: Authorized Shares — Class and Series
This subsection lets you create multiple share classes (common, preferred, voting, non-voting) and define their rights.
How to answer it. If you want only one class, write Common and enter the total. If you want preferred, list each class on a separate line with the number of shares and a reference to a rights schedule.
Example entry. A startup planning a Series Seed writes 9,000,000 Common; 1,000,000 Preferred (rights set forth in Exhibit A) and attaches Exhibit A.
Nuance. Defining preferred rights inside the Articles is required if you want them effective from day one under RCW 23B.06.020. Otherwise the board must amend the Articles before issuing preferred.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing “preferred” without describing the rights makes the class non-functional and forces an amendment before any preferred round.
Misconception. Filers think they can fix share class rights in bylaws. They cannot — share rights belong in the Articles.
Box 11: Incorporator(s)
The incorporator signs the Articles and submits them to the state. At least one is required under RCW 23B.02.010.
How to answer it. Enter the full legal name and mailing address of each incorporator. The incorporator does not need to be a shareholder, director, or officer.
Example entry. Janet’s attorney signs as incorporator and writes Robert J. Chen, 1201 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
Nuance. Using your attorney as a “nominee incorporator” keeps founder names off the public record until the organizational meeting transfers control.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing an incorporator under 18 invalidates the filing under RCW 23B.02.010, and the corporation has no legal existence even after the certificate is issued.
Misconception. Founders think the incorporator must be a founder. The incorporator’s only job is to sign and file — they can resign at the organizational meeting.
Box 12: Initial Directors (Optional)
Listing the initial board on the Articles satisfies RCW 23B.02.050 and lets the directors hold the organizational meeting instead of the incorporator.
How to answer it. Enter each director’s full legal name and a mailing address. There is no minimum board size in Washington — one director is allowed.
Example entry. Co-founders enter Priya R. Shah, 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101 and Daniel T. Okafor, 720 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101.
Nuance. If you skip this box, the incorporator must hold the organizational meeting alone and appoint the first board, which adds a step.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing only directors who later refuse to serve creates a board vacancy that must be filled by written consent before any board action is valid.
Misconception. Filers think directors must be Washington residents. They do not — directors can live anywhere.
Box 13: Nonprofit-Specific Provisions (Nonprofit Form Only)
The nonprofit form requires statements that for-profit filers skip, including the corporation’s purpose and the IRS dissolution clause.
How to answer it. State the charitable, religious, or educational purpose in plain language and add the IRS-required dissolution clause so 501(c)(3) status is available.
Example entry. A new food bank writes To relieve hunger in King County by collecting and distributing food to people in need.
Nuance. Adding the dissolution clause (“upon dissolution, assets shall be distributed to one or more 501(c)(3) organizations…”) is what unlocks federal tax exemption.
Common mistake and consequence. Skipping the dissolution clause forces a costly amendment before the IRS will approve Form 1023.
Misconception. Founders think a generic “charitable purposes” line is enough. The IRS prefers a specific, narrow purpose.
Box 14: Signature of Incorporator
The signature makes the document binding under RCW 23B.01.200 and the Washington Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
How to answer it. Online, type your full legal name in the e-signature box and check the certification box. On paper, sign in blue ink and print your name and title below the signature line.
Example entry. Robert J. Chen, Incorporator, 06/22/2026.
Nuance. Washington accepts typed e-signatures as legally equivalent to wet signatures for this filing.
Common mistake and consequence. Signing without printing the name underneath causes an intake hold because examiners cannot verify the signer.
Misconception. Filers think they need a notary. Washington Articles do not require notarization.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three different Washington filers complete the Articles from start to finish. Use them as templates for your own filing.
Scenario 1: Aisha, a Solo Founder Forming a Single-Shareholder C-Corp
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | (left blank — none yet) |
| Corporate Name | Patel Consulting Group, Inc. |
| Effective Date | Date of Filing |
| Duration | Perpetual |
| Registered Agent Name | Aisha N. Patel |
| Registered Agent Address | 4501 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 |
| Registered Agent Consent | Aisha N. Patel, 06/15/2026 |
| Principal Office | 4501 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 |
| Authorized Shares | 10,000 common, no par value |
| Incorporator | Aisha N. Patel, 4501 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 |
| Initial Directors | Aisha N. Patel |
| Signature | Aisha N. Patel, Incorporator |
Scenario 2: Northwest Ledger Technologies, a Two-Founder Startup with Multiple Share Classes
| Form Section | What Northwest Ledger Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | (left blank) |
| Corporate Name | Northwest Ledger Technologies, Inc. |
| Effective Date | 07/01/2026 (delayed for clean tax year) |
| Duration | Perpetual |
| Registered Agent Name | Cogency Global Inc. |
| Registered Agent Address | 1325 4th Ave, Suite 1340, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Registered Agent Consent | Electronic signature on file |
| Principal Office | 720 Olive Way, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Authorized Shares | 9,000,000 Common; 1,000,000 Preferred (rights in Exhibit A) |
| Incorporator | Robert J. Chen, 1201 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Initial Directors | Priya R. Shah; Daniel T. Okafor |
| Signature | Robert J. Chen, Incorporator |
Scenario 3: The Lopez Family Bakery Converting from an LLC to a C-Corp
| Form Section | What Maria Lopez Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 602-145-789 (kept from LLC) |
| Corporate Name | Lopez Family Bakery, Inc. |
| Effective Date | Date of Filing |
| Duration | Perpetual |
| Registered Agent Name | Maria E. Lopez |
| Registered Agent Address | 1822 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406 |
| Registered Agent Consent | Maria E. Lopez, 06/15/2026 |
| Principal Office | 1822 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406 |
| Authorized Shares | 1,000 common, no par value |
| Incorporator | Maria E. Lopez, 1822 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406 |
| Initial Directors | Maria E. Lopez; Hector Lopez; Sofia Lopez |
| Signature | Maria E. Lopez, Incorporator |
How to File the Completed Form
Washington offers four channels for filing the Articles, and the channel you pick controls the fee, the speed, and how you receive your stamped certificate. Pick the fastest channel your timing and budget allow because expedited filings are processed first regardless of order received.
Online via CCFS. Log in at the Corporations and Charities Filing System, select “Create or Register a Business,” and follow the screens. The fee is $180 for for-profit and $50 for nonprofit, both expedited by default. Payment methods are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and e-check. Standard processing is 2 business days, and the stamped certificate is emailed as a PDF.
By mail. Print the PDF, complete in black ink or typed entries, sign in blue ink, and mail with a check or money order payable to “Secretary of State” to Corporations Division, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234. Standard mail fee is $180 for for-profit. Processing takes 5 to 7 weeks unless you add a $50 expedite fee. Keep your USPS tracking number as proof of filing.
In person. Drop off the printed form at 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA 98504 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. The fee is $180 plus a $50 expedite fee if you want same-day turnaround. Pay by check, money order, or credit card. Walk out with a date-stamped receipt that serves as immediate proof of filing.
By fax. Fax filings are available for some filings to (360) 725-0377 with a credit card payment slip, but new entity formation must use one of the channels above. Always verify the current process on the forms and fee schedule page.
What Happens After You File
Once the Secretary of State accepts your filing, the corporation legally exists from the effective date and you receive a stamped Certificate of Incorporation by email (online) or mail (paper). Save the PDF — your bank, IRS, and investors will all ask for it. The state also assigns your 9-digit UBI number if you did not already have one.
Within 120 days of formation you must file an Initial Report listing officers, directors, and the principal office under RCW 23B.16.220. The fee is $10 for for-profit corporations. Missing the deadline triggers an “inactive” status and eventually administrative dissolution.
After the Initial Report comes the Annual Report, due each year by the end of your formation anniversary month, with a $70 fee for for-profit and $20 for nonprofit. You also need to apply for a Washington Business License through the Department of Revenue, get an IRS EIN, open a corporate bank account, hold the organizational meeting, adopt bylaws, issue stock, and (if applicable) file an S-Corp election on Form 2553 within 75 days.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Errors on the Articles can cost weeks of delay and force a refile, and the filing fee is non-refundable. Below are the ten most common mistakes and the consequence each carries.
- Using a corporate name without a required suffix — causes outright rejection at intake.
- Skipping the registered agent consent — voids the agent appointment and the entire filing.
- Listing a P.O. Box as the registered agent address — violates RCW 23B.05.010 and causes rejection.
- Naming a registered agent who has not been told — exposes the corporation to missed lawsuits and default judgments.
- Authorizing too few shares — forces an amendment ($30 fee plus delay) before your first option grant.
- Listing a “preferred” class without defining its rights — makes the class unusable until amended.
- Mixing up authorized vs. issued shares — leads to over-issuance liability under RCW 23B.06.030.
- Picking an effective date more than 90 days out — causes automatic rejection.
- Using outdated form revisions — references repealed statutes and gets returned.
- Forgetting the IRS dissolution clause on a nonprofit — kills the 501(c)(3) application until amended.
- Listing a minor as incorporator — invalidates the entire filing under RCW 23B.02.010.
- Mismatched principal office vs. DOR record — creates cross-agency holds on B&O tax setup.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of habits separates a clean first-pass approval from a frustrating cycle of rejections. The points below are drawn from the patterns examiners flag most often.
- Do download the form fresh from the Secretary of State every time, because revisions change quietly.
- Do run a Business Search for your name before filing, to avoid forfeiting your fee on a rejection.
- Do secure registered agent consent in writing before filing, because the statute requires it.
- Do authorize 10,000,000 shares for any startup that may raise outside capital, since extra shares are free in Washington.
- Do list initial directors when you know who they are, because it skips the incorporator-only organizational meeting.
- Do keep a PDF copy of the stamped certificate on file forever, because banks, investors, and the IRS will ask for it.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as the registered office, because it triggers automatic rejection.
- Don’t include trademarks, ® symbols, or emojis in the corporate name, since the system cannot store them.
- Don’t name yourself agent if you travel often, because missed service of process leads to default judgments.
- Don’t sign without printing your name and title underneath, because examiners flag unverifiable signatures.
- Don’t mail without tracking, because lost paper filings are a real and recurring problem.
- Don’t delay the Initial Report past 120 days, because administrative dissolution erases your liability shield.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Solo filing is cheap and fast for simple structures, but a lawyer or formation service makes sense for anything with multiple share classes, investors, or unusual circumstances. The points below help you decide.
Pros of filing pro se:
- Saves $300 to $1,500 in legal fees that you can redirect to product or marketing.
- Forces you to learn the corporate plumbing, which makes you a sharper operator.
- Same-day expedited online filing is genuinely fast, often under 4 hours.
- The Secretary of State’s CCFS portal is well-designed and walks you through each field.
- For a single-shareholder corporation with one share class, the form is genuinely simple.
Cons of filing pro se:
- A single mistake on share classes can cost a Series Seed round delays of weeks.
- Founders often forget the dissolution clause on nonprofits, which kills the 501(c)(3) timeline.
- You bear the full risk of a non-refundable filing fee on rejection.
- You may miss the 120-day Initial Report deadline because no one is reminding you.
- DIY filers often skip the organizational meeting and bylaws, leaving the corporation legally hollow.
- Tax elections (S-corp, fiscal year choices) are hard to undo and easy to miss without an advisor.
FAQs
What is a Washington Articles of Incorporation?
Yes — it is the founding charter document filed with the Washington Secretary of State under RCW 23B.02.020 that legally creates a corporation in the State of Washington.
How much does it cost to file Washington Articles of Incorporation?
Yes — it costs $180 online or by mail for for-profit corporations and $50 for nonprofits, with optional $50 expedite for paper filings; online filings are expedited by default.
How long does processing take?
Yes — online filings clear in about 2 business days standard or same day expedited, while mail filings take 5 to 7 weeks unless you pay the $50 expedite fee.
Can I be my own registered agent in Washington?
Yes — any Washington resident 18 or older with a Washington street address who can accept service during business hours can serve under RCW 23B.05.010.
Do I need a UBI before I file (Box 1)?
No — leave Box 1 blank if you do not already have a UBI; the Secretary of State assigns one automatically when your filing is approved.
What suffix do I need in my corporate name (Box 2)?
Yes — your name must end in Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, or an abbreviation like Inc., Corp., Co., or Ltd. under RCW 23B.04.010.
Should I write a specific number of shares or “no par value” in Box 9?
Yes — enter a specific whole number such as 10,000,000; “no par value” goes in the rights description, not the share count field, or the system rejects the entry.
Do I list directors in Box 12 if I don’t know who they are yet?
No — leave Box 12 blank and have the incorporator appoint directors at the organizational meeting; listing unconfirmed names creates board vacancies later.
Is a notary required for Washington Articles?
No — Washington does not require notarization for Articles of Incorporation under RCW 23B.01.200; a typed e-signature or wet signature alone is enough.
Can I file Articles of Incorporation if I live outside Washington?
Yes — incorporators and directors can live anywhere, but the registered agent must have a Washington street address under RCW 23B.05.010.
What happens if I miss the 120-day Initial Report deadline?
No — your corporation will not stay in good standing; the state moves it to delinquent status and eventually administratively dissolves it under RCW 23B.16.220.
Can I change my registered agent after filing?
Yes — file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent for $10 with the new agent’s signed consent at any time.
Do nonprofit Articles need an IRS dissolution clause?
Yes — without the 501(c)(3) dissolution clause, the IRS will deny tax exemption on Form 1023 until you amend.
Is the filing fee refundable if my Articles are rejected?
No — Washington keeps the filing fee even on rejected filings, so a name conflict or missing consent costs you the full $180.
Do I file Articles of Incorporation for an LLC?
No — LLCs file a Certificate of Formation under Chapter 25.15 RCW instead; Articles of Incorporation are only for corporations.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Massachusetts Form Articles of Organization (Corporation) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Corporation Annual Report + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington LLC Certificate of Formation + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form COR-1 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arizona ACC Articles of Incorporation (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Maryland SDAT Articles of Incorporation (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs