The Washington Corporation Annual Report is the yearly filing that every active Washington for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, LLC, LP, and LLP must submit to the Washington Secretary of State Corporations Division to confirm its registered agent, principal office, and governing people. The report keeps your entity in “Active” status under RCW 23.95.255, and a missed filing triggers automatic administrative dissolution within 60 days of the deadline.
Roughly 650,000 entities are registered with the Washington Secretary of State, and the office reports that nearly 1 in 12 entities is administratively dissolved each year for failure to file the annual report on time. Filing online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System takes most filers under 15 minutes when their information is ready.
- 📌 The exact line-by-line walkthrough of every field on the Washington Annual Report
- 💵 Current fees, late penalties, and the cost difference between profit, nonprofit, and LLC filings
- 🧾 Three real-world filer scenarios showing exactly what to type in each box
- ⚠️ The 10 most common errors that trigger rejection, dissolution, or registered-agent loss
- 🛟 How to reinstate a dissolved corporation and avoid losing your business name
What the Washington Annual Report Is and Who Must File It
The Washington Annual Report is a short, standardized informational filing required by RCW 23B.16.220 for business corporations and parallel statutes for other entity types. It is not a tax return, and it does not report income; instead, it confirms the public-record information the state uses to serve legal process and to verify that your entity still exists. The form is administered by the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State under the umbrella Uniform Business Organizations Code at RCW 23.95.
Every domestic and foreign for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, LLC, LP, LLLP, and LLP registered to do business in Washington must file. New entities must file an Initial Report within 120 days of formation under RCW 23.95.255, and after that the report is due each year by the end of the entity’s anniversary month. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships that have not registered with the SOS do not file this report, but they may still need a state business license through the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service.
The annual report serves four jobs at once. It updates the registered agent so courts and creditors can serve papers, it confirms the principal office address for public notice, it lists the current governors (officers, directors, members, or managers) for accountability, and it pays the annual maintenance fee that funds the Corporations Division. Skipping any one of these jobs in the form puts your good standing at risk.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before logging in to CCFS, because the portal times out after about 20 minutes of inactivity and unsaved entries are lost. Filers who prepare these items in advance complete the report in roughly 10–15 minutes; those who do not often spend over an hour hunting for numbers and re-starting the session.
- UBI number (9 digits). Your Unified Business Identifier issued by the state. Without it, you cannot pull up the entity record in CCFS.
- CCFS login credentials. A free SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account linked to your filer profile. Missing or forgotten credentials force a password reset that delays filing.
- Entity legal name exactly as registered. Even a missing “Inc.” or comma can cause a mismatch warning when verifying the record.
- Principal office street address. Must be a physical street address, not a P.O. Box, per RCW 23.95.410.
- Mailing address. A P.O. Box is allowed here only.
- Registered agent name and Washington street address. The agent must have consented; an unconsented agent voids the appointment.
- Names and addresses of all governors. Directors and officers for corporations, members or managers for LLCs.
- NAICS code (6 digits). Look up the right code at census.gov NAICS.
- Brief description of the nature of business. One sentence is enough.
- Email address for the entity record. This is where the SOS sends the courtesy renewal reminder each year.
- Payment method. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or e-check for online filing; check or money order for paper.
If you are missing the UBI, retrieve it through the CCFS Advanced Business Search. If you cannot locate your registered agent’s consent on file, contact them in writing before submitting; filing without verified consent can lead to the agent resigning and your entity drifting into “delinquent” status.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
There is no PDF you download and email. The Washington Annual Report is generated dynamically inside the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) once you log in and select your entity. For filers who must use paper, the SOS provides a downloadable PDF on request through the Corporations forms page, but paper is allowed only when an online filing is not feasible (for example, certain reinstatement cases or out-of-system entities).
To start, go to ccfs.sos.wa.gov, click Log In, sign in through SecureAccess Washington, and choose File an Annual Report from your dashboard. Enter the UBI number when prompted, confirm the legal name that pops up, and the system will pre-fill the most recent record so you can edit only what changed. The current online form revision is dated 2024, and that revision date appears in the footer of every CCFS-generated PDF copy of the filing receipt.
If you prefer to file by mail, write or call the Corporations Division at 801 Capitol Way South, PO Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234, or call (360) 725-0377, to request a paper Annual Report packet for your specific entity. Paper filings take longer to process — typically 5–7 business days versus same-day for online — and they cost an extra paper handling fee in some categories.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Washington Annual Report Line by Line
Each H3 below maps to one field, box, or section of the CCFS Annual Report screens, in the order you will see them. Field names are quoted from the live form so you can match them on your screen.
Field 1: “UBI Number”
This field asks for the 9-digit Unified Business Identifier the state assigned when your entity first registered. To answer, type the digits with no spaces, dashes, or letters; the box rejects anything that is not exactly nine numerals. Carlos Reyes, owner of Cascade Roofing Inc., enters 602 345 678 as 602345678.
If you have multiple UBIs from related entities, use only the one printed at the top of last year’s filing receipt. The most common mistake is entering the federal EIN in this box, which causes an “Entity Not Found” error and locks the screen until you log out. A frequent misconception is that the UBI changes each year — it does not; the UBI stays with the entity for life unless the SOS reassigns it after a merger.
Field 2: “Entity Legal Name”
This field shows the exact registered name of the corporation and asks you to confirm it. Read every character, including punctuation, the corporate suffix (“Inc.”, “Corporation”, “Co.”), and any commas. Aisha Bennett confirms the name Bennett Wellness Corporation exactly as it shows.
If your name needs to change, do not edit it here; the Annual Report cannot amend a name. You must file Articles of Amendment separately first. The biggest mistake is treating this field as an edit box and typing a “doing business as” name; that triggers a manual review and freezes the filing. A common misconception is that capitalization matters — the SOS treats the name as case-insensitive in records but always displays it in the registered case.
Field 3: “Entity Type”
This pre-filled field identifies you as a WA Profit Corporation, WA Nonprofit Corporation, WA LLC, Foreign Corporation, etc. Verify it matches the entity you intend to renew. Marcus Chen sees WA Profit Corporation and clicks Confirm.
You cannot change entity type on the Annual Report. If the type is wrong, stop and contact the Corporations Division before paying. The mistake here is assuming a “Foreign” label means “international” — in Washington, “Foreign” simply means formed in another U.S. state. The misconception that nonprofits skip the report is wrong; nonprofits file annually too, just at a lower fee.
Field 4: “Principal Office Street Address”
This field asks for the physical street address where the entity’s main office sits. Enter street number, street name, suite if any, city, state, and ZIP in standard format with no abbreviations like “St.” replaced by symbols. Janet Park enters 1420 4th Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101.
A P.O. Box is not valid here under RCW 23.95.410; the law requires a deliverable street address. The common mistake is entering a UPS Store mailbox formatted as a suite number — the SOS cross-checks against USPS data and may flag it. The misconception is that a home address must be public; it must be on file, but Washington allows a separate mailing address for public-facing correspondence.
Field 5: “Principal Office Mailing Address”
This field asks where the entity wants its mail delivered. A P.O. Box is allowed here, and you may copy the street address by clicking Same as Principal Office. Carlos Reyes enters PO Box 4421, Tacoma, WA 98401.
If you receive mail at a private mailbox service, include the suite number after the street address. The mistake filers make is leaving this field blank assuming “same as physical” — leaving it blank causes the courtesy renewal reminder to bounce next year. A misconception is that the SOS will forward state notices to the registered agent if mail bounces; it will not, and you will simply miss the reminder.
Field 6: “Registered Agent Name”
This field asks who accepts legal service of process for the entity. Enter either an individual’s full legal name or a commercial registered agent’s exact registered name. Bennett Wellness Corporation enters Northwest Registered Agent LLC.
If you change agents on this report, you must check the box confirming the new agent has consented under RCW 23.95.410. The mistake is naming a friend without telling them; an unconsented agent can resign immediately, leaving you without one. The misconception is that the agent and the owner must differ — they do not, as long as the owner is a Washington resident with a street address.
Field 7: “Registered Agent Street Address (Washington)”
This field asks for the agent’s physical Washington street address, called the “registered office.” It must be in Washington and must not be a P.O. Box. Aisha enters 711 Capitol Way S, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501.
If your agent moves, file a Statement of Change before the Annual Report, or update both at once inside CCFS. The mistake is using an out-of-state agent address — the filing will be rejected at submission. The misconception is that a virtual office counts; it counts only if the agent is physically present during business hours to accept service.
Field 8: “Governors” (Officers/Directors or Members/Managers)
This section asks for every person who governs the entity. For a profit corporation, list every director and the president, secretary, and treasurer at minimum. Marcus enters himself as Marcus Chen, President and Director, 8800 NE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA 98664.
You may add additional governors with the Add Governor button. The mistake is listing only the president and skipping the secretary; Washington corporate law expects the secretary to be identified for service of certain documents. A misconception is that addresses for governors must be home addresses — a business address is acceptable as long as the person can be reached there.
Field 9: “Nature of Business”
This field asks for a one- or two-sentence description of what the entity actually does. Keep it concrete and avoid jargon. Janet enters Family law mediation and divorce coaching services for Washington residents.
If your business has changed substantially since last year, update the description so the SOS record reflects current operations. The mistake is copying a marketing tagline that does not describe an activity (“Empowering Lives Daily”), which can prompt a manual review. The misconception is that this field replaces a license or permit listing; it does not, and you may still need separate licenses through the Department of Revenue.
Field 10: “NAICS Code”
This field asks for the 6-digit North American Industry Classification System code that best fits your primary activity. Use the Census NAICS lookup to confirm. Cascade Roofing Inc. enters 238160 for Roofing Contractors.
Pick the primary code; secondary activities are not listed here. The mistake is guessing or reusing a code from a tax form that uses a different system. The misconception is that the NAICS code dictates your tax rate — Washington’s B&O tax rate is set by the Department of Revenue’s classification, not by the SOS NAICS field, so the two can differ.
Field 11: “Email Address”
This field asks where the SOS should send the courtesy annual report reminder and other notices. Use a working address checked at least monthly. Aisha enters aisha@bennettwellness.com.
If your email changes, update it the moment you notice; the SOS does not send paper reminders by default. The mistake is using a personal email of an employee who later leaves; you then miss the reminder and risk dissolution. The misconception is that the SOS will fall back to certified mail if email bounces — it will not.
Field 12: “Return Address for This Filing”
This field asks where the filing receipt should be mailed if you choose paper delivery. Most online filers ignore this and download the PDF receipt instead. Carlos checks Email PDF receipt only and skips the address.
If you choose mailed delivery, the receipt arrives in 7–10 business days. The mistake is entering an old address and missing the receipt, which is your only proof of filing if you later need to show good standing. The misconception is that the receipt is automatic by mail; it is not — you must request it.
Field 13: “Signature / Authorized Person”
This field asks for the name and title of the person submitting the report and a checkbox confirming the information is true under penalty of perjury under RCW 9A.72.085. Type the full legal name; no wet signature is required online. Marcus types Marcus Chen, President and checks the attestation box.
The signer must be authorized by the entity, typically a governor, officer, or attorney-in-fact. The mistake is having an outside bookkeeper sign without authority, which can void the filing. The misconception is that an electronic signature is “less binding” — it carries the same legal weight as a handwritten one under RCW 1.80.
Field 14: “Payment”
This final screen asks for the filing fee. For a WA profit corporation, the fee is $70 (renewal). For a WA nonprofit, the fee is $10. For a WA LLC, the fee is $70. Cascade Roofing Inc. pays $70 by Visa.
Expedited service adds $50 and processes within 2 business days. The mistake is closing the browser before the receipt screen loads; the payment may post but the filing may not, leaving you in limbo. The misconception is that the fee is prorated for short years — it is not; the full fee applies regardless of when in the anniversary month you file.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Carlos Reyes — Cascade Roofing Inc., No Changes Since Last Year
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 602345678 |
| Entity Legal Name | Cascade Roofing Inc. |
| Entity Type | WA Profit Corporation |
| Principal Office Street | 3320 South Pine Street, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 4421, Tacoma, WA 98401 |
| Registered Agent | Carlos Reyes (self), 3320 South Pine Street, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Governors | Carlos Reyes, President/Director; Maria Reyes, Secretary |
| NAICS Code | 238160 |
| Nature of Business | Residential and commercial roofing installation and repair. |
| Signature & Payment | Carlos Reyes, President; $70 Visa |
Scenario 2: Aisha Bennett — Bennett Wellness Corporation, Changed Registered Agent and Principal Address
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 603887412 |
| Entity Legal Name | Bennett Wellness Corporation |
| Entity Type | WA Profit Corporation |
| Principal Office Street (NEW) | 1420 4th Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Mailing Address | Same as Principal Office |
| Registered Agent (NEW) | Northwest Registered Agent LLC |
| Registered Agent Address | 711 Capitol Way S, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501 |
| Consent Confirmation | Checked — agent has consented |
| Governors | Aisha Bennett, President/Director; David Bennett, Treasurer |
| Signature & Payment | Aisha Bennett, President; $70 e-check |
Scenario 3: Marcus Chen — Evergreen Logistics Corp., Adding and Removing Officers
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 604221908 |
| Entity Legal Name | Evergreen Logistics Corp. |
| Principal Office Street | 8800 NE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA 98664 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 873, Vancouver, WA 98666 |
| Registered Agent | Marcus Chen, 8800 NE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA 98664 |
| Governors REMOVED | Lisa Tran, former Secretary |
| Governors ADDED | Priya Singh, Secretary, 8800 NE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA 98664 |
| Governors RETAINED | Marcus Chen, President/Director; Eric Chen, Treasurer |
| Nature of Business | Regional freight brokerage and last-mile delivery. |
| Signature & Payment | Marcus Chen, President; $70 + $50 expedited = $120 Visa |
How to File the Completed Washington Annual Report
You can file through three channels, each with its own fees, processing times, and proof of filing.
Online through CCFS is the standard channel. Go to ccfs.sos.wa.gov, log in via SAW, and submit. Fees: $70 for profit corporations and LLCs, $10 for nonprofits, plus an optional $50 expedited add-on. Payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or e-check. Processing time: same day for standard, 2 business days for expedited. Save the PDF filing receipt that the system emails — that is your proof of filing.
By mail to Corporations Division, PO Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234. Fees match the online amounts but add a small paper handling charge in some categories; pay by check or money order made out to “Secretary of State.” Processing time: 5–7 business days plus mail transit. Keep a copy of the completed form and the certified-mail green card as proof of filing.
In person at 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA 98504, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card at the counter. Processing time: typically same day if you arrive before 3:00 p.m. The counter receipt stamped with the date is your proof of filing — store it with your corporate records book.
What Happens After You File the Annual Report
Once the SOS accepts your report, the entity status on the public Corporations Search page updates to Active with a new “Annual Report Due” date set for the end of the same anniversary month next year. The filing receipt PDF is generated immediately for online filings and emailed to the address on the report; for paper, the receipt is mailed within 5–7 business days.
If the SOS finds an issue — for example, an inconsistent registered agent address or a prohibited P.O. Box in the principal office field — the filing is placed in Pending Correction, and you receive an email asking for the fix. You typically have 30 days to correct without re-paying. Ignoring the correction notice causes the filing to lapse and the entity to slide toward administrative dissolution under RCW 23.95.610.
If the report is not filed by the end of the anniversary month, a $25 late fee is added, and after roughly 60 days of delinquency the SOS issues a Certificate of Administrative Dissolution. Reinstatement is possible within 5 years by filing an Application for Reinstatement, paying all back fees plus a reinstatement fee, and clearing any tax holds with the Department of Revenue.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Entering the EIN in the UBI field. The system rejects the entry and may lock you out for 15 minutes after repeated failures.
- Using a P.O. Box as the principal office address. Causes immediate rejection under RCW 23.95.410.
- Naming a registered agent without consent. The agent can resign on the spot, leaving the entity without service of process.
- Skipping the secretary or treasurer in the governors list. Triggers manual review and delays processing by 3–5 days.
- Editing the legal name in the name field. The Annual Report cannot amend a name; you must file Articles of Amendment first or the filing is voided.
- Choosing the wrong NAICS code. Misclassifies the entity in state economic data and can cause cross-reference errors with DOR records.
- Closing the browser before the receipt loads. Payment may post without the filing recording, requiring a refund request and re-file.
- Using a stale email address. Causes you to miss next year’s reminder and slide into late status.
- Filing one day late. Adds the $25 late fee and starts the 60-day dissolution clock.
- Forgetting to download the PDF receipt. You lose the only proof of timely filing if a dispute arises later.
- Listing an out-of-state registered agent address. Rejected at submission; agent must have a Washington street address.
- Assuming the fee is prorated. It is not; the full fee applies even if you file on the last day of the anniversary month.
Do’s and Don’ts for the Washington Annual Report
Do: – Do file online through CCFS for same-day processing and an instant PDF receipt. – Do confirm registered agent consent in writing before naming the agent, because an unconsented appointment is void. – Do download the filing receipt and store it in your corporate records book, since it is your only proof of good standing. – Do set a calendar reminder for the 15th of your anniversary month so a busy week does not push you past the deadline. – Do update the email address whenever staff change, because the SOS courtesy reminder goes only to that address. – Do verify the principal office address is a deliverable street address, because P.O. Boxes void the filing.
Don’t: – Don’t wait until the last day of the anniversary month, since CCFS outages do happen and trigger late fees. – Don’t put a “doing business as” name in the legal name field, because the name field cannot be edited from the Annual Report. – Don’t sign as an unauthorized person, because false attestations risk perjury exposure under RCW 9A.72.085. – Don’t skip the nature-of-business field, because blanks trigger manual review and delay processing. – Don’t assume mailing the report counts as filed on the day it was mailed; Washington uses receipt date, not postmark date. – Don’t ignore Pending Correction emails, because unresolved holds become dissolutions within 60 days.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing yourself: – Saves the $50–$200 service fee a registered-agent or filing service charges. – Lets you confirm with your own eyes that addresses and governors are correct. – Builds direct familiarity with CCFS, which you will use for amendments and reinstatements. – Same-day processing with no middle-party delay. – No risk of a third party miscommunicating a change you wanted to make.
Cons of filing yourself: – Easy to miss the anniversary-month deadline without an external tickler system. – You bear the full risk of typos in the registered agent or governor fields. – No automatic compliance calendar covering related filings (Business License Renewal, B&O tax). – Reinstatement after a missed filing is more complex than a routine renewal. – No professional review to catch a wrong NAICS code or a P.O. Box error.
Annual Report Fees by Entity Type
| Entity Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| WA Profit Corporation | $70 |
| WA Nonprofit Corporation | $10 |
| WA Limited Liability Company | $70 |
| WA Limited Partnership / LLLP | $70 |
| Foreign Profit Corporation | $70 |
| Foreign LLC | $70 |
| Late Fee (any entity) | $25 |
| Expedited Service (optional) | $50 |
Online vs. Paper Filing at a Glance
| Filing Channel | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Online via CCFS | Same-day processing, instant PDF receipt, all major cards or e-check accepted |
| Mail to Olympia | 5–7 business days plus mail transit, check or money order, certified mail recommended |
| In Person at 801 Capitol Way S | Same-day if before 3:00 p.m., counter receipt is proof of filing |
Key Agencies and Forms That Interact With the Annual Report
The Washington Secretary of State Corporations Division receives the report and maintains the public business record. The Department of Revenue issues your underlying business license and B&O tax account, and a DOR tax hold can block reinstatement after dissolution. The Department of Labor & Industries and Employment Security Department handle workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, both of which rely on the SOS record to confirm your entity is active.
Related SOS forms include the Statement of Change of Registered Agent, the Articles of Amendment for changing the entity’s legal name or share structure, and the Application for Reinstatement for entities that missed the deadline. Each runs on the same CCFS portal and uses the same UBI to tie the records together.
FAQs
Is the Washington Annual Report the same as a tax return?
No. It is an informational filing with the Secretary of State that updates your registered agent, addresses, and governors. Tax returns go to the Department of Revenue separately.
Do nonprofits have to file the Washington Annual Report?
Yes. Washington nonprofit corporations file annually with a reduced fee of $10 and the same anniversary-month deadline as for-profit entities.
Do I write my home address or business address in the principal office field?
Yes, write the actual physical location where the entity operates, even if that is your home, because Washington requires a deliverable street address and not a P.O. Box.
Can my registered agent and I be the same person?
Yes. A Washington resident with an in-state street address may serve as the entity’s own registered agent under RCW 23.95.410.
Do I list my EIN anywhere on the Annual Report?
No. The Annual Report uses only the 9-digit UBI assigned by Washington; the federal EIN is not entered on this form.
What happens if I miss the anniversary-month deadline?
Yes, consequences kick in fast: a $25 late fee posts immediately, and after about 60 days the SOS administratively dissolves the entity under RCW 23.95.610.
Can I change the entity’s legal name on the Annual Report?
No. Name changes require Articles of Amendment filed separately before or alongside the Annual Report.
Do I have to list every shareholder on the Annual Report?
No. Only governors — directors and officers for corporations, members or managers for LLCs — are listed; shareholders are not.
Is the $70 fee prorated if I file in the last week of my anniversary month?
No. The full fee applies regardless of which day of the anniversary month you file.
Can I pay the Annual Report fee with a personal credit card?
Yes. CCFS accepts personal or business Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as e-check.
Do I need to attach my bylaws or operating agreement?
No. No internal governance documents are attached; only the on-screen fields are submitted.
What if my registered agent resigns the same week the report is due?
Yes, you can fix it inside the same filing by entering a new consenting agent and the new Washington street address before submitting.
Can I file for a future anniversary month early?
Yes. CCFS lets you file up to 180 days before the anniversary-month due date, which is useful if you will be unavailable when the deadline hits.
Do I need a Washington business license in addition to filing the Annual Report?
Yes, most entities also need an active state business license through the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service; the SOS Annual Report does not replace it.
How do I reinstate after administrative dissolution?
Yes, within 5 years you can file an Application for Reinstatement through CCFS, pay all back annual report fees plus the reinstatement fee, and clear any DOR tax holds.
Related reading
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- How to Fill Out Washington LLC Annual Report + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington LLC Certificate of Formation + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington LLC Statement of Dissolution + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the North Carolina Annual Report (Annual Membership Fee Statement) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Arizona ACC Annual Report (w/ Examples) + FAQs
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