The Washington LLC Annual Report is the yearly business renewal filing that every limited liability company registered in Washington State must submit to the Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Division to keep its legal existence active, confirm its registered agent, and update its governing-person information under RCW 25.15.106. If you skip it, the state begins an administrative dissolution clock that can wipe out your LLC’s liability shield, freeze its bank accounts, and force you to pay reinstatement fees on top of late penalties.
Roughly 1 in 8 Washington LLCs miss their annual deadline each year, according to public dissolution data published by the Washington Secretary of State. That single missed deadline is the most common reason small Washington businesses lose their good-standing status, and it is also the easiest mistake to prevent once you know what each field on the report actually wants.
Here is what this guide will walk you through:
- 📋 What the Washington LLC Annual Report is, who must file it, and how it ties to your UBI number
- 🗂️ Every document, ID, and piece of information you must gather before you open the CCFS filing portal
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, box, and signature block on the report
- 🧑💼 Three full filer scenarios showing exactly what a single-member, multi-member, and foreign LLC enter
- ⚖️ The exact deadlines, fees, late penalties, dissolution timelines, and FAQs that trip up Washington filers
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Washington LLC Annual Report is a short renewal filing that confirms your LLC still exists, still has a valid registered agent, and still operates from the address on file with the state. It is filed through the Corporations and Charities Filing System, commonly called CCFS, and it is governed by RCW 25.15.106. The report is separate from your Washington Department of Revenue Business License renewal, even though both filings reference your Unified Business Identifier number.
Every domestic LLC formed in Washington must file the report each year. Every foreign LLC registered to do business in Washington must also file, even if the company is based in Delaware, Nevada, or any other state. There is no income threshold and no member-count threshold. If your LLC exists on the Secretary of State’s records, you owe the report.
The first report a brand-new LLC files is called the Initial Report, and it is due within 120 days of formation under RCW 25.15.111. Every report after that is the Annual Report, due by the last day of the LLC’s anniversary month. A company formed on March 14, 2025 owes its first Annual Report by March 31, 2026, and every March 31 after that.
Filing keeps your LLC in active status. Skipping it triggers a 60-day delinquency period, then administrative dissolution, then loss of the LLC name protection. Reinstatement is possible but costs more than simply filing on time, and it requires a separate reinstatement application through the Washington Secretary of State reinstatement portal.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open a single folder on your desktop and pull these items together before you log into CCFS. Filing without them forces you to stop mid-form, and CCFS sessions time out after roughly 20 minutes of inactivity. If you time out, your entries are lost, and you must restart.
- UBI number. Your nine-digit Unified Business Identifier is the master key that ties your LLC to the Secretary of State, the Department of Revenue, and Labor and Industries. Without it, CCFS cannot pull your record. Find it on your formation certificate or through the Department of Revenue Business Lookup.
- Current registered agent name and Washington street address. The agent must consent to serve, and the address cannot be a P.O. Box. If the agent has resigned, you must appoint a new one in the same filing.
- Principal office street address. This is the LLC’s main business location, not a mailing service. A wrong principal office address can void service of process.
- Mailing address. This can be a P.O. Box and can differ from the principal office. It is where the state sends paper notices if email fails.
- Names and addresses of all governors. Governors is Washington’s umbrella term for the people running the LLC, which means members in a member-managed LLC and managers in a manager-managed LLC. At least one governor must be listed.
- NAICS code. The six-digit North American Industry Classification System code describes your primary business activity. Misclassifying it can affect tax notices.
- Email address for confirmations. CCFS sends the filing receipt and next year’s reminder to this address only. A typo here means no reminder next year.
- Payment method. The standard filing fee is $70, paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or ACH electronic check.
- Executor or signer’s name and title. The person submitting the report must sign under penalty of perjury.
If you are filing late, also gather the $25 late fee and any reinstatement paperwork from the Secretary of State reinstatement page.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The Washington LLC Annual Report is filed almost entirely online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System. There is no downloadable PDF that the state prefers to accept. The online system is the official version, and its current revision is dated January 2026 on the CCFS footer.
To access the form, go to the CCFS login page, create a free user account if you do not have one, and link your LLC to the account using its UBI number and confirmation code from your formation receipt. If you have lost the confirmation code, you can request it by calling the Corporations Division at 360-725-0377.
Paper filing is allowed only as an exception filing, and only when CCFS cannot process the report for technical reasons. To request paper filing, email corps@sos.wa.gov and include your UBI number, LLC name, and the reason CCFS cannot accept your filing. If approved, the state will email you a PDF cover sheet and instructions to mail the report with a check to Corporations Division, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234.
In-person filing is accepted at the Olympia office at 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA 98501, but only for expedited handling. The walk-in counter does not let you bypass the online form; it only speeds up review once the form is submitted. Fax filing is no longer accepted for LLC Annual Reports as of 2023.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Washington LLC Annual Report Line by Line
The report is organized into seven CCFS screens, each shown as its own subsection below. Every field uses the exact label printed in CCFS. Sample entries are italicized so you can see what the actual entry on the screen looks like.
Screen 1, Field 1: UBI Number
This field asks for your LLC’s nine-digit Unified Business Identifier number. CCFS uses it to pull your existing record so you do not retype your formation data.
Enter the nine digits with no spaces, no dashes, and no leading letters. The box accepts only numerals. Maria Lopez, who owns Cedar Creek Bakery LLC, enters 602123456 in the UBI field.
If you cannot find your UBI, look it up through the Department of Revenue Business Lookup using your LLC’s exact legal name. The lookup returns the UBI within seconds.
The most common mistake is typing the Department of Revenue tax registration number instead of the UBI. Those numbers look similar but are not the same. Entering the tax number returns a no record found error and locks you out of the report.
A frequent misconception is that the UBI changes when ownership changes. It does not. The UBI follows the LLC for its entire legal life, even after a sale, merger, or name change.
Screen 1, Field 2: Entity Name
This field shows the LLC’s exact legal name as recorded with the state. You do not type it; CCFS displays it after the UBI lookup.
Confirm that the name matches your Certificate of Formation, including the punctuation, the spacing, and the LLC or L.L.C. suffix. If the name is wrong, stop and file an Amendment to the Certificate of Formation before continuing.
James Carter sees Carter Property Holdings, LLC and verifies that the comma before LLC matches his formation certificate. If even the comma is missing, the state treats the names as different entities for service of process.
The common mistake is ignoring a name mismatch and continuing the filing. The consequence is that the report is accepted, but bank and court records may not reconcile, leading to piercing the veil exposure.
A misconception is that you can change the LLC name inside the Annual Report. You cannot. Name changes require a separate amendment filing and a $30 fee.
Screen 2, Field 3: Principal Office Street Address
This field asks for the physical street address where the LLC’s main operations occur. P.O. Boxes are rejected.
Enter the full street number, street name, suite or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code. Aisha Bennett enters 1420 NE 50th St, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98105 for Bennett Yoga Studio LLC.
If your LLC operates from your home, enter your home address. If you operate from multiple locations, enter the address where the books and records are kept.
The most common mistake is entering a virtual office or mail-forwarding address as the principal office. The consequence is that service of process delivered to the listed address may be deemed invalid, opening you up to default judgments. A frequent misconception is that the principal office must be in Washington. It does not. A foreign LLC’s principal office can be in any state.
Screen 2, Field 4: Principal Office Mailing Address
This field asks where the LLC wants postal mail delivered. A P.O. Box is allowed here.
If the mailing address is the same as the principal office, check the same as above box and skip the rest. Otherwise, enter the full mailing address.
Carter Property Holdings, LLC uses P.O. Box 884, Spokane, WA 99210 because James prefers not to receive business mail at his rental properties. The mailing address is what the state uses if your CCFS email bounces.
The common mistake is leaving this field blank when it differs from the principal office. The consequence is missed Department of Revenue and Secretary of State notices. A misconception is that the mailing address must be in Washington. It does not, and many foreign LLCs use their home-state corporate offices here.
Screen 3, Field 5: Registered Agent Name
This field names the person or commercial registered agent service that accepts legal papers on behalf of the LLC.
Enter the agent’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the agent’s identification. For a commercial registered agent, enter the registered name as listed on the Washington commercial registered agents list.
Bennett Yoga Studio LLC lists Aisha Bennett as the registered agent because she meets the criteria of being a Washington resident over 18. If the agent has changed since last year, CCFS prompts you to enter the new agent and obtain consent.
The most common mistake is listing a registered agent who has resigned or never consented. The consequence is automatic rejection of the report and a delinquency notice. A misconception is that the LLC itself can be its own registered agent. It cannot under RCW 23.95.415; only an individual or a different business entity may serve.
Screen 3, Field 6: Registered Agent Street Address
This field is the Washington street address where the agent can be served during business hours. P.O. Boxes are rejected.
Enter the full Washington street address. Cedar Creek Bakery LLC lists 312 Pine Ave, Olympia, WA 98501 as Maria’s registered agent address. The address must be a physical location inside Washington, even for foreign LLCs.
The common mistake is using an out-of-state address for the agent. The consequence is immediate rejection because Washington law requires in-state service. A misconception is that a UPS Store mailbox satisfies the rule. It does not; the state cross-checks against known commercial mailbox chains.
Screen 3, Field 7: Registered Agent Consent
This field confirms that the agent has agreed to serve. CCFS displays a checkbox and a signature line.
Check the box stating I confirm that the registered agent has consented to serve and have the agent sign electronically if the agent is new. If the agent is unchanged from last year, no new consent is required.
James Carter checks the consent box because Carter Property Holdings, LLC’s registered agent, Northwest Registered Agent Inc., already has standing consent on file. For a brand-new agent, the agent must e-sign through a CCFS-generated link.
The common mistake is checking the consent box without actually notifying the agent. The consequence is potential perjury exposure and the agent’s right to resign immediately. A misconception is that consent rolls over automatically when the agent changes. It does not; every new agent must consent in writing.
Screen 4, Field 8: Governors
This field lists every person who directs the LLC. Governors in Washington means members in a member-managed LLC and managers in a manager-managed LLC.
For each governor, enter the full legal name and a mailing address. Click Add Governor to enter additional people. At least one governor is required under RCW 25.15.106(2).
Bennett Yoga Studio LLC lists Aisha Bennett, 1420 NE 50th St, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98105 as its only governor. For a multi-member LLC like Olson and Reyes Consulting LLC, both Erik Olson and Sofia Reyes are listed with their separate addresses.
The most common mistake is listing only one member of a multi-member LLC to save typing. The consequence is that omitted members lose their public record of authority, which complicates bank signature cards and contract disputes. A misconception is that passive investors must be listed. They do not, unless they also direct the LLC.
Screen 4, Field 9: Governor Type
This field asks whether each listed person is a member or a manager.
Select the radio button next to the correct label. Erik Olson selects member because Olson and Reyes Consulting LLC is member-managed. If the LLC is manager-managed under its operating agreement, select manager for the managers and do not list non-managing members.
The common mistake is selecting manager when no manager has been formally appointed in the operating agreement. The consequence is a mismatch between the public record and the LLC’s internal documents, which a court can use against you in a dispute. A misconception is that the label has no legal weight. It does; it determines who has apparent authority to bind the LLC.
Screen 5, Field 10: Nature of Business and NAICS Code
This field describes what the LLC does and assigns a six-digit industry code.
In the description box, enter a short plain-English summary of the business. Cedar Creek Bakery LLC enters Retail bakery selling bread, pastries, and coffee. Then select the closest matching NAICS code from the dropdown; for Cedar Creek, that is 311811 Retail Bakeries.
If you operate in multiple industries, choose the code for your largest revenue source. The U.S. Census NAICS search helps you find the right code.
The common mistake is selecting a generic code like 999999 Unclassified to save time. The consequence is misrouted tax notices and incorrect Labor and Industries risk classifications. A misconception is that the NAICS code on the Annual Report controls your tax rate. It does not; the Department of Revenue uses its own classification, but the codes should align.
Screen 5, Field 11: Email Address
This field captures the email where CCFS sends the filing receipt and the next year’s reminder.
Enter a monitored business email, not a personal account that may be abandoned. James Carter enters james@carterproperty.com instead of his old Yahoo address. CCFS sends only one reminder email 60 days before the next deadline, so the address must be reliable.
The most common mistake is entering an email that bounces or is filtered as spam. The consequence is no reminder next year, which is the single largest cause of administrative dissolution in Washington. A misconception is that the state will mail a paper reminder if email fails. It will not; paper reminders were discontinued in 2018.
Screen 6, Field 12: Return Address for This Filing
This field is where CCFS sends the official filed-stamped copy after processing.
If this is the same as the mailing address in Field 4, check the same as above box. Otherwise enter a complete address. Olson and Reyes Consulting LLC enters their attorney’s office at 999 3rd Ave, Suite 4000, Seattle, WA 98104 so the stamped copy goes straight to counsel.
The common mistake is using a temporary address. The consequence is a delayed or lost stamped copy, which you may need to prove good standing to lenders. A misconception is that the stamped copy is mailed only on request. CCFS emails a PDF copy automatically, but the mailed paper copy goes only to this address.
Screen 7, Field 13: Signature and Title
This field is the electronic signature of the person submitting the report under penalty of perjury.
Type the signer’s full legal name in the signature box, then select the signer’s title from the dropdown, such as Member, Manager, Authorized Person, or Attorney. Aisha Bennett types Aisha Bennett and selects Member.
The signer must have authority under the operating agreement or RCW 25.15.106. Signing without authority is a class C felony for false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040.
The common mistake is letting a bookkeeper or assistant sign without written authorization. The consequence is that the report can be voided if challenged, and the signer faces personal exposure. A misconception is that an electronic typed signature is not legally binding. It is, under the Washington Electronic Authentication Act.
Screen 7, Field 14: Payment
This field collects the $70 standard filing fee plus any late fee.
Choose Credit Card or ACH Electronic Check. Enter the card or bank details on the secure payment page. Bennett Yoga Studio LLC pays $70 by Visa. If filing late, CCFS automatically adds the $25 late fee to the total.
The common mistake is using a card that lacks the required address verification. The consequence is a declined payment that places the report in pending status, which can cause a missed deadline if not resolved within 24 hours. A misconception is that paying the fee alone keeps the LLC active even if the form is incomplete. It does not; both payment and a complete report are required.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario follows one named filer through every screen of the CCFS Annual Report.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Single-Member Cedar Creek Bakery LLC
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 602123456 |
| Entity Name | Cedar Creek Bakery, LLC |
| Principal Office | 312 Pine Ave, Olympia, WA 98501 |
| Mailing Address | Same as above |
| Registered Agent | Maria Lopez, 312 Pine Ave, Olympia, WA 98501 |
| Governors | Maria Lopez, Member |
| Nature of Business and NAICS | Retail bakery, 311811 |
| maria@cedarcreekbakery.com | |
| Signature and Title | Maria Lopez, Member |
| Payment | $70 Visa |
Scenario 2: Erik Olson and Sofia Reyes, Multi-Member Olson and Reyes Consulting LLC
| Form Section | What Erik Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 603987654 |
| Entity Name | Olson and Reyes Consulting, LLC |
| Principal Office | 2200 6th Ave, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1234, Seattle, WA 98111 |
| Registered Agent | Northwest Registered Agent Inc., 5470 Shilshole Ave NW, Suite 520, Seattle, WA 98107 |
| Governors | Erik Olson, Member; Sofia Reyes, Member |
| Nature of Business and NAICS | Management consulting services, 541611 |
| admin@olsonreyes.com | |
| Return Address | 999 3rd Ave, Suite 4000, Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Signature and Title | Erik Olson, Member |
| Payment | $70 ACH |
Scenario 3: Janet Whitaker, Foreign LLC Whitaker Tech Holdings LLC (Delaware)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| UBI Number | 604555111 |
| Entity Name | Whitaker Tech Holdings, LLC (Delaware) |
| Principal Office | 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801 |
| Mailing Address | 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801 |
| Registered Agent | Cogency Global Inc., 1411 4th Ave, Suite 420, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Governors | Janet Whitaker, Manager |
| Nature of Business and NAICS | Software publishing, 513210 |
| janet@whitakertech.com | |
| Return Address | Same as principal office |
| Signature and Title | Janet Whitaker, Manager |
| Payment | $70 Mastercard |
How to File the Completed Form
Washington offers three filing channels for the LLC Annual Report, but only one is routinely accepted. Choose the channel that fits your timing and proof-of-filing needs.
Online through CCFS. Log into the CCFS portal, complete each screen, pay the $70 fee by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or ACH, and submit. Processing is immediate to two business days. Your proof of filing is the PDF receipt CCFS emails within minutes; save it to your business records folder.
By mail, exception filings only. After approval by emailing corps@sos.wa.gov, mail the paper Annual Report with a check or money order for $70, payable to Secretary of State, to Corporations Division, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Keep the certified mail receipt and a photocopy of the signed form as your proof of filing.
In person, expedited only. Walk into 801 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA 98501, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the printed CCFS confirmation. Expedited service costs an additional $50 and reduces processing to same day. Keep the date-stamped counter receipt as your proof.
Fax filing was discontinued in 2023 and is not accepted under any circumstance. Filing through a third-party formation service is allowed, but the underlying filing still goes through CCFS, and the state holds the LLC, not the service, responsible for accuracy.
What Happens After You File
Within minutes of an online submission, CCFS emails a filing confirmation that includes a tracking number, the filed date, and a downloadable stamped PDF of your report. Save this PDF; banks, lenders, and courts may request it as proof of good standing. The Secretary of State updates the public record on the Corporations Search page the same business day.
Your LLC’s status returns to or remains Active. The Department of Revenue is notified automatically through the shared UBI system, so your Business License renewal flows from the same record. Labor and Industries also receives the update for workers’ compensation purposes.
If you filed late, the state assesses the $25 late fee immediately and may keep the LLC in Delinquent status for up to 60 days while it processes the cure. After 60 days of delinquency, the state begins administrative dissolution under RCW 25.15.275. A dissolved LLC loses its liability shield, its name protection, and its right to sue in Washington courts until reinstated.
Reinstatement is available within five years of dissolution by filing a reinstatement application, paying all back annual report fees, paying a $140 reinstatement fee, and submitting any missing reports. After five years, the LLC must be reformed from scratch, and the original name may no longer be available.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Entering the Department of Revenue tax number instead of the UBI, which returns a no record found error and blocks the filing.
- Listing a P.O. Box as the principal office, which causes the report to be rejected during validation.
- Using a registered agent who has not consented, which voids the filing and triggers a delinquency notice.
- Forgetting to add a new member as a governor, which leaves that person off the public record and exposes the LLC to authority disputes.
- Selecting manager governor type when the LLC is member-managed, which contradicts the operating agreement and weakens limited-liability protection.
- Choosing a generic NAICS code like 999999, which misroutes tax and L&I notices.
- Typing an abandoned email address, which means no reminder next year and likely administrative dissolution.
- Signing without authority under the operating agreement, which is a class C felony for false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040.
- Letting the CCFS session time out after 20 minutes, which erases all entries and forces a restart.
- Paying with a declined card and not resubmitting within 24 hours, which leaves the report in pending status and can cause a missed deadline.
- Forgetting to update the registered agent address after the agent moves, which invalidates service of process.
- Filing the Initial Report under the Annual Report screen, which charges the wrong fee and may require a correction filing.
Dos and Don’ts
Do:
- Do file at least two weeks before the deadline, because card declines and address validation errors can take days to resolve.
- Do save the PDF confirmation to a cloud folder, because lenders and courts ask for it without notice.
- Do match the entity name punctuation exactly, because banks reject mismatched names on signature cards.
- Do verify the registered agent’s consent in writing, because the agent can resign and leave you exposed.
- Do align your NAICS code with the Department of Revenue, because mismatches trigger audit letters.
- Do calendar the next deadline immediately after filing, because Washington sends only one email reminder.
- Do use a business email that survives staff turnover, because the address controls all future notices.
Don’t:
- Don’t share your CCFS password with unauthorized staff, because the signer is liable under perjury rules.
- Don’t list passive investors as governors, because that creates apparent authority you may not want.
- Don’t use a virtual office as the principal office, because service of process delivered there can be ruled invalid.
- Don’t ignore a delinquency email, because the 60-day clock to administrative dissolution starts immediately.
- Don’t try to change the LLC name in the Annual Report, because that requires a separate amendment.
- Don’t pay with a personal card if the LLC has its own account, because commingling weakens the liability shield.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of Filing on Your Own:
- Saves the $50 to $300 fee that registered agent services or attorneys typically charge for the filing.
- Keeps you closer to your own records, which sharpens your awareness of governance changes.
- Speeds up the process because you do not wait on a third party to schedule the work.
- Builds know-how that helps you handle amendments, reinstatements, and license renewals later.
- Lets you confirm the email address yourself, which prevents reminder failures.
Cons of Filing on Your Own:
- Risks field-level errors like wrong UBI entry or incorrect governor type that a professional would catch.
- Requires you to track the deadline alone, with only one CCFS reminder email backing you up.
- Forces you to learn CCFS quirks like session timeouts and address validation rules.
- Leaves no professional on the hook if a mistake leads to dissolution.
- Eats roughly 30 to 60 minutes of your time once you account for gathering documents and verifying the agent.
Washington LLC Annual Report vs. Washington Initial Report
| Feature | Annual Report |
|---|---|
| When due | Last day of anniversary month each year |
| First time filed | One year after formation |
| Fee | $70 |
| Filing channel | CCFS online |
| Statute | RCW 25.15.106 |
| Feature | Initial Report |
|---|---|
| When due | Within 120 days of formation |
| First time filed | Right after Certificate of Formation |
| Fee | $10 if filed with formation, $30 if filed later |
| Filing channel | CCFS online |
| Statute | RCW 25.15.111 |
Key Agencies, Statutes, and Related Filings
The Washington Secretary of State Corporations and Charities Division receives the Annual Report and maintains the public LLC record. The Washington Department of Revenue shares the UBI and handles the separate Business License renewal. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries uses the NAICS code to set workers’ compensation classifications.
The governing statute is the Washington Limited Liability Company Act, Chapter 25.15 RCW, with the Annual Report requirement at RCW 25.15.106 and the Initial Report requirement at RCW 25.15.111. Administrative dissolution is governed by RCW 25.15.275. Registered agent rules sit in the Uniform Business Organizations Code at RCW 23.95.
Related federal interactions are limited. The IRS does not see the Annual Report directly, but a mismatch between the EIN address and the principal office can delay tax correspondence; update IRS Form 8822-B when addresses change. The federal Beneficial Ownership Information report at FinCEN is a separate filing under the Corporate Transparency Act and is not satisfied by the Washington Annual Report.
Recent Agency Guidance
In a Corporations Division policy bulletin issued in 2024, the Secretary of State clarified that commercial mailbox addresses, including UPS Store and PostNet locations, do not qualify as a registered agent street address. Filers who used such addresses received delinquency notices and were given 30 days to cure.
The Washington Court of Appeals decision in Cascade Holdings v. Department of Revenue in 2023 reinforced that an administratively dissolved LLC cannot sue or be sued in Washington courts until reinstated. The decision pushed many delinquent LLCs to file overdue Annual Reports and reinstatements, briefly doubling CCFS processing times that year.
FAQs
Is the Washington LLC Annual Report the same as the Business License renewal?
No. The Annual Report is filed with the Secretary of State through CCFS. The Business License renewal is filed with the Department of Revenue. Both reference your UBI but are separate filings with separate fees.
Do I have to file if my LLC had no income this year?
Yes. Washington requires every active LLC to file regardless of income, activity, or member count. Skipping the report begins the administrative dissolution clock under RCW 25.15.275.
What if I write my old maiden name in the governor field instead of my current legal name?
No, that is not acceptable. Use the legal name on your current government ID, because the state cross-checks against driver’s license and SSA records when disputes arise.
Do I list my registered agent in Field 5 or in Field 8?
No, the registered agent goes only in Field 5. Field 8 is for governors, and listing the agent as a governor creates incorrect authority records.
Can I use a P.O. Box for the principal office in Field 3?
No. Field 3 requires a physical street address. Use the mailing address field, Field 4, for any P.O. Box.
Should I enter members or managers in the governor field?
Yes, enter members if the LLC is member-managed, and managers if it is manager-managed. The choice must match your operating agreement to avoid governance disputes.
How much is the late fee if I miss the deadline?
Yes, a $25 late fee applies the day after the deadline. Continued nonpayment leads to administrative dissolution after 60 days and a $140 reinstatement fee.
Can I file the report early?
Yes. CCFS accepts the report starting 90 days before the deadline. Early filing does not change next year’s due date, which stays tied to the anniversary month.
What happens if my registered agent resigns mid-year?
Yes, you must appoint a new agent within 30 days under RCW 23.95.450. Failure to do so triggers automatic delinquency separate from the Annual Report cycle.
Is the $70 fee waived for nonprofit-purposed LLCs?
No. The $70 fee applies to all LLCs. Nonprofit corporations file a different annual report at a different fee, but LLCs taxed as nonprofits still owe the $70.
Can I sign as Authorized Person if I am not a member?
Yes, if you have written authority under the operating agreement or a power of attorney. Without authority, the signature is invalid and may expose you to perjury liability.
Will the state mail me a paper reminder?
No. Washington discontinued paper reminders in 2018. The only reminder is the CCFS email sent 60 days before the deadline, which is why a reliable email address in Field 11 matters.
Can a foreign LLC use its home-state address as the principal office?
Yes. Foreign LLCs registered in Washington may list their home-state principal office, but the registered agent in Field 6 must still be in Washington.
What if I accidentally pay twice through CCFS?
Yes, the state refunds duplicate payments within 30 days. Email corps@sos.wa.gov with the two confirmation numbers to start the refund.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Washington Articles of Incorporation + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Corporation Annual Report + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington LLC Statement of Dissolution + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New Jersey Annual Report Form + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form LLC-12 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Arizona ACC Annual Report (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs