Washington business entity search and name check

What the Washington search covers

CCFS covers Washington and out-of-state corporations (profit, nonprofit and social purpose), LLCs and professional LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and cooperatives, including administratively dissolved and inactive businesses. Charities and trademarks have their own searches in CCFS. Trade names are not here; they are handled by the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service.

A name search can find names that contain your words, and you can also search by UBI number. When deciding whether a name is available, the state ignores words that only show the business type, such as "Inc." or "LLC".

Each record has a UBI Number (for example 604 123 456 (example format only)). Search by number on the CCFS (Corporations and Charities Filing System).

How to read Washington results

Washington uses its own status labels. We always show the official wording; here is what the common ones mean according to the state:

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

Washington business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited liability co., L.L.C., LLC. A corporation uses one of: corporation, incorporated, company, limited, Corp., Inc., Co., Ltd..

A new name must be distinguishable in the Secretary of State's records from existing Washington businesses (unless administratively dissolved), registered out-of-state businesses, and reserved or registered names. (RCW 23.95.300) Source: app.leg.wa.gov

When comparing names, Washington disregards: words or abbreviations that show the business type (Corporation, Corp., Incorporated, Inc., Company, Co., Social Purpose Corporation, SPC and similar); plural forms of a word; other minor variations listed in RCW 23.95.300(3). Our name check applies these same rules.

Words that need approval or are restricted

Professional LLCs

A professional LLC name must include "Professional Limited Liability Company", "P.L.L.C." or "PLLC". A dental PLLC must include the full names or surnames of all members plus "chartered", "professional services" or "PLLC".

Using a similar name with consent

Yes. The business that already holds the name can consent in writing and agree to change its own name to one that is distinguishable. A court judgment establishing your right to the name also works.

Reserving a name in Washington

Washington lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $30, held for 180 days. The law doesn't provide for renewal, but a reservation can be transferred to someone else.

Apply online through CCFS with your name and address and the name you want to reserve. The fee is $30 and the reservation lasts 180 days.

Washington name reservation Source: sos.wa.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Corporations and Charities Division can.

Forming an LLC in Washington

Document

Certificate of Formation

State filing fee

$180
The $180 Certificate of Formation fee is followed by a $10 Initial Report, which is due after the LLC is formed.

File online

Corporations and Charities Division filing

Processing

Standard processing takes 7–10 business days. Expedited service costs $100 per business and takes about 3 working days; same-day service in person costs $150 per business.

Out-of-state LLC registering here

$180 (Foreign Registration Statement (Original Filings))

Fees change. Confirm them on the official Washington fee schedule before you file.

Keeping a Washington LLC in good standing

Annual Report: $70. Due by the last day of the month in which the LLC was formed or registered; you can file up to 180 days early. Late fee: $25. Source: sos.wa.gov

Washington's business and occupation (B&O) tax is administered by the Department of Revenue. We haven't summarized it here.

A late annual report costs $95 in total ($70 plus a $25 delinquency fee). The state sends a reminder about 60 days before the deadline, but not getting it doesn't excuse a late filing.

Proof of status: Certificate of Existence/Good Standing ($20). Source: sos.wa.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

Trade names are registered with the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service, not the Secretary of State. Registering an LLC name doesn't control who can use a trade name. We couldn't confirm the trade name fee. Source: app.leg.wa.gov

Good to know about Washington

• Name reservations last 180 days, longer than the 120 days many states allow. Source: app.leg.wa.gov
• Once a business is administratively dissolved, its name no longer blocks someone else from forming a business with that name. Source: app.leg.wa.gov
• The $70 annual report is due by the end of the month the LLC was formed. A late report costs $95, and staying delinquent can lead to dissolution. Source: sos.wa.gov
• Each business has a 9-digit UBI number that is shared with the Department of Revenue. Source: sos.wa.gov
• Forming an LLC, forming a corporation and registering an out-of-state business each cost the same $180. Source: sos.wa.gov
• Trade names (DBAs) are handled by the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service, not the Secretary of State. Source: app.leg.wa.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official Washington sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Corporations and Charities Division can change an official record.