Washington State LLC Formation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Washington State can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, it can be done efficiently. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to form an LLC in Washington State, including the necessary documents, fees, and procedures.

The first step in forming an LLC in Washington State is to choose a business name. The name must be unique and not already in use by another business in the state. You can check the availability of the name by searching the Washington State Secretary of State's database. Once you have chosen a name, you can reserve it for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Application with the Secretary of State's office.

Next, you will need to file Articles of Organization with the Washington State Secretary of State's office. The Articles of Organization must include the following information:

• The name and address of the LLC
• The purpose of the LLC
• The names and addresses of the LLC's members
• The management structure of the LLC (e.g. member-managed or manager-managed)

The Articles of Organization must be signed by at least one member of the LLC and filed with the Secretary of State's office. The filing fee for the Articles of Organization is currently $200.

Once the Articles of Organization have been filed, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Existence from the Secretary of State's office. This certificate confirms that the LLC has been formed and is in good standing with the state.

In addition to filing the Articles of Organization, you will also need to obtain any necessary business licenses and permits. The types of licenses and permits required will depend on the nature of your business and the local jurisdiction in which you will be operating.

Finally, you will need to create an Operating Agreement, which outlines the ownership and management structure of the LLC. The Operating Agreement should include the following information:

• The ownership percentage of each member
• The management structure of the LLC
• The roles and responsibilities of each member
• The process for making decisions and resolving disputes

The Operating Agreement is an internal document and is not filed with the state. However, it is an important document that helps to establish the rights and responsibilities of the LLC's members.

Forming an LLC in Washington State can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, it can be done efficiently. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your LLC is formed correctly and that you are in compliance with all state and local regulations.