How to incorporate in Washington

There are three ways to incorporate your business in almost every State: hire a lawyer to do the job for you (a very expensive option), walk in to the State Department office and do it by yourself or to use a professional incorporation company, like Activefilings.

We can incorporate your business or form your limited liability company for a small fee, compared not only to an attorney but to our competitors.

Why ? Because we process incorporations each day, from all around the US and the World, from entrepreneurs like you that want to have the peace of mind that only Activefilings can bring them.

If you still want to take the risk and do it by yourself, please let us help you with this information that we have collected from your state. Please, feel free to review your state's information on our site. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.

Whatever method you chose, we will be glad to help.

Corporate Name Endings

The corporate name must include the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company" or "limited" or abbreviation "corp", "inc", "co", "ltd". The name must not imply a purpose other than the purpose stated in charter. The name must be distinguishable from the name of any other domestic corporation or of any foreign corporation authorized to do business in state. Name must not include certain enumerated words indicating that it is bank or savings and loan or any other words or phrases prohibited by any state statute.

Articles of Incorporation Requirements

Director Information

* Minimum Number - One or more.

* Residence Requirements. - No provision.

* Age Requirements - None.

* Directors are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Officer Information

* The officers are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Stock Information

* No extra filing fees based on number of share or amount of par value.

Yearly Requirements

* Annual Statements

* File statement with Secretary of State on or before expiration of the corporation's corporate license, or not less than 30 days or more than 90 days prior to the expiration date of any staggered yearly license. Secretary of State mails notice to each domestic corporation that its annual license fee must be paid. Annual license fee is $50 ($10 for inactive corporations), payable to the Secretary of State.

Income Tax Rate

* No income tax.

For more information on taxes, visit www.wa.org/dor/wador.htm