If you formed your LLC in Washington and need to provide proof of your LLC’s good standing, then you’ll need to obtain a “Certificate of Existence” from the Washington Secretary of State.
The cost of a Certificate of Good Standing from the Washington Secretary of State is $20.00. The Certificate of Existence is available within two business days online.
Providing proof of good standing for an LLC may be required when:
Read this page to learn how to obtain proof of Good Standing for a Washington LLC.
A Certificate of Existence is a document issued by the Washington Secretary of State, which confirms that your LLC has been registered with the state and is in good standing. Sometimes this is also called a “Certificate of Good Standing.”
There are two ways to obtain a Certificate of Existence from the Washington State Secretary of State
Step 1. Request a Washington Certificate of Existence online:
Visit the Washington Secretary of State website, click on “Corporations and Charities,” “Additional Services”, and then “Copies and Certification”. This will take you finally to the Washington State “Corporations and Charities Filing System.” Fill in the required fields and submit your request. The cost is $20.00 for an expedited certificate which will be provided within two business days.
Step 2. Request Washington Certificate of Existence by mail:
Alternatively, you can request a Washington Certificate of Good Standing by mail. Simply download the application form from the Washington Secretary of State website and send it along with a check or money order for $20.00 to the address listed on the form.
Washington Secretary of State
Corporations & Charities Division
801 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98501
Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
Once you have received your Washington Certificate of Good Standing, you can use it as proof that your LLC is in good standing with the Washington Secretary of State. You may also need to submit additional documents along with the certificate, such as articles of organization or operating agreement.
A Washington LLC might fail to be in good standing if it fails to file an annual report, does not pay its fees on time, or fails to keep its information up-to-date with the Washington Secretary of State.
If your Washington LLC has lost its good standing, then you will need to take action to restore it. You can do this by filing the required documents with the Washington Secretary of State and paying any outstanding fees or penalties. Once all of the requirements have been met, a new Certificate of Good Standing will be issued.
No, Washington does not require you to maintain a Certificate of Good Standing; however, it can be beneficial if your Washington LLC needs to prove its good standing status with other states or entities.
A Washington Certificate of Good Standing does not need to be renewed. However, Washington LLCs must file an annual report and pay the associated fee each year in order to maintain good standing status with the Washington Secretary of State.
If your Washington LLC has lost its good standing, then you will need to file the required documents and pay any outstanding fees or penalties in order to restore it. Once all of the requirements have been met, a new Certificate of Good Standing will be issued.