How to File an SOS Registration (WA LLC)

How Launch files a Washington State LLC formation (or foreign-entity registration) with the WA Secretary of State on behalf of a client. This is one of the most common first steps when a new business signs up — either as part of a Startup Support engagement or because they're using Launch as their Registered Agent.

When to file

• New WA LLC formation (most common)
• Foreign LLC / corporation registration in WA (out-of-state entity wants to do business in WA)
• LLC amendment (name change, registered agent change, member change)
• Annual report (separate procedure, not covered here)

Prerequisites

Before you sit down to file, collect from the client:

• Proposed LLC name — verify availability in CCFS first; reserve if needed
• Principal office address — physical street address; can be the client's home or our office if they're using us as RA
• Mailing address — can match principal or differ; PO Box OK
• Registered Agent name + address — if Launch, use Launch Industries, PO Box 16288, Seattle, WA 98116
• Member / manager names — and whether member-managed or manager-managed
• Executor / organizer name + email — the person signing the formation
• Effective date — same-day or specify a future date (up to 90 days out)
• Duration — almost always "perpetual"
• Purpose — generic acceptable: "any lawful business"
• NAICS code — see Company Info for our codes; for clients, ask what they do and pick the closest match
• Payment method — credit card; the WA SOS fee is currently $200 for an LLC ($180 base + $20 expedite optional)

Filing procedure

What happens next

After SOS filing, the typical Startup Support sequence is:

1. Get an EIN from the IRS — see EIN Application SOP
2. Register with WA DOR for tax accounts — see DOR Registration SOP
3. File the city business license via FileLocal — see File Local SOP
4. Set up banking with the new EIN + Certificate of Formation
5. Set up payroll in Gusto if they have employees

Common gotchas

• Name with restricted words ("bank," "trust," "engineer," "doctor," etc.) — requires additional licensing/clearance before WA SOS will approve.
• PO Box as Principal Office — gets rejected. Use the client's home address with a Confidential Address request if privacy is a concern.
• Mismatched RA consent — if Launch is the RA, our consent letter must match the entity name exactly as filed.
• Same-day filing past 3:00 PM — even with expedite, you may not see approval until next morning.

Pricing for client

• WA SOS filing fee — $200 (or $180 if no expedite). Passed through at cost.
• Launch service fee for filing — see the Startup Support service catalog or the engagement-specific quote. Typically billed flat-rate for new formations and hourly for amendments.