Key Takeaways

  • A Washington business entity search is essential for checking LLC name availability and verifying business details.
  • Washington requires LLC names to be distinguishable, include “LLC,” and avoid restricted terms like “Corporation” or “Inc.”
  • The Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Filing System allows searches by business name, UBI number, or advanced filters.
  • Search results provide valuable information, including registered agent details, governing persons, status, and expiration dates.
  • Additional resources, like ordering a Certificate of Existence, can be accessed through the system.
  • Washington businesses must also register for state taxes such as B&O tax, sales tax, and industry-specific taxes.

Washington LLC Name Search

A Washington State business search is the first step toward forming your Washington LLC. A business search ensures that the name you desire for your business is available for use.

Why Perform a Washington Business Entity Search

Conducting a Washington business entity search is more than just confirming whether your preferred LLC name is available. The search can also help you:

  • Verify the legal existence of an entity registered in Washington.
  • Check if a business is in “active” or “inactive” status.
  • Find out the name and address of a company’s registered agent.
  • Review the list of governing persons, such as members or managers.
  • Confirm important dates, including formation date and expiration date.
  • Order official records, such as a Certificate of Existence, if needed.

This makes the Washington business entity search an important tool for entrepreneurs, lenders, and business partners who want to confirm legitimacy and compliance.

Name Requirements when Forming a Washington LLC

You will need to follow these naming requirements when forming your LLC in Washington:

  • You must use ‘LLC' or ‘L.L.C.' at the end of your business's name
  • You cannot use ‘Corporation', ‘Corp.', ‘Incorporated', or ‘Inc.' in your name, as LLCs in Washington are not corporations
  • The name of your LLC must be distinct from all other businesses that are registered in the State of Washington
  • Altering grammar or changing designations will not make your LLC name distinct enough to be registered in Washington

Washington SOS Business Entity Search Steps

Once you understand Washington LLC naming requirements, you can use the Washington Secretary of State business entity search to see if your desired name is available.

First, you should visit the Washington Corporations Search page. Next, locate the ‘Organization Name' box, enter the desired name of your LLC, and then click ‘Search'.

Always make sure you've selected the default option of ‘Name Starts With'. You do not need to worry about capitalization, and you can also leave out identifiers.

After submitting your search term, you can browse the results in Washington state. If you see a message that states ‘Your search didn't return any results', you are free you use your desired name. You can also use your preferred LLC name if the results you find are not similar to your LLC name.

If you find an existing LLC that is very similar to the name of LLC, you will need to choose a new and distinguishable name.

During your search, you will be provided with a list of business names in the state. Any information that has been recorded in the Public Access System will be viewable. If you're not sure about the uniqueness of your LLC name, you should not file your papers with the State of Washington. The $180 fee filing fee required in Washington is non-refundable.

Unless the Washington Secretary of State has approved your LLC, you should not request a Federal Tax ID Number (EIN). You should also refrain from purchasing a domain name or business items such as a letterhead or business cards until your LLC is approved.

Washington Secretary of State Contact Info

For assistance checking the availability of your LLC name, or to get answers you your questions about forming an LLC in Washington, you can contact the Secretary of state Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, by calling 360-725-0377.

Information Available in Search Results

When you use the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Filing System, each search result provides access to key business details, such as:

  • Entity Name and UBI Number – The official business name and its unique identifier.
  • Entity Type – Whether the entity is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit.
  • Status – Whether the entity is active, inactive, or administratively dissolved.
  • Registered Agent – The individual or business designated to receive service of process.
  • Governing Persons – A list of members, managers, or directors.
  • Principal Office Address – The primary business address on file.
  • Filing History – Access to filed documents, such as annual reports and amendments.

This information helps you assess the reliability of a business and avoid issues with name conflicts or compliance.

Unified Business Identifier (UBI) Search Steps

If you wish to search for only your business entity, you can perform a unified business identifier (UBI) search. When you perform a UBI search, you will need to enter your identifier number in the right field and then click ‘Search'.

If you have submitted your identifier correctly, you will be presented with the name of the business. Then, you will be able to review information about the business contained in the Public Access System. This includes governing members, the business's registered agent, and the expiration date of the business.

Advanced Search Steps

An advanced search is available for people seeking the narrowest search results possible.

Some of the parameters available in the advanced search include:

  • Name of the business
  • The type of business
  • Whether the business is active
  • Information about the governing members
  • Name of the registered agent
  • Business address

To perform an advanced search, you will first need to enter every piece of information you want searched and then click ‘Search'. After submitting this information, you will receive a list of businesses that match your terms. You can then select one of these businesses to review its information.

Certain documents, including a Certificate of Existence, can be purchased if you desire further information.

Ordering Certified Business Documents

In addition to searching for information, the Washington Corporations & Charities system allows you to purchase official records. Common documents include:

  • Certificate of Existence (Certificate of Good Standing) – Confirms that a business is authorized to operate in Washington and is current on its filings.
  • Certified Copies of Filings – Such as articles of organization, amendments, or annual reports.
  • Historical Filings – Useful for research or due diligence.

These records are often required by banks, investors, or other state agencies when expanding your business or applying for financing.

Washington Business Resource

When you start a business in Washington, you are required to register for taxes that are applicable to your business. The Business and Occupation Tax, Retail Sales Tax, Use Tax, and Unemployment Insurance Tax are all taxes that may apply to your business in Washington.

Depending on the services and products offered by your business, you may also be required to pay the following taxes:

  • Convention and trade center tax
  • Rental car tax
  • Tobacco products tax
  • Public utilities tax

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is a Washington business entity search free? Yes. Basic searches on the Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Filing System are free. Fees only apply if you order official documents like a Certificate of Existence.
  2. What is a UBI number in Washington? The Unified Business Identifier (UBI) is a nine-digit number assigned to every business registered in Washington. It is used across state agencies for identification and tax purposes.
  3. Can I reserve a business name in Washington? Yes. If your desired name is available, you can reserve it for 180 days by filing a Name Reservation request with the Secretary of State.
  4. What if my Washington LLC name is already taken? You’ll need to choose a different, distinguishable name. Small changes in punctuation or grammar will not make your name unique enough for approval.
  5. How do I get a Certificate of Existence in Washington? You can order a Certificate of Existence directly through the Corporations & Charities Filing System for a fee. The document confirms your business is active and compliant.

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