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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington

Washington calls it the Certificate of Existence and charges $20. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Existence
State fee
$20
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Online: immediate Express PDF ($20). Mail/email: 3-5 business days plus optional expedite
Issuing office
Washington SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Washington SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the Washington portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $20 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for Washington

Washington uses Certificate of Existence (for domestic) and Certificate of Authorization (for foreign). The Express PDF Short Form ($20) is instantly downloadable from the Corporations and Charities dashboard. Long-form certificates and certified copies are available through paper submission. Verify authenticity via the SOS website.

Processing and expedited tiers: Online: immediate Express PDF ($20). Mail/email: 3-5 business days plus optional expedite

Important to know about Washington

  • The WA LLC annual report (Initial Report + recurring Annual Report, $60 each, due by the end of the formation anniversary month) must be current. Missing it removes the LLC from good standing.
  • Washington certificates are available as an electronic PDF with embedded state seal - no paper/raised-seal option is required for most uses, unlike some other states with raised-seal requirements.
  • For inbound foreign qualifications INTO Washington, the home-state Certificate of Existence must be dated within 60 days of the WA filing. Stricter than the typical 90-day window.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your Washington LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

Washington foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Washington Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Washington SOS before ordering.