State Guide

Washington LLC for Non‑Residents

Home to Amazon and Microsoft. No state income tax but a higher filing fee. Worth considering if you operate in the Pacific Northwest tech ecosystem.

$230 State filing fee (LLC)
$60/yr Annual Report
No State Income Tax Amazon, Microsoft HQ state

Why Washington?

Home to Amazon and Microsoft. No state income tax but a higher filing fee. Worth considering if you operate in the Pacific Northwest tech ecosystem. Non-residents can form a Washington LLC without any US address, SSN, or physical presence. Edeal handles the registered agent requirement and the entire filing process.

Most non-residents registering a US LLC choose Wyoming ($100 filing fee, $60/year) or Delaware (investor-friendly). Washington makes the most sense when you have operations, clients, or partners in Washington state, particularly in tech or e-commerce.

State Fees

These are government fees paid to the State of Washington — not Edeal's service fee. Edeal registers your LLC for $1 + state fees.

LLC Formation

  • Filing fee: $230 — one-time, paid to the Washington Secretary of State
  • Annual fee: $60/yr — annual report, paid to the State of Washington to keep your LLC in good standing
  • Registered Agent: required by law — Edeal provides a registered agent as part of its service

All fees are set by the State of Washington and publicly available from the Washington Secretary of State's office.

Who Washington Is Right For

  • Businesses with physical presence in Washington — employees, office space, or warehouse
  • Companies serving Washington-based customers — local nexus justifies registration here
  • Non-residents when you have operations, clients, or partners in Washington state, particularly in tech or e-commerce

Who Washington Is Not the Best Fit For

  • Freelancers and remote businesses without Washington ties — Wyoming or Delaware are usually more cost-effective
  • Non-residents seeking maximum privacy — Wyoming and New Mexico offer stronger member privacy protections
  • Businesses optimizing purely for cost — Wyoming at $100 + $60/year is typically the baseline for non-residents

If you are unsure which state fits your situation, Edeal can help you compare before you register.

FAQ

Do I need to visit Washington or have a US address to register an LLC?

No. Non-residents from any country can register a Washington LLC without visiting the state, without a US address, and without an SSN. The only requirement is a registered agent with a Washington address — Edeal provides this.

What is the annual fee for a Washington LLC?

The annual government fee for a Washington LLC is $60/yr (Annual Report). This fee is paid to the State of Washington to keep your LLC in good standing — it is a mandatory government fee, not an income tax rate.

Can I open a US bank account with a Washington LLC?

Yes. A Washington LLC formed through Edeal comes with the documentation typically required by US banks and fintechs (Mercury, Relay, Brex). Having an EIN is usually also required — Edeal can assist with that process.