Washington Secretary of State Corporations Division
Address: 801 Capitol Way South, PO Box 40234, Olympia WA 98504-0234
Telephone: 1(360) 725-0377
Website: www.sos.wa.gov
E-Mail: www2.sos.wa.gov/contact
Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday except legal holidays

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

Search for a business entity (Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership) in Washington by going to the Secretary of State’s Website. Lookup by Name or UBI Number. Be sure if you use the Name option to be as descriptive as you can as the database will all match related listings on the Results Page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

When previewing the listings page all the results will be listed in alphabetical order. When you have found your entity, click on the green text (Name) and you will be able to see a preview of the entity including its UBI Number, Category, Profit/Non-Profit Status, State of Formation, Filing Date, Expiration Date, Inactive Date (if exists), Duration, Registered Agent Information (Name and Address), and any special address information.

If you would like to see the full list of details about the business on file with the Secretary of State you will need to click on the ‘View Additional Information’ link. You will be sent to the Information Page (See Sample Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

The additional details you may be able to view are the Officers (President, VP, Treasurer, etc.)  names and addresses of the corporation.

To view Previously Filed Documents you will have to purchase (starting at $5 to $20) from the Secretary of State by clicking on the green text link at the bottom of the page.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Washington

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.