Last updated: March 13, 2023

Selecting a registered agent in Washington is crucial to the compliance and success of your business entity. To determine the best service providers, we went the extra mile to evaluate thoroughly and rank the best Washington registered agents.

Working with our legal team, we professionally reviewed each service provider based on essential criteria, such as pricing, customer support services, and turnaround time.

We also highlighted their best features and what makes them a good choice.

Read to the end to see our best recommendation.


Top 10 Registered Agent Services in Washington (March 2023)

1 - Northwest Registered Agent Service (Editor's Choice)

Northwest logo with an office person in the background

Northwest Registered Agent Service is a leading registered agent with complete service features matched with customer-centric solutions.

Northwest Registered Agent is a 20-year-old company headquartered in Spokane, Washington, and has had its offices expanded eventually in all other 50 states.

Upon subscribing to their services, Northwest Registered Agent provided the street address for our business and received the Service of Process on our behalf.

Plus, they scanned and forwarded our business documents as soon as they received them.

Northwest Registered Agent also notifies you of compliance filing deadlines so you can file your annual report and tax documents on time.

We appreciate that their excellent customer service is supported by a US-based support team comprising former attorneys, accountants, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($125/year): Offered for free for the first year when purchased with LLC formation, then it renews annually at its standard price.
  • Washington LLC Formation (Starts at $39 + $200 State Fee): This registered agent service includes essential LLC formation documents and tools and a registered agent in Washington. Plus, free mail forwarding and scanning on the same day of receiving the documents.
Pros
  • They value clients’ privacy
  • Outstanding customer support
  • More than two decades of experience in the industry
  • Guaranteed no hidden charges
  • Provides free registered agent with every LLC formation package
Cons
  • High priced in comparison to the competition
Sign Up To Northwest Registered Agent Service

2 - ZenBusiness

A ZenBusiness logo with a working entrepreneur in the background

Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness registered agent company has received thousands of positive customer reviews and is well-known for its competitive prices, premium registered agent, and customer dedication.

It is the best-registered agent service for an LLC if you’re a business owner looking for one of the lowest Washington registered agent service prices with or without the LLC formation service.

When we first registered with this registered agent company, we accessed a wide array of services including invoicing tools and operating agreement forms.

Plus, we also received a comprehensive accounting assessment of our business from one of their expert accountants.

ZenBusiness commercial registered agent company is a venture-funded public benefit corporation that has served over 70,000 clients since its launch.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services Basic Package ($199): Complete coverage of their commercial registered agent service, access to your own online account, and a personalized customer service representative. It costs $199/year.
  • ZenBusiness Starter costs ($0 + $200 State Fee): This Starter Washington subscription covers the standard corporate filing service, including name availability search capabilities, access to your files via the ZenBusiness site, and standard filing speed (2 to 3 weeks).
  • ZenBusiness Pro ($199 + $200 State Fee): ZenBusiness Pro provides different Washington LLC formation services like financial reports, faster expedited filling speed (4 to 6 days), employment ID number generation, and compliance reviews and alerts.
  • ZenBusiness Premium ($299 + $200 State Fee): This LLC formation membership plan incorporates the platform's services and comes with the fastest rush filling speed (1 to 2 days) as well as fully customizable business website.
Pros
  • Has reasonable pricing of registered agents services
  • Provides extended hours of chat customer support
  • Has excellent customer feedback
  • They offer a 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
  • Relatively new registered agents service provider
Sign Up To ZenBusiness

3 - IncFile

Incfile logo with a business woman in the background

IncFile is a Washington registered agent service provider that was established in 2004.

They have become a well-known company for providing free formation and representation services to all new Washington businesses for the first year.

In addition to their overwhelming amount of positive customer feedback online, IncFile also features an impressive online dashboard that makes it easier to directly access our business documents and stay on top of filing deadlines.

One downside we discovered throughout our research is that IncFile does not have a customer support team on weekends, which is a huge letdown, especially for business owners who work full-time and may want urgent advice or help on weekends.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($119/year): Free service for the first year when purchased with their formation package. Charges a flat rate when purchased separately, which includes a digital dashboard, email and SMS notifications, and automatic mail forwarding of legal documents.
  • Washington LLC Formation ($0 + $200 State Fee): The basic package is free of charge, you only have to pay the $180 (by mail) or $200 (online) filing fee due to the Washington Secretary of State.
Pros
  • Provides easy-to-use online dashboard
  • Free 1-year registered agent with LLC formation packages
  • Seamless order process
  • Guaranteed no hidden fees
Cons
  • Has a limited number of support options for registered agents
Sign Up To IncFile

4 - Rocket Lawyer

RocketLawyer with an office worker using a laptop in the background

Rocket Lawyer gives you access to top-notch LLC formation services in Washington. It is not only your own registered agent but also your assistant whenever you need any legal and business advice.

Established in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has already helped over 20 million business owners in different ways, including LLC formation and representation in Washington.

Besides their fantastic lineup of legal services, Rocket Lawyer is among the few companies that give a 7-day trial when you subscribe to their membership plan.

Furthermore, if you decide to cancel your membership within 60 days of purchase, you will receive a full refund.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services (starts at $149.95/year): Their basic package includes legal and tax compliance alerts, a physical registered office business address, and more.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $99 + $200 State Fee): When you sign up as a member, you will have access to professional legal assistance as well as business formation tools and services for $39.99 per month. Non-members, on the other hand, receive standard pricing for their LLC formation service and other features.
Pros
  • Has a free 7-day membership trial
  • Most experienced service company
  • Highly rated customer service
Cons
  • Must register as a member to access premium legal service features
  • Only registered members can have discounted services
Sign Up To Rocket Lawyer

5 - LegalZoom

Legalzoom logo with an office worker in the background

When you work with LegalZoom, you have the benefit of having a big company on your LLC's side as a statutory agent or registered agent in Washington.

Having been in the industry since 1999, LegalZoom provides one of the most highly reliable Washington registered agent services and has a reputation for following through on whatever promises they make.

This premium registered agent in Washington has assisted 3.5 million customers in various ways, including representation services. They also boast an overall rating of 4.52/5 out of 5,020 reviews on BBB.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($299/year): Includes basic WA registered agent features as well as premium features, such as data security, unlimited cloud storage, a compliance calendar, and solid identity theft protection.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $79 + $200 State Fee): Business formation services start at $79 plus the state fee. 
Pros
  • Strong brand power in the industry
  • Provides premium Washington registered agent service features
  • Has a high customer volume
Cons
  • Mediocre customer reviews
  • High prices compared to other registered agent companies
Sign Up To LegalZoom

6 - Harbor Compliance

Two businessmen talking while looking to a gadget

Established in 2012, this Washington registered agent has aided over 34,000 businesses with compliance solutions.

Harbor Compliance offers discounts for businesses that purchase multi-year subscriptions.

Plus, if you have plans to expand your LLC outside Washington, Harbor Compliance has a nationwide registered agent service that delivers superior security.

BBB also gave Harbor Compliance an A+ rating for its excellent service. As of writing, Harbor is ranked among the best registered agents in Washington.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($99/year): Covers same-day electronic delivery of paperwork in Washington, annual report notifications, and a physical street address in Washington where someone is ready to accept Service of Process (SOP) during normal business hours. Plus, free compliance guides and whitepapers.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $99 + $200 State Fee): Their basic formation package includes all necessary formation documents, a free year of registered agent service, and costs $399 plus state fees.
Pros
  • Bulk discounts are available for registered agent packages
  • Has phenomenal customer reviews on Google and BBB
  • Includes free registered agent on their formation package
Cons
  • Some of their business services are expensive
  • Their online portal system is not updated
Sign Up To Harbor Compliance

7 - Swyft Filings

Swyftfilings logo with two office people working in the background

Using Swyft Filings as your Washington registered agent will save you from dealing with the complications and inconveniences of paperwork.

While pricing is not the best point for their registered agent service, Swyft Filings has an incredible line of positive customer feedback, with an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($99 / 3 months): Charges a flat rate that already covers 24/7 online access to important mail and alert messages for important due dates and deadlines.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $49 + $200 State Fee): Offers three-level business formation packages with several add-on services that you can purchase at affordable prices.
Pros
  • Has a 100% money-back guarantee
  • Free order shipping
  • Responsive customer support
Cons
  • Registered Agent Service fee is expensive
  • Turnaround time is different from state to state.
Sign Up To Swyft Filings

8 - InCorp

Incorporating new files into the old ones

InCorp is best known for its registered agent online services and is the fourth-largest national registered agent service in America.

They also provide assistance with Washington business services such as corporation or LLC formation, business license service, and annual report reminders.

While it is not our best pick for the best registered agent in Washington, one of its unique features that we love is its Entity Management System app for iOS devices.

This app allows you to manage your business, pay fees, and access all of your stored business documents, including service of process, among other things.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services (Starts at $129/year): Legal notifications for important documents such as your annual report filing notices, SOP, and a physical address to receive these documents during regular business hours. Discounts for multi-year service orders.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $99 + $200 State Fee): Similar to their registered agent business, their formation prices start at $99 per year, and they provide discounts for multi-year service orders.
Pros
  • Has satisfied customer reviews on BBB
  • Has 250,000+ active clients nationwide
  • There are bilingual customer service reps available
Cons
  • Reported hidden fees and automatic charging of services
  • Shipping costs an additional charge.
Sign Up To InCorp

9 - SunDoc Filings

SunDoc logo with business people in the background

SunDoc Filings has got the affordability and confidence to represent your WA LLC.

It was originally established in Sacramento, but since then, the company has expanded to provide registered agent service and LLC formation services in all 50 states, including Washington.

Its Washington registered agent services include all the essential services you need from a professional registered agent.

SunDoc Filings has been in business since 1999, with over 100,000 entities formed. Currently, they have thousands of 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($159/year): Covers corporate tools, handling of business documents, mail forwarding, handling service of process documents, and 24/7 online access. If you buy the LLC formation from them, you will get $10 discount for the registered agent service.
  • Washington LLC Formation (starts at $79 + $200 State Fee): Their base package is $79 plus state fees, their key bundle is $99 plus state fees, and their premier bundle is $279 plus state fees.
Pros
  • Experienced in the industry and has over 100,000 filings
  • Has A+ professional rating on BBB
  • Skilled customer support team
Cons
  • A registered agent can only be purchased as a separate feature
  • Its registered agent service costs are relatively higher than other companies

10 - Washington Registered Agent

Three co-leagues reading a single article in a clipboard

Washington Registered Agent is a commercial registered agent that is an expert in everything about Washington business, from corporate filings, business licensing, municipality permits, and MBLs to entity taxes, annual reports, and business compliance.

They are also known for being business privacy experts, offering unique package alternatives to help keep your personal information out of public records.

So, if you own an LLC, don't want to be bothered by telemarketers, and are concerned about identity theft, Washington Registered Agent is the way to go.

Service Features:

  • Registered Agent Services ($59/year): Offers total compliance monitoring for a whole year, a free 60-day trial of a virtual phone number for your business, dependable annual license renewal reminders, fast and reliable business document forwarding, and an online account with digital document storage.
  • Washington LLC Formation ($359 + $200 State Fee): Their LLC formation package includes the incorporation service, and 1-year Registered agent service.
Pros
  • Has a fixed rate every year
  • No hidden fees
  • No per-piece mail charges
Cons
  • Very few customer reviews online
  • Has a complicated website

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Registered Agent Service in Washington?

A registered agent in Washington shaking hands with a client

The benefits of hiring a registered agent service in Washington include the following[1]:

1. Boosts Convenience

Working with a registered agent service can help you do that, as they will handle all the tedious paperwork in the representation of your LLC.

Most Washington registered agents also provide an online account for your LLC where you can securely store and access your official documents, like service of process, in one go.

2. Sets as a Long-Term Investment

If you are a multi-state LLC or plan to expand outside Washington, using a registered agent that offers services in multiple states can help you save additional expenses.

It is a long-term investment and keeps things streamlined with less risk of error because you will not have to juggle documentation from different registered agents.

3. Protects Your Privacy

A Washington registered agent service will provide the registered office address and have someone receive all legal documents during normal business hours. They protect your privacy by receiving lawsuits or service of process on your behalf [2].

Many Washington registered agents provide not only formation and representation services but also provide other legal services that may be useful in keeping LLCs on the right side of the law.

This is essential if they meet legal challenges or concerns within the company or with other business entities.

An individual or business entity designated as a registered agent will manage and keep track of your LLC's government, tax, and legal affairs.

So, while working as your registered agent reduces your initial company expenses in Washington, having a third party to manage all these SOPs will do wonders for you.

How Much Does a Washington Statutory Agent Service Cost?

A Washington statutory agent service costs around $50 to $300 per year. This will depend on the service features you need and which service company you will work with.

When you view the larger picture and consider the amount of time and energy you will save, paying for a professional registered agent service is definitely worth it.

But, if you're still skeptical about this, there are registered agents in Washington that can be your company’s registered agent for free in the first year.

FAQs

Does One Need a Registered Agent for an LLC?

Yes, one needs a Washington registered agent for an LLC. This is a requirement imposed by the Washington SOS on every business entity formed and registered with the state.

Can You Act as Your Registered Agent in Washington?

Yes, you can act as your registered agent in Washington if you meet all the state requirements for being a registered agent.

Can I Use a PO Box as My Registered Agent’s Office Address in Washington?

No, you can't use a PO box as your registered agent’s office address in Washington. Your registered agent’s address, which will receive all of your mail, must be a physical street address in Washington. Otherwise, the Washington SOS will reject your filing.

The Most Professional Registered Agent in Washington is...

Appointing the right registered agent service for your business is essential in creating your WA LLC. Aside from the fact that it is required by state law, it helps your LLC maintain good standing with the Secretary of State in Washington.

So, to help you achieve that, we recommend using Northwest Registered Agent for your LLC in Washington. As a customer-centered registered agent service, they scanned and emailed our corporate files as soon as they acquired them.

Northwest registered agent also offers all essential service features for starting your LLC, including data privacy, EIN registration, deadline tracker, and corporate guides to walk you through the entire formation process.

Overall, Northwest Registered Agent will deliver a service that goes above and beyond.

Our #1 Recommendation

Northwest Registered Agent Service

Northwest logo with an office person in the background
Support
5.0
Price
4.8
Turnaround
5.0
Overall
4.9
Pros
  • They value clients’ privacy
  • Outstanding customer support
  • More than two decades of experience in the industry
  • Guaranteed no hidden charges
  • Provides free registered agent with every LLC formation package
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of March
Cons
  • High priced in comparison to the competition

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *