Register a Foreign (Non-WA) Business

Please follow each step below, in order, to confirm you have reviewed all steps before registering with our office.

Step 1: Determine your registration requirements with the Secretary of State

The following information applies to only "foreign" (Non-WA) businesses.

The Secretary of State cannot evaluate whether a business qualifies as "doing business" in our State. We encourage customers to seek legal advice to answer this question because answering this question involves several topics, such as business liability, personal liability, business licensing, taxation, insurance, and others.

The law does specify activities not constituting doing business in RCW 23.95.520.

The Employee Security Department does have requirements and information for businesses that have employees in Washington on their website. Visit the ESD website for more information.

Find advisors for legal, tax, and business. SCORE is a mentorship program that hosts workshops and has resources available to businesses. Visit the SCORE website for more information.

Step 2: Obtain a Certificate from your "home jurisdiction"

A business registered in another home jurisdiction, or somewhere outside the State of Washington, including in another U.S. state, territory, or on tribal land.

Required Document: Foreign Registrations require a Certificate of Existence/Good Standing or document of similar import from the home jurisdiction issued no more than 60 days before the date of submission must be attached to this filing. Failure to do so will result in the Foreign Registration Statement being returned for correction. Contact your Secretary of State or your keeper of corporate records for instructions on obtaining this document. Visit our Online Certificate of Existence Resource page for links and contact information for other "home jurisdictions" or States.

Step 3: Register your Foreign (Non-WA) Business with the Secretary of State

If you have completed the steps above and are ready to register, select your business entity type below.

• Limited Liability Company (LLC)

• Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)

• Profit Corporation

• Profit Professional Service Corporation

• Nonprofit (NP) Corporation

• Nonprofit Professional Service Corporation

• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

• Limited Partnership (LP) or Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP)

Steps after OSOS Registration

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