Period of Duration

When forming or incorporating a business in Washington State, a period of duration is selected:

• A perpetual duration (default option): the business continues indefinitely until it is voluntarily or administratively dissolved.
  OR
• A specified duration (a set date or number of years), after which the business will be administratively dissolved.

Administratively Dissolved due to Expired Period of Duration

A domestic business entity with an expired duration will be administratively dissolved, even if ownership has changed since formation or incorporation.

To return to active status, the business must first determine if they are eligible to reinstate.

*If the business is able to correct their duration within 5 years of the dissolution date, they may reinstate by following the steps below. After that, it must register as a new business.

After verification, take the following steps:

1. File a Business Amendment: Update the business’s period of duration to perpetual or a new specified term.
2. File a Reinstatement: Submit the reinstatement filing, which includes payment of any outstanding annual report fees.

Visit our Filing, Forms & Information page for information on these filings.

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