‹ Washington Filing Guide
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How to Change Your Registered Agent in Washington
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Statement of Change/Designation of Agent (Non-Commercial Registered Agent), rev. 6.2025
- Filing fee
- Free
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- A few days for online filings; up to a month for mail; expedite $100 (about three working days) or same-day $150 at the counter
- Filing agency
- Washington SOS ↗
Note: Washington charges no fee to change the registered agent, whatever the method. File online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) at ccfs.sos.wa.gov, by mail, or in person. The form is the Statement of Change/Designation of Agent, non-commercial version, under RCW 23.95.415; the new agent must sign a consent statement, and copies and digital signatures are accepted. You can also update the agent for free when filing the annual report, which costs $70, or $95 once delinquent. Expedite is $100 and takes about three working days; if you expedite by mail you must label the envelope "EXPEDITE". Same-day service is $150 and is a front-counter product. Mail to the Corporations and Charities Division, PO Box 40234, Olympia WA 98504-0234. THE COUNTER IS ELSEWHERE: Town Center 3, 243 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater WA 98501. Make cheques payable to "Secretary of State".
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in Washington
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Choose your new registered agent first.
Do not file the change form until you have a new agent lined up. The new agent has to consent to the appointment, and most states will not process the change without that consent in hand. If you let coverage lapse, the Washington SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
Two ways to go. Name yourself or someone you know. Nothing to pay beyond the state filing fee above, but your address goes in the public record and somebody has to be there during business hours to accept legal mail.
Or use a service at $125/year. That keeps your address private and prepares the change form for you. If you are here because your current agent resigned, missed a delivery, or raised its price, this is usually the reason. See what Northwest charges, or compare what the major agents cost first.
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Get the Statement of Change/Designation of Agent (Non-Commercial Registered Agent), rev. 6.2025. Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the Washington Secretary of State portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
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Pay the Free filing fee.
Washington does not charge a state filing fee for this change. The only cost is what you pay your new registered agent.
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Notify your old agent.
Once the change is processed, your old agent's responsibility ends. If you are paying them an annual fee, cancel that subscription so it does not auto-renew. Most agents do not refund the unused portion, so time the cancellation against your renewal date.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the Washington SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Check back after the processing window shown above.
Important to know about Washington
- Filing is free directly with the state - no fee online or by mail. Some third-party sources incorrectly cite a $20 online fee; the official Washington SOS form confirms zero filing fee.
- Mail filings can take a month to process. Online filings through CCFS process within a few days at no extra cost.
- From January 20, 2026 Washington rejects filings without an email address, but the rejection list is specific: originations, annual reports, initial reports and amended annual reports. An agent change is not on that list. The form still carries a required email field, so supply one either way.
- You can also update the registered agent for free when filing your annual report (annual report fee is $70 for LLCs).
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will prepare and file the Statement of Change/Designation of Agent (Non-Commercial Registered Agent), rev. 6.2025 for you when you sign up. The state filing fee is yours to pay. The change is usually filed the same business day.
Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
$125/year · All 50 states · Privacy included
Harbor Compliance
$99 first year, then $149/year · Full-service compliance option
Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Report filing included, state fees extra
Choosing a replacement agent? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review compare pricing, renewals, and service before you file.
This page provides general information based on publicly available Washington Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Washington SOS before filing.