Short answer: Restricted words include banking, cooperative, trust, and insurance terms without specialized authorization.
We've pulled these figures from the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Washington naming rules
Restricted words include banking, cooperative, trust, and insurance terms without specialized authorization.
Open the official Washington name search
Reserving a name
Washington lets you reserve a name for $30, which holds it for Not specified.
Doing business under another name
Washington DBAs are filed with: state (Department of Revenue). Fee: UNCONFIRMED.
How Washington compares
Washington's name reservation fee is $30. That's the 13th highest of 50 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $25, so Washington runs $5 above it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $30 | 13 of 50 |
| Idaho | $20 | 33 of 50 |
| Oregon | $100 | 1 of 50 |
| Nevada | $25 | 18 of 50 |
| California | $10 | 41 of 50 |
| Montana | $10 | 41 of 50 |
Washington fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $200 | Filing by mail costs $180, while filing online costs $200 (includes an online processing fee). |
| Name reservation (optional) | $30 | Not specified |
| DBA / assumed name | UNCONFIRMED | state (Department of Revenue) |
Name search and rules: Washington questions
How do I check if an LLC name is available in Washington?
Use the official Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division business search. A name that's distinguishable from existing records can usually be registered.
What words must a Washington LLC name include?
Restricted words include banking, cooperative, trust, and insurance terms without specialized authorization.
Can I reserve an LLC name in Washington?
Yes. Reservation costs $30 and holds the name for Not specified.
Do I need a DBA in Washington?
Only if you'll do business under a name other than your exact LLC name. DBAs are filed with: state (Department of Revenue). Fee: UNCONFIRMED.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name reservation.duration, ra.change fee, foreign.fee, dba.fee, amendment fee, report.dissolution note.