FAQ - Registered Agent
What is a Registered Agent?
RCW 23.95.105(35) "Registered agent" means an agent of an entity which is authorized to receive service of any process (such as legal Summons and Complaints), notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the business entity. The term includes a commercial registered agent and a non-commercial registered agent.
Do I need a Registered Agent?
RCW 23.95.405: Entities required to designate and maintain registered agent. (wa.gov)
The following shall designate and maintain a registered agent in this state:
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A domestic entity; and
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A registered foreign entity.
Who can be Registered Agent?
Anyone who consents to receive all legal mail and accept Service of process on behalf of the entity/business.
What are the different types of Registered Agent?
RCW 23.95 Article 4 creates two types of Registered Agent, the Commercial Registered Agent, and the Non-Commercial Registered Agent.
Scroll to your registered agent type for more information with links to forms and filings available.
| Non-Commercial Registered Agent |
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Any person or business with an address in Washington who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of the entity/business. Businesses can appoint a position or office title to perform the service of the registered agent no matter who holds the position; the person holding the designated position at the time of the filing must sign the Registered Agent Consent Statement.
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| Commercial Registered Agent (CRA) |
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A person or a business may be listed as a commercial registered agent by filing a Commercial Listing Statement with the agent’s name, physical address located in Washington State, and an email address. Changes can be made to the Commercial Registered Agent information for all represented businesses by filing a Statement of Change by Commercial Registered Agent. Once registered, Commercial Registered Agents are added to a public list which is made available on the Corporations and Filing System (CCFS) login page. Businesses filing with the Secretary of State can hire Commercial Registered Agents to provide registered agent services.
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What is the Registered Office?
The office address where the Registered Agent must be located during business hours. This must be a physical address in Washington State. A mailing address in Washington State can be provided as well but is not required.
Does the Registered Agent address have to be in Washington State?
Yes, a registered agent is required to have a physical address (not a PO BOX) in the State so legal process can take place. The agent may also provide a PO Box address in addition to a physical address for receiving notice.
How do I resign as Registered Agent?
In order to resign as the Registered Agent you must file with the Secretary of State's office the Statement of Resignation and follow the procedures under RCW 23.95.445. You may also file online using the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).
Why am I still showing as the Registered Agent? I resigned!
Both the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) and our forms record the true effective date of the resignation. Please review the business’s filing history to verify the effective date of the resignation and the current date, or if another filing was filed. The Statement of Resignation will become effective 31 days from the filed/effective date. If the resignation has not taken effect more than 31 days after the Statement of Resignation’s filed or effective date, please contact our office for assistance.
Why am I showing as the Registered Agent? I never agreed or signed consent!
RCW 23.95.415(2)
In the event any individual or entity has been appointed registered agent without consent, that individual or entity may deliver to the Secretary of State a notarized statement attesting to that fact, and the name shall immediately be removed from the records of the Secretary of State.
How do I change or update our Registered Agent?
To change the registered agent, for a business registered with the Washington Secretary of State, you can file a Designation of Agent / Statement of Change online. This service is free of charge. You may also update your Registered Agent information when you file the Annual Report. If it is too early to file the Annual Report (beyond 180 days of your expiration date) and you need to update other information (in addition to the Registered Agent), such as Governors, Principal Office, Nature of Business, etc. you can file an Amended Annual Report online.
Registered Agent Filings & Forms
Non-Commercial Registered Agent Filings & Forms
The below filings are utilized to appoint, record changes to, or resign as a registered agent for a specific business.
*Registered Agents must have a physical address in Washington State.
Statement of Change/Designation of Registered Agent
A Statement of Change/Designation of Agent may be used to change the registered agent for a business entity or to update the current registered agent’s contact information.
| Can this be filed Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-in Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Not Available | Form | $0 |
Resignation of Registered Agent
A Statement of Resignation may be used by a currently recorded registered agent to resign from serving as the registered agent for a business entity. Please note, the resigning agent is required to send notice of their resignation to the business entity.
| Can this be filed Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-in Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Not Available | Form | $0 |
Commercial Registered Agent Filing & Forms
To register a business or individual as a Commercial Registered Agent (CRA), or to record changes to a registered CRA, or to terminate a CRA registration.
View our current List of Commercial Registered Agents
Commercial Registered Agent Listing Statement
A commercial listing statement may be used by a business or an individual to register with this office as a commercial registered agent. A commercial registered agent is in business to receive legal documents, notices, or demands on behalf of one or more businesses.
Upon completion of this submission the contact information of the commercial registered agent will be placed on record with the Secretary of State. If represented business entities are provided, the commercial registered agent will be reflected as the registered agent for those businesses.
| Can this be filed Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-in Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Not Available | Form | $10 |
Statement of Change by Commercial Registered Agent
A Commercial Statement of Change may be used to update the contact information for a commercial registered agent.
Upon completion the registered agent information for all represented business entities will be updated and a Commercial Statement of Change will be added to each business entity’s filing history.
| Can this be filed Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-in Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Not Available | Form | $0 |
Commercial Registered Agent Termination Statement
A Commercial Termination Statement may be used to terminate the registration of a recorded commercial registered agent and resign as the registered agent for all represented business entities.
Upon completion, a Commercial Termination Statement will be added to the filing history of each represented business entity. After 31 days, the commercial registered agent will be removed from each represented business entity. Please note, the resigning agent is required to send notice of their resignation to all represented business entities.
| Can this be filed Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-in Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Not Available | Form | $0 |