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Steps to Establish a Corporation in Washington:
- Get the Articles of Incorporation form from the Washington Secretary of State online or offline.
- Click “Corporations” and "Download Forms" on the Secretary of State website.
- Choose your corporation type to find a downloadable articles of incorporation PDF.
- Mail your Articles of Incorporation and include a $50 fee labeled "EXPEDITE" to expedite filing.
- Appoint a registered agent residing in Washington state to receive legal notices.
- Your corporation name must be unique.
Starting a Nonprofit Corporation:
- To start a nonprofit corporation, file the Articles of Incorporation – Washington Nonprofit Corporation successfully.
- Individuals must prepare and file articles of incorporation to create corporations in Washington before beginning business activities.
- Once approved, your corporation’s legal entity is created.
Future Effective Date Option:
- Or you can declare a future effective date up to 90 days after filing.