Washington Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose

Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers

What are Washington Articles of Incorporation?

In Washington, articles of incorporation is a legal document that must be filed with the Washington Secretary of State to start a corporation. A corporation’s articles need to include certain company information lke:

Articles of Organization are typically approved as long as they contain accurate information, adhere to the state guidelines, and the appropriate filing fee is paid.

How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Washington?

To find a downloadable articles of incorporation form for Washington corporations, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Washington Secretary of State website.
  2. At the top of the page, click “Corporations”.
  3. Under “Business Entities” click “Download Forms”.
  4. Choose the type of corporation you are establishing. For most new businesses, this will be a Domestic Profit Corporation.

Here, you will find a downloadable articles of incorporation PDF along with other forms you may need to run a corporation in Washington.

Does Washington Require Articles of Incorporation?

Yes. Washington requires all businesses that wish to incorporate to file articles of incorporation. Washington state also requires a filing fee of $180.

How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in Washington?

Articles of incorporation in Washington can be filled out using the form provided, or online through the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System. To use the online system, you will need to create a user account. The benefit of using the online filing system is you can pay the filing fee directly with a credit card, monitor the status of your application, and make changes if there are mistakes.

Before filing your articles of incorporation, it is always recommended that you consult with a business attorney. A lawyer will ensure that your articles include all necessary business information and follow state laws governing corporations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


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Articles of Incorporation

Florida

Asked on Mar 28, 2021

When do I need articles of incorporation?

I want to start an LLC in Florida and have read about articles of incorporation. I want to understand what they are used for.

Jane C.

Answered Mar 29, 2021

You need articles of incorporation when you start a business, open a business bank account, and apply for a tax identification number. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

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Articles of Incorporation

Florida

Asked on May 12, 2022

new business startup

we are located in florida but were told delaware is a good satte to incorporaet the business

Bruce B.

Answered May 27, 2022

Yes. Many businesses choose to incorporate in Delaware because Delaware has favorable laws to business entities as well as a detailed history of how cases will by decided by their courts. For this reason Delaware is a good option to consider for incorporation. You can then register with the State of Florida as a foreign corporation doing business in Florida.

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Asked on Jun 26, 2022

What is the incorporation’s fee in New York?

I am a U.S. citizen, can I form a corporation with a Bangladesh national?

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The Statutory fee for a domestic business corporation in the state of NY is currently $125. Any information provided as an answer to these questions does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the attorney and anyone in relation to any information provided under the Q & A section of this website.

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Asked on Dec 23, 2024

Can you provide me with information on the role and responsibilities of a registered agent in a business entity?

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If a company registers to do business in a state where it does not have a physical presence, it must designate a registered agent in that state to accept legal documents. This ensures compliance with state laws and provides a reliable way to receive official communications. A company can appoint itself as its registered agent to receive legal documents if it has a physical address in that state. In that situation, there would be no need to have a separate registered agent. Some business owners who work from home opt for a registered agent service, which can help protect privacy by keeping the individual's home address off public records. Feel free to reach out if you want a consultation or other legal services.

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Does an LLC need articles of incorporation?

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LLCs are not technically "companies" or "corporations" and therefore they are not formed by filing Articles of Incorporation. Corporations are formed when you file Articles of Incorporation. LLS are formed by an "Organizer" who files a Form of Organization or Articles of Organization with a state. LLCs actually are "hybrids" with characteristic of companies in some ways and of partnerships in other ways.

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