Washington Foreign Qualification

Apr 18, 2025

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State in Washington is the process by which a business that is already registered in another state seeks permission to operate in Washington. This allows the business to legally conduct operations in Washington and ensures compliance with state regulations.

Follow the guide below to help you register with the Secretary of State in Washington or use Mosey to do it.

Use Mosey to register with the Secretary of State in Washington.

Washington Foreign Qualification for LLP, LLC, Corporation

As a foreign entity, you are required to register with the Washington Secretary of State if you are "doing business" in the State of Washington. In lieu of defining what considers as "doing business," the Secretary of State does provide a list of activities not constituting "doing business." Note: "Having an employee working in the state" and "Soliciting sales in Washington through employees or other representatives" meets the Department of Revenue's "physical presence nexus" standard, which qualifies as transacting business in Washington. After your registration is approved, you will receive a nine-digit Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number to be used in Business Registration, tax and payroll setup.

  1. Acquire a Certificate of Existence

    Washington requires you provide a Certificate of Existence (also known as a Certificate of Good Standing) from your home jurisdiction to successfully register in the state, issued no more than 60 days before the date of submission and must be included alongside your foreign registration statement.

  2. Establish a Registered Agent and Registered Office

    You must maintain a registered agent and office in Washington State. The registered agent may be an individual or a business though they must maintain a physical address at which the agent is available for the receipt of annual reports, notices, and service of process. The agent may provide a P.O. Box address in addition to a physical address for receiving notice.

  3. File Foreign Registration Statement

    Complete the foreign registration statement (Form RCW 23.95) online using Washington's Corporations and Charities Filing System. Your foreign registration statement will need to include information for your registered agent and office, as well as your Certificate of Existence from your home state.

What else do I need to know?

Once you are registered with the Secretary of State, you may have additional requirements to maintain your "good standing" in the state. Failing to do so can result in fines, back taxes, and forfeiting certain priveleges within the state.

Maintaining a Registered Agent

Most states require that you have a registered agent that can receive important mail from the Secretary of State should they need to contact you. There are many commercial options available or you can use Mosey to be your registered agent and keep your information private in Washington.

Annual Reports and Taxes

In addition to maintaining a registered agent, most states require you to file a report annually. Registration can also trigger state taxes such as a franchise tax or income tax. You can use Mosey to identify these additional requirements to maintain good standing in Washington.

Washington's Foreign Qualification Agencies

Review your compliance risks, free.

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

15 Crucial HR Policies for Your Employee Handbook

Creating an employee handbook with clear HR policies can save businesses a lot of grief in the long run. A handbook helps define company expectations, guides employees, and ensures compliance with legal standards. This is Mosey’s guide to the 15 crucial HR policies that should be included in your employee handbook. These policies help maintain a healthy work environment and protect your company and its employees. Are Employers Required To Have an Employee Handbook?

Gabrielle Sinacola | Nov 11, 2024

Franchise Tax Guide: Definition, FAQs, & More

When it comes to business taxes, it can be tricky to know what you should be doing and when you should be doing it. Today, we’re breaking down the basics of franchise tax, how it works, and why it’s so important for your business operations. What Is Franchise Tax? Franchise tax stands as a distinct obligation, differing fundamentally from income tax. States levy this tax on businesses for the privilege of operating, incorporating, or maintaining a legal entity within their jurisdiction.

Alex Kehayias | Jan 16, 2024

Understanding California’s Economic Tax Nexus Test

Tax nexus refers to a relationship between a business entity and a taxing jurisdiction. There are four main types: income tax nexus, sales and use tax nexus, franchise tax nexus, and excise tax nexus. If your business has one of these types of nexus in a state, you may need to pay the corresponding tax type there. Determining where you have each type of nexus is a critical—and complicated—compliance task.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Aug 1, 2023

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.