Washington Articles of Incorporation
Washington articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $180 by mail or in-person. $230 expedited by mail or in-person. $200 online. |
| Turnaround: | ~2 months by paper. ~2-3 business days expedited paper or online. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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Other Helpful Washington Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Washington.
Washington Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporations fix a different number. No less than one third.
Washington Officers
- As stated in the bylaws, but a minimum of one. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.
Washington Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Washington Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, unless directors are elected by written consent.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.
Washington Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
