Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division
Please Note
We are a service company that can help you file with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.
Contact Information
Dolliver Building
801 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98501
Mailing address:
PO Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504-0234
Phone: 360-725-0377 or 800-332-GIVE (Washington only)
Web: Home Name search File online
Email: charities@sos.wa.gov
Licenses
We track the following licenses with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other Compliance Core™ data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.
Washington Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: | Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division |
Law: | Washington Revised Code Annotated § 19.09.010 et seq.; Washington Administrative Code § 434-120-100 - § 434-120-185 |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Law: | |
Notes: | Exempt organizations can elect to file an Optional Registration for Charitable Organization application with the secretary of state. |
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Charities that qualify for an exemption may, but are not required to, file an optional registration application. |
Required Attachments: |
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Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | No extensions are available for optional charitable registration due dates. |
Required Attachments: |
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Initial Registration
Instructions: | Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 + optional $100 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing. |
Turnaround: | 1 week |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Instructions: | Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 + optional $100 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing |
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $50. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Contract Filing
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary. |
Reinstatement
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $110 re-registration fee + $50 late fee for each year not registered |
Penalties: | Charities suspected of violating Washington Chapter 19.09 are subject to an investigation by the Attorney General who may:
The Secretary of State may assess civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Any violation of this chapter is considered a violation of the Consumer Protection Act and considered an unfair and deceptive act in trade and commerce and an unfair method of competition. Knowingly violating or giving false or incorrect information in any filings required by this chapter is a gross misdemeanor. Violating or giving false or incorrect information is a misdemeanor. |
Notes: | Charities who do not renew their registration on time will become delinquent and have one month to submit the late filing. Organizations that do not submit late filings during the delinquent period will become involuntarily closed and need to complete the re-registration process and pay the applicable fees (re-registration fee + late fee for each year not registered). Charities who have been involuntarily closed for beyond 6 years will need to submit a new registration and a new registration number will be issued. |
Required Attachments: |
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Change of Fiscal Year
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Turnaround: | 1-2 business days |
Cancelation
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: |
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Commercial Fundraiser is any entity that for compensation or other consideration directly or indirectly solicits or receives contributions for or on behalf of any charitable organization or charitable purpose, or that is engaged in the business of, or represents to persons as independently engaged in the business of, soliciting or receiving contribution for such purposes. A commercial coventurer, fundraising counsel or consultant is not a commercial fundraiser.
Washington Commercial Fundraiser Registration
Agency: | Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Before you Apply: |
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Registration Renewal
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $225 |
Due: | Annually by the end of the 11th month following the entity's fiscal year end. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Contract Filing
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary. |
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