Legal Costs in Seattle, WA (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Seattle — all sourced from official Washington state records.
Seattle is a city in King County, Washington. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Washington state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $200 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Department. Divorce filing fees in Washington start at $314. All figures on this page are verified from official Washington government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Seattle, WA
To form an LLC with a Seattle address, you file with the Washington Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $200. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $60.
0| State filing fee | $200 |
| Annual report fee | $60 |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in Seattle
Small claims cases in Seattle are heard at the Small Claims Department in King County. The maximum you can sue for is $10,000. Filing fees range from $31–$50 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Department |
| Filing location | King County |
| Maximum claim limit | $10,000 |
| Filing fee | $31–$50 |
| Written contract SOL | 6 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 3 years |
Where to File in Seattle
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
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Filing for Divorce in Seattle
Divorce petitions in Seattle are filed at the King County courthouse. The King County court divorce filing fee is $364. Sheriff service costs $60. Washington requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for King County. See full King County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | King County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $364 (King County) |
| Sheriff service fee | $60 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in Seattle, WA
Washington caps notary fees at $15 per notarial act ($25 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Seattle: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
Washington also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $25. Useful if you can't travel to a Seattle notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $15 |
| Jurat fee cap | $15 |
| RON (remote online) | $25 |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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