Washington Legal Costs (2026)
Complete breakdown of common legal fees in Washington — from forming a business to filing in court. All data sourced from official Washington government websites.
How Washington ranks vs all 50 states
Understanding legal costs in Washington before you file saves money and prevents surprises at the courthouse. Forming an LLC costs $180 in state filing fees , with a $70 annual report due each year after. If you need to sue someone in small claims court, you can recover up to $10,000 — and filing costs between $35 and $50. Divorce filing in Washington starts at $364, not counting attorney fees or service costs. All figures below are sourced directly from official Washington government and court websites and updated for 2026.
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LLC Formation Costs in Washington
Full detailsForming an LLC in Washington requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying the $180 state fee. After formation, Washington LLCs must file an annual report and pay $70 each year to stay in good standing. Your estimated first-year total including filing is $180+.
Washington state has a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts — separate from the LLC fees.
No state income tax — favorable for profitable pass-through LLCs.
Small Claims Court in Washington
Full detailsWashington's small claims court — the Small Claims Department — handles disputes up to $10,000 without requiring an attorney. Filing costs between $35 and $50 depending on the claim amount. You must file within the statute of limitations: 6 years for written contracts and 3 years for oral agreements. Send a demand letter before filing — it costs nothing and often resolves the dispute without a court date.
Washington has low filing fees and a reasonable $10,000 limit — one of the better states for claimants.
Divorce Filing Costs in Washington
Full detailsFiling for an uncontested divorce in Washington starts at $364 in court filing fees. Serving your spouse through the sheriff's office costs an additional $60. Washington requires divorcing parents to complete a parenting class before the divorce is finalized. These are court fees only — attorney costs, if applicable, are separate and vary widely by case complexity.
Washington's superior court civil filing fee rose to $200 plus mandatory state surcharges under RCW 36.18.020 (as amended 2025 c 357), pushing total dissolution filing costs to $364 as of the 2025-26 fee schedule — verified against King County Superior Court's current published fee schedule.
Notary Fees in Washington
Full detailsWashington caps notary fees by law. The maximum fee for an acknowledgment is $15 per signature. Jurat notarizations (sworn statements) cost up to $15. Remote online notarization (RON) is permitted in Washington and costs up to $25 per act. For documents requiring multiple signatures or notarial acts, fees multiply per signature — always confirm the total before your appointment.
$15 per act; $25 for RON. Travel fees allowed with guidelines.
Common Legal Cost Scenarios in Washington
Real-world combinations of legal fees you may face — based on official Washington filing costs.
How Washington Compares to Neighboring States
| State | LLC Filing | Divorce Fee | SC Limit | Notary Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington ◀ | $180 | $364 | $10,000 | $15 |
| Idaho | $100 | $207 | $15,000 | $5 |
| Oregon | $100 | $301 | $10,000 | $10 |
All fees from official state government sources. Compare all 50 states
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