Operating a Business in Washington State

Program Manager: Lucy Severs
Phone: (360) 902-1876 or Click here for more information

Contents

1. Business License
2. Limited Partnership or Corporation
3. Employer's Identification Number
4. Trademark and Service Mark Registration
5. Municipal and County Business Licenses
6. Washington Manufacturing Services
7. Small Business Development Centers
8. Waste Water Management
9. Department of Health

Business License

All businesses operating in Washington State are required to register the business with the State of Washington Business License Service. A trade name search is conducted within the State of Washington for the business name listed on the application form to assure no other business operates under the same business name. A nine-digit Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is assigned to the owner of each business that is registered with the Department of Licensing and serves as your tax registration number.

Contact:
State of Washington Business License Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
1-800-451-7985

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Limited Partnership or Corporation

To form a limited partnership, you will need to file a Limited Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. To form a corporation, file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

Contact:
Secretary of State, Corporations Division
P.O. Box 40234
505 East Union, Republic Building, 2nd Floor
Olympia, WA 98504-0234
(360) 753-7115

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Employer's Identification Number

Businesses that employ personnel need to obtain a federal identification number by filing Form SS-4 with the Internal Revenue Service. A federal identification number assigned to your business will also be registered with the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration and the Department of Labor.

Contact:
Internal Revenue Service: (800) 829-1040

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Trademark and Service Marks

You may protect your business trademark or service mark by registering with the U.S. Government Department of Commerce.

Contact:
United States Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
Phone: (800) 786-9199 or (703) 308-4357
Internet: United States Patent and Trademark Office Home Page

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Municipal and County Business Licenses

Contact your city hall or, if you are located outside city limits, your county courthouse, to determine if a local business license is required and to be sure your business location is properly zoned for your planned business activity.

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Washington Manufacturing Services

The Washington Manufacturing Services (WMS) is a nonprofit company dedicated to assisting Washington small manufacturers undertake projects to improve their competitiveness. WMS project managers offer seminars and also work directly with companies to determine their needs and then develop and manage projects that address those needs. WMS seeks to be Washington manufacturer's one-stop shop for answers and resources needed to achieve world-class competitiveness.

Contact:
Washington Management Services
8227 44th Ave SE, Ste D
Mukilteo, WA 98275
(425) 438-1146
Fax: (425) 438-2755
website: www.wamfg.org

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Washington Small Business Development Centers

The Washington Small Business Development Centers provide valuable counseling, training and research services to business owners or prospective owners, operating in a rapidly changing business environment:

• No-cost confidential counseling
• Affordable workshops & seminars
• Research, informed business decisions
• Valuable on-line business resources

Contact:
Washington Small Business Development Centers
website: www.wsbdc.org

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Waste Water Management

Depending on the amount and type of wastewater produced at your site, the waste water may be regulated by the county Department of Health, Washington State Department of Health, or the Washington State Department of Ecology. Contact your local county Department of Health office to determine the waste water regulator for your specific facility.

• Local County Health Departments

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State & Local Department of Health

• Your local County Health Department (District) licenses retail food establishments that sell their food products directly to the consumer, this also includes bakeries that sell less than 25% of their products through wholesale distribution. Contact your local County Health Department (District) in your county for further retail licensing information.
• The State Department of Health Division of Drinking Water or your County's Department of Health (depending on the size of the system) also monitor water systems to verify that the water you are using in your facility meets the potable water standards.
• Local County Health Departments
• State Department of Health Division of Drinking Water

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