Compliance

This page provides information on the essential items (e.g., licenses, documents) needed to operate a business in compliance with all City of Seattle, King County, Washington State Laws, and United States.

DISCLAIMER: This information fosues solely on the bare minimum compliance needed for a business to legally begin to operate in Seattle, WA. This information does not cover non-profit organizations at all.

Contains all licenses, permits, business entity formations, or other items necessary to operate a business in Seattle, Washington.

Please visit the Business Planning section for more information to help plan and manage business growth and success.

Contains licenses, permits, business entity formations, or other items necessary to operate a business in Seattle, Washington.

We break the information down into two categories.

Category One

Category Two

  • Secretary of State of Washington (Secretary of State Website): This is the division of the State (the place) where a business owner forms and registers their business with the State of Washington. At this level, the owner will select whether it will operate as a limited liability company, corporation, or non-profit corporation. If the owner elects to operate as a sole proprietor of a partnership, they will not register or file anything with the Secretary of State. Just about any other business should be registered with the State. Note, non-profit corporation applications cannot be filed online. Once the person applies for their business entity, their business will be formed and they will receive a 9-digit UBI number.

  • Call the Internal Revenue Service or go to the Internal Revenue Service IRS website to apply for an Employee Identification Number. This is done through a form SS-4. Once you receive this, an owner can pay federal taxes and make expenses.

  • DescriptionDepartment of Revenue License (DOR Website): The business owner will apply for their business license. By using the UBI number assigned by the Secretary of State when forming the business entity, new owners can use this number as well for the DOR. The DOR will simply add to it when the owner applies. Once complete, the State will issue a Business License. Owner must pay monthly taxes. Taxes must be paid online. WARNING: Use the business license wizard to determine what other licenses you may need for your specific business such as a barber’s license or plumber’s license. text goes here

  • (Other licenses and permits)

    Based upon the business, specific licenses may be needed for each business. For example, a barber will need a barber’s license issued by the State, food workers need health cards, etc. Use the business license wizard to determine what other licenses you may need. WARNING: the Business Licensing Wizard will determine what license you need. You can access it Here.

  • Go to the City where you operate your business to determine if you need a city business license. For example, all businesses in Seattle must have a Seattle Business License in addition to the State DOR business license. You can apply for this license at the City of Seattle website: Here. Apply for the license and this will complete the 16 digit UBI number. Owner pays monthly taxes online only.

  • Once you complete the above steps, one should probably investigate and secure liability insurance for the business at a minimum. This can be done through internet research or the phone book.

    You can now operate your business!

Category 1:

Category 1:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 6:

Step 5:

Step 4:

Secretary of State of Washington (Secretary of State Website): This is the division of the State (the place) where a business owner forms and registers their business with the State of Washington. At this level, the owner will select whether it will operate as a limited liability company, corporation, or non-profit corporation. If the owner elects to operate as a sole proprietor of a partnership, they will not register or file anything with the Secretary of State. Just about any other business should be registered with the State. Note, non-profit corporation applications cannot be filed online. Once the person applies for their business entity, their business will be formed and they will receive a 9-digit UBI number.

(Other licenses and permits)

Based upon the business, specific licenses may be needed for each business. For example, a barber will need a barber’s license issued by the State, food workers need health cards, etc. Use the business license wizard to determine what other licenses you may need. WARNING: the Business Licensing Wizard will determine what license you need. You can access it Here.

Go to the City where you operate your business to determine if you need a city business license. For example, all businesses in Seattle must have a Seattle Business License in addition to the State DOR business license. You can apply for this license at the City of Seattle website: Here. Apply for the license and this will complete the 16 digit UBI number. Owner pays monthly taxes online only.

Once you complete the above steps, one should probably investigate and secure liability insurance for the business at a minimum. This can be done through internet research or the phone book.


You can now operate your business!

Department of Revenue License (DOR Website): The business owner will apply for their business license. By using the UBI number assigned by the Secretary of State when forming the business entity, new owners can use this number as well for the DOR. The DOR will simply add to it when the owner applies. Once complete, the State will issue a Business License. Owner must pay monthly taxes. Taxes must be paid online. WARNING: Use the business license wizard to determine what other licenses you may need for your specific business such as a barber’s license or plumber’s license.

Call the Internal Revenue Service or go to the Internal Revenue Service IRS website to apply for an Employee Identification Number. This is done through a form SS-4. Once you receive this, an owner can pay federal taxes and make expenses.

Category 2:

  1. Trademarks with the USPTO. Trademarks literally permit a trademark owner to pull symbols or words out of the public domain of free speech in order to literally own the symbol, words, or mark. Once you register this with the USPTO and it is approved, no other person or business can use your trademark without your permission or you can sue for damages.

  2. Copyrights with the USPTO. Same as above, but copyright only applies to printed documents.

  3. Patents with the USPTO. Same as paragraph 1, but patents only apply to inventions.

  4. Website development

  5. SEO and social media