As a Washington nonprofit corporation, your organization must file an Annual Report with the Washington Secretary of State to maintain good standing and keep your corporate information up to date.
What is an Annual Report?
The Annual Report is a required filing that provides the Washington Secretary of State with current details about your nonprofit. It confirms your:
✅ Legal name and UBI number
✅ Principal office address
✅ Registered agent and their address
✅ Officers and directors
Filing the report ensures that your nonprofit remains active and compliant with state laws.
When is the Annual Report Due?
- Your first Annual Report is due within 120 days of incorporation.
- After that, you must file every year by the end of your nonprofit’s incorporation anniversary month (the month in which your nonprofit was originally formed).
- The Secretary of State sends a reminder notice about 45 days before your due date.
How to File Your Washington Nonprofit’s Annual Report
There are two ways to file:
1. Online Filing (Recommended)
- Go to the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Filing System:
https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/ - Log in or search for your nonprofit using your UBI number.
- Follow the prompts to complete and submit the report.
- Pay the $10 filing fee via credit/debit card.
2. Mail-in Filing
- Download the Annual Report form from the Washington Secretary of State’s website.
- Fill out the required information.
- Mail it along with a $10 check to:
Secretary of State – Corporations Division
P.O. Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504-0234
- Processing by mail takes several weeks longer than online filing.
What Happens If You Don’t File?
- Late Filing: Your nonprofit will be marked “Delinquent.”
- Failure to File for 120+ Days: Your nonprofit will be administratively dissolved, meaning you lose legal status as a corporation in Washington. You can reinstate your nonprofit, but it requires extra paperwork and fees.
Ellis Carter is a nonprofit lawyer with Caritas Law Group, P.C. licensed to practice in Washington and Arizona. Ellis advises nonprofit and socially responsible businesses on federal tax and fundraising regulations nationwide. Ellis also advises donors concerning major gifts. To schedule a consultation with Ellis, call 602-456-0071 or email us through our contact form .