Single-Member LLC

Washington (WA)

Operating Agreement

Washington Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement for Bank Accounts

Generate a Washington-compliant Operating Agreement formatted the way banks actually request it — with your LLC legal name, EIN, registered agent, and ownership details laid out for easy verification.

Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15

Bank-ready formatting

Print-ready PDF

Company Details

LLC Legal Name

Must match the exact name filed with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division.

EIN

Formation Date

Principal Office Address

Registered Agent

Registered Agent Name

Registered Agent Address

Must have a physical Washington street address (no P.O. boxes).

Sole Member / Owner

Member Full Name

Member Address

Initial Contribution

Printed Name for Signature

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Washington (WA)

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Operating Agreement

Single-Member Limited Liability Company — State of Washington

This Operating Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 5, 2026 by and between [Your LLC Name] (the “Company”), a single-member limited liability company organized under Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act), and [Your Name] (the “Sole Member”).

Company

[Your LLC Name]

Sole Member

[Your Name]

EIN

—

Formation Date

—

1. Formation

The Company was formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division on [date] under Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act).

2. Registered Agent

[Registered Agent Name], located at [Registered Agent Address], serves as the Company’s registered agent in Washington.

3. Management & Authority

The Sole Member manages the Company with full authority, including opening and maintaining bank accounts, entering contracts, and acting for the Company without further authorization.

4. Charging Order Protection

Under RCW 25.15.280, a charging order is the exclusive remedy for judgment creditors of a member. Washington case law (and the statutory structure similar to 11-2) provides protection for single-member LLCs, though creditors may seek foreclosure if the charging order does not satisfy the judgment within a reasonable time.

5. Washington Compliance

6. Tax Treatment

The Company is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes (Treasury Reg. § 301.7701-3); the Sole Member reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040.

7. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington, including Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act).

[Your Name] — Sole Member Signature

Date

Print Name: [Your Name]

Company Title: Sole Member / Manager

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Why Washington Banks Require an Operating Agreement

When you open a business checking account for a single-member LLC in Washington, banks like WaFd Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Banner Bank ask for your Operating Agreement for three key reasons: (1) to verify that your LLC’s legal name matches the name on your EIN letter from the IRS; (2) to confirm that you, as the sole member, have the authority to open accounts and sign for the company; and (3) to satisfy their Know Your Customer (KYC) and beneficial ownership documentation requirements under federal banking rules. Without an Operating Agreement, many branches will ask you to come back with one — or worse, open the account with missing documentation that delays transactions later.

Verifies

EIN & LLC legal name match

Confirms

Sole-member signing authority

Satisfies

KYC & beneficial ownership rules

How Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 Protects You

Washington single-member LLCs are governed by Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act). This statute gives your LLC a legal existence separate from you personally, which is the foundation of liability protection: business debts and lawsuits generally attach to the company, not to your personal assets.

An executed Operating Agreement strengthens that protection in two ways. First, it documents that you treat the LLC as a separate entity (separate finances, documented decisions, formal management structure) — which is exactly what courts look for when creditors try to “pierce the veil” and reach your personal assets. Second, it locks in the internal rules that govern the company under the statute, so there is never ambiguity about who owns or controls the business.

Washington Compliance Alert

These obligations are administered by the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division. The LLC formation filing fee is $200 (online) / $200 (paper). Failing to stay in good standing can jeopardize the liability protection your Operating Agreement helps document.

Washington Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement FAQs

Does Washington require a single-member LLC to have an Operating Agreement?

No state, including Washington, legally mandates a written Operating Agreement for internal validity — but banks, lenders, and courts treat your LLC as far more credible when you have one. Under Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act), an Operating Agreement governs the internal affairs of the LLC, and financial institutions like WaFd Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Banner Bank routinely ask for it when you open a business checking account so they can verify your EIN, ownership, and signing authority.

Do I need an Operating Agreement to open a business bank account in Washington?

Most banks in Washington, including WaFd Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Banner Bank, will ask for your Operating Agreement (or a Certification of Formation) as part of their business account onboarding process. They use it to confirm that the person opening the account is authorized to act for the LLC and to match the LLC's legal name to its EIN. While technically a single-member LLC without an Operating Agreement can still open accounts, having one avoids delays, confusion, and re-visits to the branch.

Does Washington protect my LLC assets from my personal creditors?

Yes, in most cases. Under RCW 25.15.280, a charging order is the exclusive remedy for judgment creditors of a member. Washington case law (and the statutory structure similar to 11-2) provides protection for single-member LLCs, though creditors may seek foreclosure if the charging order does not satisfy the judgment within a reasonable time. This means your personal judgment creditors generally cannot seize LLC assets directly or force a distribution — they are limited to distributions the LLC chooses to make. Note that this protection is strongest when the LLC is treated as a separate entity (separate bank account, documented records, and an executed Operating Agreement).

What are the annual requirements and fees for an LLC in Washington?

Annual renewal is due by January 1st each year in Washington, with a $71 fee, including a flat fee for the Combined Annual Report and License Renewal. A Washington registered agent is required. Washington also charges a one-time $5 Business Information Change Form filing fee. The state LLC filing fee is $200 (online) / $200 (paper), paid to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Keeping your LLC in good standing — filings current and registered agent up to date — is essential to preserving the liability protection the Washington Revised Code Chapter 25.15 (Washington Limited Liability Company Act) provides.