Washington Business License Lookup: Records & Verification

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WASHINGTON STATE | DOR | UBI | BUSINESS RECORDS

Washington Business License Lookup: Verify the Right Records

Need to verify a Washington business before hiring, paying, purchasing or signing a contract? The correct search depends on whether you need a general business license, LLC registration, city endorsement, reseller permit or specialized credential.

This guide explains which official database to use, how to match a nine-digit Unified Business Identifier (UBI), what business status means, and when additional license checks are necessary.

Open Official Business Lookup View Lookup Steps

Quick Answer: How to Verify a Washington Business License

Use the Washington Department of Revenue Business Lookup. Select General Business License, search using the business name, trade name, UBI or another supported identifier, and review the matching public record.

If you need to confirm an LLC or corporation, search the Washington Secretary of State Corporations and Charities Filing System. For construction contractors, use Washington Labor & Industries Verify.

General business

Department of Revenue

Check general business licensing information, business names, registered locations and relevant endorsements.

Legal entity

Secretary of State

Verify LLCs, corporations, registration status, expiration dates and publicly available filings.

Specialized activities

Regulatory Agencies

Confirm contractor registration, professional licenses and other required credentials.

Which Washington Business Record Do You Need?

Washington business verification involves several databases. Choose the record based on what you need to confirm rather than assuming every agency reports the same licensing information.

Washington business record types and responsible agencies
Record Needed Official Source What It Verifies
General business license Department of Revenue General business licensing information, business names, locations and available endorsements.
Tax account DOR Business Lookup Public registered tax account information. The tax account name may differ from the trade name.
Reseller permit DOR Business Lookup Reseller permit holder, status and effective dates.
LLC or corporation Secretary of State CCFS Entity type, current registration status, expiration and filing history.
Construction contractor Labor & Industries Contractor registration, bond, insurance and other available regulatory information.
City business license DOR Business Licensing Service or City Government Required municipal business endorsements and location-specific authorization.
Professional license Responsible Occupational Regulator Profession-specific credentials, status and relevant regulatory information.

For example, a construction company may have a current Department of Revenue business record but still need an active contractor registration and additional electrical or plumbing credentials for certain work.

How to Use the Washington State Business License Lookup

Follow these steps to verify a business using public Washington Department of Revenue records.

  1. Gather the Business Name or UBI

    Start with the legal business name or nine-digit UBI. If available, also note the trade name, physical location and any license or permit number shown on the business’s paperwork.

  2. Open the Official DOR Business Lookup

    Visit the official Washington DOR lookup. Public record searching is different from logging into My DOR to manage a business account.

  3. Select the Correct Search Category

    Choose General Business License, Tax Account or Reseller Permit according to the record you need. A missing result in one category does not necessarily mean that no record exists in another.

  4. Enter the Search Information

    Search using the name, UBI or other fields offered by the selected interface. Check spelling, abbreviations and possible trade-name variations if the first search does not identify the business.

  5. Open the Matching Business Record

    Compare the business name, UBI, location and available licensing details. Do not assume that a similarly named company is the business you intended to check.

  6. Verify Additional Authorization

    When applicable, check Secretary of State records, city business endorsements, contractor registration or professional credentials through the relevant authority.

  7. Record the Verification Details

    Save the official source, matched UBI, legal or trade name, relevant status, date checked and any issue requiring further confirmation.

Washington UBI Number Lookup: What Is a UBI?

A Unified Business Identifier (UBI) is a nine-digit number assigned to a Washington business. The number is used in state business licensing, taxation and other government records.

A UBI is different from a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is used for federal tax identification, while the UBI identifies a business within Washington’s state systems.

UBI Number

Helps match a Washington business across official government systems and distinguish businesses with similar names.

Trade Name

A business can operate under a name different from its legal entity name. The trade name and tax account name may not match exactly.

Business License

Relates to registration and required endorsements. Having a UBI does not establish that every required operating permission is current.

Where Can You Find a Washington UBI?

  • On a Washington business license or official Department of Revenue correspondence.
  • In public business records where the UBI is displayed.
  • In Secretary of State entity records for registered LLCs and corporations.
  • In My DOR if you are authorized to access the business account.

How to Verify a Washington LLC or Corporation

The Washington Secretary of State maintains business entity records through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).

Use CCFS when you need to verify an LLC, corporation or another registered entity’s legal standing, registration details or filing history.

  1. Open the Secretary of State Search

    Visit Washington CCFS and locate Corporation Search. Public business entity information can be viewed without creating a filing account.

  2. Search by Business Name or UBI

    Enter the company’s registered name or UBI number. If necessary, use Advanced Search to narrow the results.

  3. Open the Correct Entity Record

    Check the registered business name, entity type, current status and expiration date. Compare these details with the information provided by the company.

  4. Review Filing History

    Open Filing History to review available reports, notices and filed documents. Publicly printable copies are not necessarily certified copies.

  5. Check DOR Licensing Separately

    Confirm that the business has any general, local or specialized authorization required for its actual activities.

Search LLCs and Corporations Secretary of State Guidance

Understanding Washington Business License Status

Business status must be interpreted according to the specific database. A business may appear active with the Secretary of State while a particular license or endorsement requires additional attention.

How to interpret Washington business verification results
Record Status Meaning Next Step
Active DOR record The selected business account or license record is reported active. Check applicable endorsements and additional industry requirements.
Closed DOR account The particular business account is reported closed. Check the account dates and whether a different current account exists.
Active LLC or corporation The entity currently has active Secretary of State filing status. Verify DOR licensing and industry-specific authorization separately.
Expired or delinquent entity The entity may have an outstanding filing or maintenance issue. Review the filing history and Secretary of State instructions.
Active reseller permit The relevant permit is valid according to the public status and dates displayed. Match the permit holder and confirm its use is appropriate for the purchase.
No matching record The selected search did not find a record using the supplied information. Try another identifier, account category or government database.

Recent changes may also take time to appear. When an entity filing has been submitted but is still awaiting staff review, consult the Secretary of State filing history before treating it as completed.

Washington City Business Licenses and Endorsements

Washington businesses may require city authorization in addition to state registration. The requirements depend on the business location, activities, applicable exemptions and the municipalities where business is conducted.

Many municipalities participate in the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service. Others may administer their business licenses separately.

Business Located Within a City

Check city business licensing, applicable fees and any requirements related to the premises or business activity.

Business Working in Another City

A nonresident endorsement may be required for a business based outside the city that performs work within city limits.

Specialized Business Activity

Additional regulatory approval may apply to construction, health-related services, certain premises or regulated trades.

How to Check a Washington City Endorsement

  1. Identify the business’s actual physical location.
  2. Determine every city where the business will conduct work.
  3. Open the DOR City Endorsements directory.
  4. Select the relevant city and review its requirements, exemptions and fees.
  5. Confirm whether the endorsement is managed through DOR or the local government.
  6. Check that the business has the required authorization before relying on its license.

Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue and other Washington cities can have different business licensing rules. A license issued for one city should not automatically be treated as valid throughout the state.

Washington Business License Fees and Processing Costs

The public business record lookup is different from submitting a business license application. The Department of Revenue charges application and renewal processing fees, while relevant endorsements may require additional payments.

Washington Department of Revenue business license processing fees
Application or Renewal Action DOR Processing Fee Additional Information
Open or reopen a business $50 Applicable endorsement and trade-name fees may be additional.
Add a business location to an existing UBI $0 Additional endorsement fees may still apply.
Add a city nonresident endorsement to an existing location $0 The municipality may charge its own fee.
Other application purposes $10 Examples include certain updates, trade-name registrations or added endorsements.
Annual location renewal $5 Applicable endorsement renewal fees are separate.
Late renewal Applicable renewal charges The late penalty may equal half the endorsement fee, up to $150.

See the official Washington DOR business license processing fee schedule.

Who Needs a Washington State Business License?

Washington Department of Revenue guidance identifies several circumstances that can require business registration. A business generally needs to apply if it meets an applicable condition such as:

  • It needs city, county or state licensing endorsements.
  • It operates under a business name different from the owner’s full legal name.
  • It plans to hire employees within the next 90 days.
  • It sells taxable products or services requiring retail sales tax collection.
  • Its annual gross income reaches the state’s registration threshold.
  • It is required to pay taxes or fees to the Department of Revenue.
  • It buys or processes specialty wood products.
  • Other Washington tax or registration requirements apply to its business activity.

LLCs and corporations generally need to complete their legal entity registration with the Secretary of State before completing the DOR Business License Application.

Information to Prepare for a Business License Application

Business and Ownership Details

  • Legal business name and trade names.
  • Ownership structure.
  • Owner and governing-person information.
  • Existing UBI, if applicable.
  • Federal EIN where required.

Operational Details

  • Physical business location.
  • Mailing address.
  • Business activities and industry description.
  • Employee hiring details.
  • Relevant city and state endorsements.
  • Additional information requested for regulated activities.

How Long Does a Washington Business License Application Take?

Processing times vary according to the application and whether other agencies must review endorsements. A straightforward DOR application may be processed sooner than an application requiring additional municipal or state approval.

Allow extra time for city or state endorsements and for applications requiring manual review. Check current processing guidance before committing to a business opening date.

Official Business License Application

How to Renew or Update a Washington Business License

Most Washington city and state endorsements require annual renewal. Business owners should check their actual expiration dates instead of assuming all authorizations expire on the same day.

  1. Sign In to My DOR

    Access My DOR using SecureAccess Washington credentials. Complete multifactor authentication if requested.

  2. Open the Business Licensing Account

    Choose the appropriate business and select the renewal action in the Business License panel or Action Items area.

  3. Review Business Information

    Confirm business details, contact information and any required updates.

  4. Review Endorsements

    Check the endorsements due for renewal and provide any information requested for the relevant cities or agencies.

  5. Submit Payment

    Review the processing and endorsement charges, submit the renewal and retain the confirmation.

  6. Access the Updated Business License

    After processing, use My DOR to obtain an updated copy of the license when available.

Official Renewal Instructions Sign In to My DOR

Business License vs. Contractor Registration, Reseller Permit and Professional Credentials

A general Washington business record does not replace the credentials required for regulated work. The correct additional check depends on the service being provided.

Construction Contractors

Use Labor & Industries Verify to check contractor registration and available bond, insurance and regulatory information.

Open L&I Verify

Reseller Permits

Use the DOR Reseller Permit lookup category. Check the actual permit status and dates instead of relying only on a UBI or general business license.

Verify a Reseller Permit

Professional Licenses

Healthcare, real estate and other regulated fields may require independent verification through their responsible licensing authorities.

Washington Department of Licensing

Washington Business License Lookup Not Finding a Record?

A missing search result does not automatically prove that a business is unregistered. Check for naming differences, incorrect search categories and records held by another government agency.

Common Washington business lookup problems and solutions
Problem Possible Reason What to Do
No match for business name The trade name and registered legal name differ. Try the UBI, exact legal name or alternate trade name.
Tax account search is empty The relevant information may be in the general business license category. Select General Business License in DOR Business Lookup.
LLC appears in CCFS but not DOR Entity registration and business licensing are separate. Match the UBI and contact DOR if the licensing position remains unclear.
Several similar business names Multiple companies may have similar legal or trade names. Compare UBI, physical location and legal identity.
Older company not found Historical record coverage may be limited in the current system. Check Secretary of State historical records or Washington Digital Archives.
My DOR account is inaccessible SecureAccess Washington or account authorization issue. Use the official My DOR account-access and support process.

Washington Business Licensing Assistance

For questions about general business licensing, applications and renewals, contact Washington’s Business Licensing Service at 360-705-6705.

For LLC and corporation filing issues, contact the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division rather than assuming the Department of Revenue can correct entity filings.

Business Verification Checklist: Before Hiring, Buying or Signing

Before relying on a business’s licensing claims, gather information from the agency that regulates the actual activity.

Information Worth Recording

  • Legal business name.
  • Trade name, if different.
  • Nine-digit UBI.
  • Current DOR business record information.
  • Secretary of State entity status when applicable.
  • Relevant city endorsements.
  • Required trade or professional credentials.
  • Official source and date checked.
  • Any unresolved discrepancies.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating a UBI as proof of professional licensing.
  • Assuming an active LLC can perform every regulated activity.
  • Confusing a reseller permit with a general license.
  • Ignoring nonresident city endorsements.
  • Accepting a similar business name without checking identifiers.
  • Relying on an old screenshot instead of current public records.
  • Paying unofficial or suspicious renewal notices.

When a business’s record, invoice and contract show inconsistent identifying information, ask for clarification before making a significant payment or relying on the registration.

Washington Business License Lookup: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I look up a Washington state business license?

Open the Washington Department of Revenue Business Lookup, select General Business License and search using the available business name, UBI or another supported identifier. Open the matching result and review its public record information.

2. Is the Washington business license lookup free?

The ordinary public DOR business record search is available without paying a business license application fee. Fees apply separately when businesses submit applications, add endorsements or renew licenses.

3. Can I search a Washington business using a UBI number?

Yes. A UBI is Washington’s nine-digit Unified Business Identifier. It can help match public business information across DOR and Secretary of State records.

4. How do I verify a Washington LLC or corporation?

Use the Secretary of State Corporations and Charities Filing System. Search by legal business name or UBI and inspect the entity’s current status, expiration date and public filing history. Check DOR separately for business licensing.

5. Does an active Washington LLC automatically have a business license?

No. An active Secretary of State entity record confirms filing status, not every license needed to operate. State business licensing, city endorsements and specialist credentials may require separate verification.

6. How do I verify a Washington reseller permit?

In DOR Business Lookup, choose the Reseller Permit search category. Check the holder’s business name, current permit status and effective or expiration dates.

7. Does a Washington business need a separate city license?

Possibly. Requirements depend on the municipality, business location, activities and exemptions. Check DOR’s City Endorsements directory or contact the city directly for its licensing rules.

8. How much does a Washington business license cost?

DOR lists a $50 processing fee for opening or reopening a business, $10 for many other application purposes and a $5 annual location renewal processing fee. Applicable endorsements and trade names may add charges.

9. How do I renew a Washington business license?

Sign in to My DOR using SecureAccess Washington, select the business licensing renewal action, review required information and endorsements, and submit applicable fees. Most state and city endorsements require annual renewal.

10. Why can’t I find a Washington business in the lookup?

The business may use a different trade name, the wrong search category may have been selected, or the record may be outside the available system. Try the UBI, a different name variation, the Secretary of State search or the responsible specialist agency.

Verify the Business Before You Rely on Its License

For a Washington business license lookup, begin with the Department of Revenue, match the UBI and business identity, then check Secretary of State filings, city endorsements and industry-specific credentials when applicable.

The most useful verification is the one that confirms the actual authorization required for the business activity you are considering.

Verify Business License Verify LLC or Corporation Check Contractor

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