Renewals and annual filings in Seattle
What renews, and how often, once the business is open.
Washington business license (state tax registration)
Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing ServiceWA
File online in My DOR, or by mail. It gives the business its UBI number and tax registration, registers trade names and city and state endorsements, and passes your details to Employment Security and Labor and Industries, which open the unemployment insurance and workers' comp accounts.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.
- Renews
- Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
Food worker cards for staff
Washington State Department of Health, with local health departmentsWA
Everyone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils takes the state training and exam, online only at foodworkercard.wa.gov or through a local health department. A new worker may start before getting the card, for up to 14 days, if the employer gives food safety training.
- Fee
- $10
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- The first card is valid 2 years; renewals 3 years, or 5 with extra food safety training.
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years.
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Update every year.
Seattle business license tax certificate
City of Seattle Finance, License and Tax AdministrationSeattle
Apply online through FileLocal once the business has its Washington UBI number, or mail the paper application with payment. A physical business location is required; a P.O. box doesn't count.
- Fee
- $73
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online, the license can usually be printed 2 to 3 business days after payment; by mail it takes one to six weeks.
- Renews
- Every year; all certificates expire December 31.
Hazardous materials registration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal
Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year by June 30.
Food service business permit
Public Health, Seattle and King CountySeattle
Once plan review is approved, submit the application to operate in the Public Health Permit Center, pay the operating fee and book the pre-operational inspection at least a week before opening. Opening without that inspection can mean closure and a fee of half the yearly permit. Every employee needs a Washington food worker card.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Book the pre-operational inspection at least 1 week before opening.
- Renews
- Every year, through the Public Health Permit Center.
Guides for each business in Seattle
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Seattle
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders