Washington Charities Program Registration and Renewal
Washington at a glance
- Registration
- Required, unless an exemption applies. Secretary of State, Charities Program handles it. Source
- Filing
- Charity Renewal. Source
- Renewal
- Your renewal is due the last business day of the 11th month after your fiscal year end. Source
- Renewal fee
- $40. Source
- Late filing
- A late fee applies, in the words of the source. Source
- Exemptions
- 4 listed, each quoted. Source
Every deadline, fee and exemption quotes its source and links to it.
Overview
- Regulatory Agency
- Secretary of State, Charities Program
- Registration Required
- Yes
Track your Washington deadlines automatically
Your Washington renewal is due the last business day of the 11th month after your fiscal year end. CharityFile emails reminders before that date. Reminders need a paid plan or a live trial. Initial registration is due prior to conducting any solicitations.
Track My Washington Filings →Fee Schedule
| Applies to | Fee |
|---|---|
| All organizations | $40 |
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified May 2, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“(2) For an annual renewal of registration as a charitable organization, a fee of forty dollars. Ten dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund and the remaining thirty dollars must be deposited in the charitable organization education account under RCW 19.09.530”
Late filing fee
- Late fee source: “Any entity that fails to renew its registration by its renewal date shall pay the late fee identified in WAC 434-120-042 and an additional late fee for each year delinquent, including the current year it was not registered.” — app.leg.wa.gov
Annual filing
Your renewal is due the last business day of the 11th month after your fiscal year end
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified May 2, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“the last business day of the eleventh month after the close of the organization's accounting year”
Required Documents
Charity Renewal. Forms and instructions: Agency page
- IRS Form 990: not required
For the initial registration and the renewal
When: The Secretary of State does not ask for the federal tax document with the online registration.
Source: sos.wa.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“This section is used to upload additional documents as needed. Our office does not require a charity’s federal tax document.”
When: The Secretary of State does not ask for the federal tax document with the online renewal.
Source: sos.wa.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“This section is used to upload additional documents as needed. Our office does not require a charity’s federal tax document.”
- IRS determination letter
For the initial registration
When: Attach if the organization is exempt from federal income tax (RCW 19.09.075(1)(f)). The Charity Registration itself is the filing.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“Whether the organization is exempt from federal income tax; and if so the organization shall attach to its application a copy of the letter by which the internal revenue service granted such status”
- IRS determination letter (if not previously filed)
For the renewal
When: Attach only if not previously filed (WAC 434-120-140(2)(b)). The Charity Renewal is the filing, not an attachment.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“except that a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service need not be attached if it was previously filed.”
Exemptions
- Individual relief
Appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual named in the solicitation
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“Appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual named in the solicitation, but only if all of the proceeds of the solicitation are given to or expended for the direct benefit of that individual.”
- Political
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified May 4, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“any political organization”
- Religious
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified May 4, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“churches and their integrated auxiliaries”
- Small organization
The application requirements of RCW 19.09.075 do not apply to
Threshold: $50,000 (revenue)
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“The application requirements of RCW 19.09.075 do not apply to”
Enforcement in Washington
Penalties
The secretary may assess against any entity that violates this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation.
Source: RCW 19.09.275, 19.09.279 · verified September 23, 2026 (23 days ago) · send source
“The secretary may assess against any entity that violates this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation.”
Criminal grade
(1) Any entity who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter or who knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (2) Any entity who violates any provisions of this chapter or who gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
Source: RCW 19.09.275 · verified September 24, 2026 (22 days ago) · send source
“(1) Any entity who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter or who knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (2) Any entity who violates any provisions of this chapter or who gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington require charitable solicitation registration?
Yes. Washington requires charitable organizations, as its statute defines them, to register. The Secretary of State, Charities Program handles registration.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“All charitable organizations and commercial fund-raisers must register with the secretary prior to conducting any solicitations.”
How much does Washington charitable registration cost?
The initial registration fee is $60. The annual filing fee in Washington is $40.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · verified May 2, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“(1) For an application for registration as a charitable organization, a fee of sixty dollars. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund and the remaining forty dollars must be deposited in the charitable organization education account under RCW 19.09.530”
When is the Washington charitable registration filing deadline?
In Washington, your renewal is due the last business day of the 11th month after your fiscal year end. Initial registration is due prior to conducting any solicitations.
What documents are required for Washington charitable registration renewal?
The primary form is Charity Renewal. Forms and instructions: https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/nonprofits-charities/charitable-organizations
Are there any exemptions from Washington charitable registration?
Yes. This guide cites these Washington exemptions:
- Individual relief
- Political
- Religious
- Small organization
- Whether an exemption applies depends on your facts. Read the quoted source above.
Where do I file Washington charitable registration?
Filings go to the Secretary of State, Charities Program; the agency page names the current method.
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