Each domestic corporation and foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state shall have and continuously maintain in this state:

     (1) A registered office which may be, but need not be, the same as its principal office. The registered office shall be at a specific geographic location in this state, and be identified by number, if any, and street, or building address or rural route, or, if a commonly known street or rural route address does not exist, by legal description. A registered office may not be identified by post office box number or other nongeographic address. For purposes of communicating by mail, the secretary of state may permit the use of a post office address in conjunction with the registered office address if the corporation also maintains on file the specific geographic address of the registered office where personal service of process may be made.

     (2) A registered agent, which agent may be either an individual resident in this state whose business office is identical with such registered office, or a domestic corporation existing under any act of this state, or a governmental body or agency, or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business or conduct affairs in this state under any act of this state having an office identical with such registered office. The resident agent and registered office shall be designated by duly adopted resolution of the board of directors; and a statement of such designation, executed by an officer of the corporation, shall be filed with the secretary of state. A registered agent shall not be appointed without having given prior written consent to the appointment. The written consent shall be filed with the secretary of state in such form as the secretary may prescribe. The written consent shall be filed with or as a part of the document first appointing a registered agent. In the event any individual or corporation has been appointed agent without consent, that person or corporation may file a notarized statement attesting to that fact, and the name shall forthwith be removed from the records of the secretary of state.

     No Washington corporation or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may be permitted to maintain any action in any court in this state until the corporation complies with the requirements of this section.

[2009 c 202 § 2; 1993 c 356 § 15; 1982 c 35 § 125; 1969 ex.s. c 120 § 10.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 1993 c 356: See note following RCW 24.03.046.

     Intent -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- 1982 c 35: See notes following RCW 43.07.160.