Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Topics & Questions
- Business Entities
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Filing Resources
Other Links
- Business Structures
- Common Reasons for Returned Documents
- Glossary of Terms
- Governors, Officers, Directors, Members and Managers
- Obtain a Certificate of Existence or Status from another state
- Ownership
- What addresses to use when filing?
- How do I find my business filings? (Download/Print copies for my record)
- Apostilles
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Washington State Notary Certificate/Language
Vital Records
- How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on my birth certificate?
- Where can I order a Certified Birth Certificate?
- How do I obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication on a Death Certificate?
- Where can I order a Certified Death Certificate?
- What is the process to get my Marriage Certificate Apostille/Authenticated?
- Where can I get a letter of Single Status?
Washington State Business Entity Records
- How do I get my business entity documents Apostilled? (e.g. Profit or Nonprofit Corp, LLC, LP, etc.)
Washington State High Schools
- Do my Washington State High School transcripts need to be notarized?
- Does my High School diploma need to be notarized, or do you need my original diploma?
Washington State Colleges & Universities
- Do my Washington State College or University transcripts need to be notarized?
- Does my College or University diploma need to be notarized?
Driver License/Identification:
- How do I get my Driver License Apostille/Authenticated?
- How do I get my passport Apostille/Authenticated?
Personal Documents
- Charities, Fundraisers & Trusts (CFTs)
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General Questions
- What is a "Charitable Organization?"
- What is the difference between a Nonprofit Corporation and a Charitable Organization?
- What is the difference between a Charitable Organization and 501c3 status?
- What is a Commercial Fundraiser or Professional Fundraiser?
- Who must register?
- Do all states require a registration?
- Who is not required to register?
- Why is registration required?
Assured Giving
FAQ Regarding Fundraising Auctions and Events (Noncash Gifts)
- Are donations of art, wine, theatre tickets, and other tangible property tax deductible?
- When does a donor need an appraisal?
- What are the rules for donating a vehicle?
- Are donations of services tax deductible?
- How much can be claimed as a tax benefit when goods or services are received in exchange for the donation?
- What type of documentation is required by the IRS to claim federal tax deductions for noncash gifts?
- Is the recipient organization required to provide the donor with a receipt?
- What is an IRS Form 8283?
- Is the recipient organization required to provide written documentation when non-deductible items are donated?
- Domestic Partnerships
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- Domestic Partnership FAQs
- What happened to state registered domestic partnerships on June 30, 2014?
- Are the City and County Domestic Partnerships included in the June 30, 2014, conversion?
- How do we dissolve our state registered domestic partnership?
- We are over the age of 62 but wish to convert our state registered domestic partnership to marriage. Can we?
- Do I need to notify the Secretary of State if we marry after registering a domestic partnership?
- How do I check if I’m in a Washington State Registered Domestic Partnership?
- My partner and I are registered with a city government. Do we need to register our Domestic Partnership with the State?
- How can a domestic partnership be terminated?
- Can we register a state domestic partnership after June 30, 2014?
- How do we register a domestic partnership?
- Can the Secretary of State notarize our declaration of domestic partnership?
- Can we register by mail or online?
- Are records of domestic partnerships public information?
- What will we receive after our registration?
- Can we get extra Certificates?
- I lost my wallet card. Can I get a replacement?
- Who can register as domestic partners after June 30, 2014?
- What should we do if we are in the process of dissolving our state registered domestic partnership?
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Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS)
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