Applying for a License

Portal status information is found here.

More information and user guides are available on the Portal Resources page.

 

License Types

  • Retail Licenses - restaurants, theaters, nightclubs,
    grocery stores, etc.
    Retail license descriptions, allowances, and annual costs are shown on the Retail Fee and Description Sheet. 
    English - Spanish - Korean
     
  • Non-Retail and Out of State Licenses - wineries, breweries,
    distributors, out of state licenses, etc.
    Non-Retail license descriptions, allowances and annual fees are shown on the Non-Retail Fee and Description Sheet.
    English - Spanish - Korean

 

Application Instructions for New Businesses

A liquor license is an endorsement on your business license issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) Business Licensing Service. 

Examples of when a new Business License Application is required: 

  • Opening a new business or adding liquor to your existing business
  • Purchasing an existing business that holds a liquor license
  • Currently licensed Sole Proprietorships forming a new Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) 
     

You can apply for your business license online through Business Licensing Services.
 

Application Instructions for Purchasing an Existing Business

A Change in Governing People Application must be submitted when you are making changes to an already licensed partnership, corporation, or limited liability company.  A simple way to know if this application is required instead of a new business application, is if the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number will remain the same. Please keep in mind, you may also need to report ownership changes to the Washington Secretary of State and the Federal Trade and Tax Bureau (for non-retail licenses).  

Examples of when a Change in Governing People Application is required: 

  • LLC Manager or Decision Maker is added or removed
  • Cumulative change of more than 10% of shares/stocks transfers or is sold between officers/shareholders 

 

Change in Governing People Application must be completed, printed, and mailed to: 
State of Washington 
Business Licensing Service 
PO Box 9034 
Olympia WA 98507-9034 

 

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