Liquor licenses
Types of liquor licenses
- Retail Liquor Licenses are required for businesses or nonprofit organizations that retail or serve beer, wine, or spirits, such as grocery stores, restaurants or bars.
- Nonretail Liquor Licenses are required for businesses or nonprofit organizations that manufacture, distill, wholesale, transport, import, or export alcoholic beverages.
Important note: The application for the new spirits licenses created by Initiative 1183 is available only as a paper form. See the "How to apply by mail" section below.
How to apply online
Retail and Nonretail Liquor Licenses
How to apply by mail
Retail Liquor Licenses
- Complete all of the following forms:
- Mail your completed application and addendum with a check or money order payable to “Department of Revenue” for the fees to:
State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
- Complete a U.S. Dept of Treasury Alcohol Dealer Registration, and mail it to the U.S. Dept of Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau at the address on the form.
- If you are applying for a Spirits Retailer liquor license and intend to sell to on-premises liquor retailers for resale at their licensed premises, or for a Wine Retailer/Reseller Endorsement, you will also need a federal Basic Permit under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. It must provide for purchasing product for resale at wholesale, and a permit is required for each location from which you plan to sell to another retailer. Apply for this permit online with the TTB at https://www.ttbonline.gov/permitsonline/. It is recommended that you post this permit on your premises with your other licenses.
Nonretail Liquor Licenses
- Complete all of the following forms:
- Mail your completed application and addendum with a check or money order payable to “Department of Revenue” for the fees to:
State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
- Complete a U.S. Dept of Treasury Alcohol Dealer Registration, and mail it to the U.S. Dept of Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau at the address on the form.
Fees
| Specialty license |
Fee |
| Retail Liquor License |
Variable (.doc) |
| Nonretail Liquor License |
Variable |
| Other fees that may apply |
Fee |
| State tax registration |
No fee |
| Registering your business name as a trade name |
$5 |
| Business License Application fee |
$15 (non-refundable) |
Contact information
State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
Phone: 1-800-451-7985
Email: BLS@dor.wa.gov
Fax: 360-705-6699
Office hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mailing information
Please remember to enclose all necessary documents and fees with your completed application. Incomplete submissions will result in a delay in your licensure.
It is important that you contact our office, in writing, with any changes in address.
Regulatory questions
Liquor Control Board
Phone: 360-664-1600
http://www.liq.wa.gov/licensing/licensing-services
