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.

How to apply online

Retail and Nonretail Liquor Licenses

• Complete a Business License Application online and pay with E-check or a MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit or debit card (gift cards cannot be used).
• Filing online isn’t recommended for some businesses. See the list of businesses that shouldn’t file a Business License Application online for details.

How to apply by mail

Retail Liquor Licenses

1. Complete all of the following forms:
   • Business License Application
   • Liquor Control Board Addendum—Retail
2. 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
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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

1. Complete all of the following forms:
   • Business License Application
   • Liquor Control Board Addendum -Non-Retail
2. 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
3. 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

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