Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Seattle, King County, Washington.

Updated 2026-03-13 6 stops $400–$900 est. 3–6 months (DCYF licensing process dominates timeline)
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Washington

3 stops

  1. Washington State Business License

    Required for all businesses in Washington. Issued by the Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    $19/year1–2 weeks

  2. DCYF Family Home License

    Required for family home daycares caring for 2–12 children in Washington State. Issued by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). The process includes a home safety inspection, background checks (fingerprinting) for all household members age 16+, first aid/CPR training, completion of pre-service training, and an on-site visit. The license is free but the process is lengthy.

    Official government source

    $0 (license fee waived) + background check fees (~$60–$100/person)3–6 months

  3. Background Check (DCYF)

    All adults (18+) residing in the home and any employees must pass a background check through DCYF's background check unit. Includes a state criminal history check and FBI fingerprint check.

    Official government source

    $60–$100 per person2–8 weeks

City of Seattle / King County

2 stops

  1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

    Required for home-based businesses operating in Seattle, including licensed home daycares. Issued by City of Seattle Finance and Administrative Services.

    Official government source

    $110/year1–2 weeks

  2. Seattle Home Occupation Permit

    Required to operate a daycare business from a residential property in Seattle. Issued by SDCI. Home daycares must comply with restrictions on signage, the number of non-resident employees, and customer traffic. Fire inspection may be required.

    Official government source

    $100–$2502–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$900 · 3–6 months (DCYF licensing process dominates timeline)

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Official Sources

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