Payday Loans & Cash Advances in Washington
WA · up to $700 — max fee 15%- Max loan: $700
- Max fee: 15% of the loan's face value
- Term: Max 45 days
- Statute: RCW 31.45.010 et seq.
Get $500 Match in WA
✓ No credit check to see offers • ✓ 2 minutes • ✓ SSL secure
What a payday loan costs in Washington
A cash advance, a payday advance, a payroll advance — whatever the storefront sign says, it's the same product with the same legal ceiling in Washington.
The Washington fee of $45 per $300 borrowed ranks 11th of 29 fixed-fee states — in the middle of the pack for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $30 | $230 | 45 days |
| $300 | $45 | $345 | 45 days |
| $500 | $75 | $575 | 45 days |
| $700 | $105 | $805 | 45 days |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
Washington caps the dollar fee, not the APR — so the same fee annualizes differently depending on how long you hold the loan. This is the honest math for a $500 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $75 | $575 | ≈391% |
| 30 days | $75 | $575 | ≈182% |
The rulebook in Washington
| Legal cap | $700 |
| Fee ceiling | 15% on first $500 ($15 per $100), 10% on amount over $500 |
| Term | Max 45 days |
| Rollovers | Forbidden |
| Cooling-off / rescind | End of next business day |
| Typical APR | 391% |
| Statute | RCW 31.45.010 et seq. |
| Regulator | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions |
A small loan is not intended to meet long-term financial needs. Washington borrowers are limited to 8 small loans per 12-month period.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in Washington
The payday loan is the fastest tool, rarely the cheapest. Before signing, compare it with the two structured alternatives:
| Payday loan | Credit-union PAL | Online installment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | $100–$700 | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 15% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | 45 days | 1–6 months | 6–24 months |
| Credit check | No hard pull — income-based | Soft pull, credit unions only | Soft-check prequalification common |
| Best for | A one-paycheck gap | Bigger gap, credit-union members | Multi-month shortfalls |
Repaying — and what happens if you can't
- Repayment is a single automatic debit from the account the money went into, due max 45 days after signing.
- Rollover rules: Forbidden. A "renewal" that adds a fresh fee to the same balance is the classic payday debt spiral — state law is the line between a rollover and a legal new loan.
- Cancellation: Washington gives you a rescind window of end of next business day — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- A small loan is not intended to meet long-term financial needs. Washington borrowers are limited to 8 small loans per 12-month period.
- If a debit bounces, the bank charges its own NSF fee and the lender may charge the contract late fee — then may sell the debt to a collector. Complaints go to the state regulator, and an unlicensed lender may have no enforceable claim at all.
Four things to try before borrowing
- A payment plan from the bill issuer. Utilities, hospitals, and many landlords must offer hardship payment plans on request — it costs nothing and beats any loan.
- Credit-union PAL. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at APRs capped at 28% with terms of 1–6 months — several times cheaper than any payday fee, if you can join a credit union.
- Earned-wage access. Employer-connected advance apps let you draw already-worked hours for little or no fee. Slower than a payday loan, far cheaper.
- Local assistance. Community action agencies and charity programs cover one-time bills (rent, utilities, medication) in most metro areas.
50 Washington cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest Washington cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- Seattle 704k
- Spokane 216k
- Tacoma 211k
- Vancouver 175k
- Bellevue 141k
- Kent 128k
- Everett 109k
- Renton 101k
- Federal Way 97k
- Spokane Valley 96k
- Yakima 94k
- Kirkland 88k
- Bellingham 88k
- Kennewick 80k
- Auburn 77k
- Pasco 71k
- Marysville 68k
- Sammamish 64k
- Redmond 62k
- Lakewood 61k
- Shoreline 55k
- Richland 55k
- South Hill 55k
- Olympia 51k
- Burien 51k
- Lacey 48k
- Bothell 45k
- Edmonds 42k
- Bremerton 41k
- Puyallup 41k
- Lynnwood 38k
- Longview 37k
- Issaquah 37k
- Parkland 36k
- Mount Vernon 35k
- Wenatchee 34k
- University Place 33k
- Pullman 33k
- Walla Walla 32k
- Lake Stevens 32k
- Des Moines 31k
- Spanaway 29k
- SeaTac 29k
- Fairwood 27k
- Maple Valley 26k
- Mercer Island 25k
- Bainbridge Island 24k
- Graham 24k
- Cottage Lake 23k
- Oak Harbor 23k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in Washington?
To get a payday loan in Washington, you need to meet some criteria. If you do not qualify for any of them, you will not be able to get a payday loan. Review the main ones and make sure you have everything needed to get a loan:
- 18 is the minimum age
- US citizens and permanent residents
- a resident of Washington
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than $700?
An installment loan in Washington spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the WA-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in Washington. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
Washington payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Washington?
The legal maximum is $700 per loan under RCW 31.45.010 et seq.. Lenders may not write around it, online or in a storefront.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in Washington?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. Washington's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in Washington?
$45 in fees — 15% of the loan's face value — repaid max 45 days later. Total repayment: $345.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in Washington?
Apply online in the morning: decisions arrive in minutes, and applications approved before the lender's daily cutoff are funded the same business day. After the cutoff or on weekends, funding lands the next business morning.
Do Washington payday lenders check credit?
No hard credit check in the traditional sense: approval runs on verifiable income and an active checking account, so weak or thin credit files still get funded. Some lenders record a soft inquiry, which leaves your score untouched.
What happens if I can't repay a payday loan in Washington?
State rule: forbidden. A missed debit adds the bank NSF fee and the contract late fee, and the debt may go to a collector. Ask the lender for an extended payment plan before the due date — and escalate to the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in Washington?
State law says: Forbidden. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a Washington lender?
To the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (https://dfi.wa.gov) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving Washington residents.
Ready to check offers in Washington?
One short form, several licensed lenders, and the legal cost of your state shown before you commit to anything.
Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in Washington
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these Washington options cover the other common situations — bigger amounts, longer terms, and no-credit-check routes:
Payday Loan Calculator
The legal ceiling computed from state statute — the most a licensed lender may charge. It is the law, not a quote.
Get Payday Loans in Washington with All City Payday Loan
Every figure on this page is the legal ceiling computed from state law — the most a licensed lender may charge you. All City Payday Loan matches you with licensed lenders and shows the cost before you commit.
Start with All City Payday Loans →Disclosure. All City Payday Loan is not a lender, not a broker, and does not make credit decisions. Rates and terms are set by third-party lenders and depend on state law and the lender's underwriting; short-term loans carry APRs that may range from 35.99% to 359.99%. A payday loan is a short-term tool for a temporary cash gap — it is not a solution for long-term debt problems. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees and collection activity. Check your lender's license with your state regulator before you sign.