Changes are coming
Washington state is improving how you log in and access services by introducing WA.gov accounts. WA.gov accounts will replace the state’s current login platform, SecureAccess Washington (SAW).
Learn more about the transition at this page.
Use a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account to access online services from state agencies with one username and password.
Popular Services
SAW is used frequently to apply for a range of services from state agencies, update and report information, and complete secure transactions. Popular services:
- Paid Family and Medical Leave
- File a tax return or renew a business license
- Apply for unemployment benefits
Get access to these services and many more by creating a SAW account.
Check If You Have a SAW Account
Since SAW is used by many agencies, you may already have a SAW account and not know it. You can have multiple SAW accounts associated with one email address.
To check whether you already have a SAW account:
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov
- Click Username Reminder
- Enter your email address
If you have an account, you will receive an email. If not, a message will appear saying that your email address was not found in the system, and you can proceed with signing up.
Hint: If you have multiple email addresses, you may want to search for each of them in the system before creating a new account.
Create a SAW Account
- Go to secureaccess.wa.gov and select Sign up!
- Enter your personal information in the fields provided.
Hint: Providing a secondary email address and a phone number will give you options for completing required security checks in the future. - Create a username. The User ID must be 4 to 32 characters and is not case sensitive. You can also use an email address as a username.
- Create a password. Your password must be at least 10 characters, and include at least three of the following:
- Uppercase letter.
- Lowercase letter.
- Number.
- Special character (e.g., $, %, #).
- Review your information (You may want to print this page for your records).
- Click Create my account and then check the box next to “Verify you are human”.
- SAW will send you an email. Find the email and click the link to activate your account. Enter your username and password and click Login.
Login to Your SAW Account
Since you’ll be using your SAW account to share private information with state agencies, you want it to be secure. That’s why logging into SAW requires two security checks:
- Enter your username and password and click Login.
- If you enter the correct username and password, SAW will conduct one more security check by sending you a verification code. If you provided multiple email addresses or a phone number when you created your account, you can choose how and where SAW sends the code.
- Enter the code you receive and click Submit.
Add Services to Your SAW Account
Once you login to your SAW account, you can find and get access to secure services from state agencies.
If you have used your SAW account on a state agency website, you will see the service you used listed on your SAW homepage and be able to get back to it from there. Many agencies have one or more secure services that you may or may not be able to access depending on who you are and your business with the agency.
- You can add services using a code given to you by the Washington State agency. You may receive a code from agencies like the Department of Labor & Industries, the Employment Security Department, or the Department of Revenue.
- You can browse by agency and choose from a list of services provided by that agency. For example, if you know your Real Estate License is from the Department of Licensing, browse by agency and find the Department of Licensing and choose professional licensing.
- You can search for services without knowing the name of the agency. For example, if you are applying for Paid Family and Medical Leave, you can browse services by name and add Paid Family and Medical Leave without knowing the name of the agency that provides the service.
Once you find your service, click Apply. Depending on the service, you may be asked for additional information. When you are registered, you’ll see the service listed on your SAW homepage. Click Access Now and Continue to leave SAW and go to the service on the agency’s website.