West Virginia · Registered agent · updated 2026

Registered Agent in West Virginia

West Virginia requires every LLC and corporation to keep a registered agent with a physical West Virginia address. Incofile provides one for $119/year — free for the first year when we form your company — with same-day document scanning and compliance reminders.

West Virginia at a glance

Registered agent requiredYes — LLCs & corporations
Address rulePhysical West Virginia street address, no PO box
AvailabilityBusiness hours, in person
Filed withWest Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Incofile service$119/yr · first year free with formation

What West Virginia requires from a registered agent

Every West Virginia LLC and corporation must list a registered agent on its formation documents and keep one for as long as the company exists. The agent must have a physical street address in West Virginia and be available during normal business hours to accept legal papers and official state mail.

Agent for service of process: Optional in West Virginia, but recommended; an individual resident, corporation or LLC at a street address in the state

Should you be your own registered agent in West Virginia?

Be your own agent

  • No annual fee
  • Your name and street address go on the public record
  • You must be at that West Virginia address in business hours, every working day
  • Moving means a state filing to update the address
  • Not possible if you live outside West Virginia or outside the US

Use Incofile

  • $119/year — first year free with any formation package
  • Your home address stays private
  • Documents scanned and emailed the same day they arrive
  • Annual report and compliance reminders for West Virginia
  • Works for out-of-state and international owners

How Incofile's West Virginia registered agent service works

  1. We are listed on your filing

    When Incofile forms your West Virginia company, our West Virginia address is entered as the registered office — no extra form, no gap. Existing companies can switch to us at any time.

  2. Mail and legal papers come to us

    Service of process, state notices and compliance mail are received at our West Virginia address during business hours, as the law requires.

  3. You get it the same day

    Every document is scanned and uploaded to your Incofile client portal with an email alert, so nothing sits in a mailbox.

  4. We remind you before deadlines

    Your portal shows upcoming West Virginia filings — including the annual report — with reminders ahead of time.

Changing your registered agent in West Virginia

If your current agent is retiring, raising prices or simply unresponsive, you can switch. File a change-of-agent form with the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division, pay any state fee, and make sure the new agent has consented. Incofile's change of registered agent service handles the filing for $119, which also includes a full year of our West Virginia registered agent service.

West Virginia LLC facts

State filing fee$100 (waived for veteran-owned LLCs)
Document filedArticles of Organization (Form LLD-1)
Expedited options+$25 for 24-hour service · +$250 for 2-hour · +$500 for 1-hour (state fees)
Business Registration Certificate$30 one-time, from the Tax Division, required before trading
Annual report$25 per year, filed between 1 January and 30 June
Late penalty$75 in total if received after 30 June; administrative dissolution for non-filers
Name reservation (optional)$15, holds the name for 120 days
State income taxGraduated, top rate 4.58% for 2026

Figures checked against the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division, September 2026. State fees change — always confirm the current amount before filing.

Get a West Virginia registered agent today

Form your West Virginia LLC from $0 + state fee and the first year of registered agent service is on us. Already formed? Switch to Incofile in minutes.

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West Virginia registered agent — frequently asked questions

Do I need a registered agent for my West Virginia LLC?

Yes. West Virginia requires every LLC and corporation to name a registered agent on its formation documents and to keep one continuously. The agent accepts service of process (lawsuits) and official notices from the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division on the company's behalf.

Can I be my own registered agent in West Virginia?

You can if you are an adult with a physical street address in West Virginia (not a PO box) and you are available there during normal business hours. Many owners prefer a service so their home address stays off the public record, nothing is missed while they travel, and the address does not have to change when they move.

How much does a registered agent cost in West Virginia?

Incofile's West Virginia registered agent service is $119 per year, and the first year is included free when you form your company with any Incofile package. Acting as your own agent costs nothing in fees but puts your address on the public record.

What happens if my West Virginia LLC has no registered agent?

The state can refuse filings, mark the company as not in good standing and eventually administratively dissolve it. Worse, a lawsuit can proceed without you ever being properly notified. Keeping a registered agent on file is one of the cheapest forms of protection a company has.

Can I use a registered agent address as my business address?

A registered agent address is for legal and state mail only. If you need a business street address for banking, invoices or your website, add a virtual business address — Incofile offers one alongside registered agent service.

How do I change my registered agent in West Virginia?

File a change-of-registered-agent form with the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division and pay any state fee. Incofile can prepare and file it for you ($119, which includes a year of our registered agent service) so there is no gap in coverage.