- Filing fee
- $100
- Annual Registration Fee
- $50
- First-year gov. cost
- $100
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Virginia will accept
Restricted words include terms such as bank, trust, engineer, and insurance, which demand professional licensing clearance.
Search existing Virginia business names before you commit. Virginia naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical Virginia address required.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Virginia registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011)
Submit it to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) through the official filing portal and pay $100. Applies equally to online submissions and mailed paper forms.
Processing: online Often receive same-day approval; by mail Standard processing varies. Expedite: Next Day service is an additional $50, and Same Day service is an additional $200 (exclusively for online CIS filings)..
Write an operating agreement
Not filed with the SCC, though legally recommended internally.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Registration Fee ($50), due Last day of the LLC's anniversary month. Automatic $25 late penalty. Virginia report deadlines.
Every Virginia LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011) | $100 | Applies equally to online submissions and mailed paper forms. |
| Annual Registration Fee | $50 | annual, Last day of the LLC's anniversary month |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 120 days |
| Amendment | $25 | |
| Certificate of Registration | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Cancellation | $25 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $10 | state |
How Virginia compares nationally
- Virginia's filing fee of $100 is the 18th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Virginia's first-year government cost of $100 is the 16th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Virginia's yearly cost after that of $50 is the 24th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) costs $100 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Virginia street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Virginia's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Virginia fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $100 | $0 |
| Northwest | $139 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $100 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No entity-level franchise tax or minimum tax on LLCs. Elective Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) available. Standard LLC profits pass through to personal income tax (2% to 5.75%).
What's different about Virginia
- SCC preemptively assesses the $50 Annual Registration Fee and mails a notice two months before the deadline.
- Automatic cancellation policy for being three months late is ruthlessly efficient, requiring a $100 fee plus back fees to reinstate.
More Virginia LLC guides
Virginia LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Virginia?
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) charges $100 to file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $100 in government fees (Realistic first-year government cost is $100 for formation.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Virginia?
Online: Often receive same-day approval. By mail: Standard processing varies. Expedited: Next Day service is an additional $50, and Same Day service is an additional $200 (exclusively for online CIS filings)..
Does a Virginia LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Virginia requires the Annual Registration Fee, which costs $50, filed annual. Due: Last day of the LLC's anniversary month. Automatic $25 late penalty.
Can I be my own registered agent in Virginia?
Yes. Physical Virginia address required. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Virginia require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Virginia has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Virginia?
Not filed with the SCC, though legally recommended internally.
What taxes does a Virginia LLC pay to the state?
No entity-level franchise tax or minimum tax on LLCs. Elective Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) available. Standard LLC profits pass through to personal income tax (2% to 5.75%).
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: ra.change fee, good standing fee, dissolution.tax clearance.