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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 2 · Virginia

Virginia Registered Agent Chapter (2026): 6 Sections and the 2 Best Agents

Virginia readers who want help appointing a registered agent in 2026 should look at VA Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), in the order given. Section 1 states the Virginia rule on a registered agent; the other sections apply it, 6 in all.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key facts for this chapter

The requirement Yes law.lis.virginia.gov, as published October 2026
Cost of hiring an agent $99 to $149 a year Published prices
Annual Registration Fee $50 a year scc.virginia.gov, as published October 2026
Section count 6 Each one explained

Chapter objectives

  • The Virginia agent rule
  • Eligibility and the address test
  • Naming the agent in a filing
  • How the recommended agents compare

The Virginia shortlist

Ranked by the grading page: three-year cost (34%), paperwork completed (30%), second-year price, fit with Virginia rules and clarity of the price list.

1. VA Registered Agent.org: best for single-state companies

Highest ranked
$99 per year (renewal $99)

VA Registered Agent.org is ranked first in Virginia: $99 a year with no change at renewal, for an LLC that stays within the state.

Cost breaks the tie: three years here total less than at Mainstay Filing.

Price covers

  • An office address within the state
  • Scans of documents served on the LLC

Advantages

  • Price $99; renews at $99
  • Costs less each year than Mainstay Filing

Limitations

  • A single-state service
  • Annual Registration Fee is excluded from the price
Visit VA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Mainstay Filing: best for a nationwide agent at one price

Serves all states
$149 per year (renewal $149)

Mainstay Filing is ranked second: $149 a year from one provider, for this state and any later one.

Total three years and it comes to $150 more than VA Registered Agent.org.

Price covers

  • A street address for the registered office
  • Any papers served on the company get scanned for you at no cost
  • Three government mailings a year are scanned at no cost to you
  • Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Advantages

  • Available in all fifty states
  • $149 each year with no increase

Limitations

  • $50 a year above VA Registered Agent.org
  • This plan does not file reports
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2 services, side by side

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1 VA Registered Agent.org $99$99/yr$297 Visit VA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $149$149/yr$447 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices come from each company's own site, consulted November 13, 2026. Changing agents does not alter what the state charges.

The sections

  1. Section 1

    Read the Virginia requirement

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

    Reference: law.lis.virginia.gov, as published October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Identify eligible agents

    A Virginia resident who is a member, manager or officer of the LLC (or of an entity that manages it) or a member of the Virginia State Bar, or a corporation, LLC or registered LLP authorized in Virginia. See Va. Code § 13.1-1015.

  3. Section 3

    Choose a qualifying office address

    The address has to be a registered office in Virginia that is the agent's business office. A P.O. box is accepted only in a town of under 2,000 people with no street address.

    Every recommended service supplies the in-state address.

  4. Section 4

    Self-service compared with a professional agent

    An owner who meets the tests above may serve; hiring one of the recommended agents costs $99 to $149 a year.

  5. Section 5

    Record the agent with the state

    the State Corporation Commission (SCC) receives the filing that identifies the agent, and also any later change.

    Reference: law.lis.virginia.gov, as published October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Update the record when facts change

    Annually the Annual Registration Fee confirms the agent's details for $50, by last day of the LLC's anniversary month. A late filing costs $25.

    Reference: scc.virginia.gov, as published October 2026

Virginia agent costs

ItemWho is paidCost
A professional agent The service$99 to $149 a year
Renewal The service$99 to $149 a year
Annual Registration Fee Filing office$50 every year

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

Why VA Registered Agent.org is first

The deciding criterion was tuition over three years, which carries 34% of the ranking.

By year three VA Registered Agent.org has cost $297, a saving of $150 next to Mainstay Filing.

Common questions

Does Virginia require an LLC to have a registered agent?

Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Can I be my own registered agent?

An owner may serve if eligible; the tests are in sections 2 and 3.

Can I change my registered agent later?

It can be done. An existing LLC files a change with the State Corporation Commission (SCC); see section 5.

What does a registered agent cost in Virginia?

This chapter's agents bill $99 to $149 each year.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

The state charges $50 for the Annual Registration Fee each time.

Which registered agent would you choose?

VA Registered Agent.org ranks first and Mainstay Filing follow; VA Registered Agent.org leads on tuition over three years.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Virginia yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source chapter: law.lis.virginia.gov, consulted October 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Virginia yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source chapter: scc.virginia.gov, consulted October 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Va chapter: law.lis.virginia.gov, consulted August 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the Virginia formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: law.lis.virginia.gov, consulted October 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the Virginia registered agent statute chapter: law.lis.virginia.gov, consulted October 2026.
  6. Prices quoted from the pricing page at VA Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026
  7. Prices quoted from the Virginia service page at Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026