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Biz Formation Academy

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

Unit 1 · West Virginia

West Virginia LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

The recommended reading for forming an LLC in West Virginia in 2026 is Mainstay Filing ($199), West Virginia Registered Agent.co ($199) and WV Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. The chapter has 7 sections. West Virginia charges $100 to file, and the annual report follows every year.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key points

Formation fee $100 sos.wv.gov (edition of October 2026)
Annual report $25 a year Stated timing: July 1
What the state collects over three years $150 Filing plus the recurring state fees
Sections in this chapter 7 First to last

What this chapter teaches

  • The West Virginia formation document, its fee and its recipient
  • What the agent rule says
  • What is filed every year afterward
  • Which services are recommended and why

The West Virginia shortlist

Cost over three years comes first, then paperwork completed, second-year price, West Virginia fit and price clarity (grading page).

1. Mainstay Filing: best for no annual report to prepare

Read this one first
$199 a year, renewing at $199

Mainstay Filing comes first. A yearly fee of $199 pays for the formation, the agent for service of process and the annual report, and the second year is $199 again.

Compared with West Virginia Registered Agent.co, the reader pays $200 more across three years and keeps fewer filings to prepare.

The annual report is handled too, with West Virginia's $25 added at cost.

Price covers

  • The formation filing is prepared and submitted
  • Agent for service of process for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • No added charge for the EIN application
  • No increase at renewal ($199)
  • $199 annually, all inclusive

Limitations

  • Renewal costs $100 above West Virginia Registered Agent.co
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. West Virginia Registered Agent.co: best for West Virginia LLCs that watch every dollar

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

West Virginia Registered Agent.co is ranked second: a formation charge of $199 above state fees, and an agent renewal of $99.

The annual report is not in the price, so the owner files it every year.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 to form
  • $99 a year after that
  • Year-one agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • No service for the annual report is offered
  • The EIN application is not included ($99)
Visit West Virginia Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. WV Registered Agent.org: best for LLCs that stay in West Virginia

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

WV Registered Agent.org is ranked third: a formation charge of $199 above state fees, and an agent renewal of $99.

The annual report is not in the price, so the owner files it every year.

It charges exactly what West Virginia Registered Agent.co charges.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $99 a year after that
  • $199 to form
  • Year-one agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • No service for the annual report is offered
  • The EIN application is not included ($99)
Visit WV Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The services compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 West Virginia Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit West Virginia Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 WV Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit WV Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Listed prices, consulted November 13, 2026. Every row also owes the $100 state fee.

How a West Virginia LLC is formed

  1. Section 1

    Search the register for the name

    Check the name against the West Virginia register kept by the West Virginia Secretary of State; this avoids a rejected filing.

    Keep a second choice on hand.

  2. Section 2

    Appoint an agent for service of process

    The statute says an LLC "may" keep an agent; the Articles ask for one "if any". If one is named: a West Virginia resident, a West Virginia corporation, another LLC, or a corporation or company from another state authorized to do business in West Virginia.

    The statute says an LLC "may" keep an agent, and the Articles of Organization ask for one "if any." If an agent is named, its West Virginia address goes on the state record.

    The recommended services all supply the agent for service of process role.

    Reference: code.wvlegislature.gov (edition of October 2026)

  3. Section 3

    Self-filing compared with hiring help

    Both routes pay $100 to the state. The services in the ranking charge $199 more and do the forms.

  4. Section 4

    The state wants the West Virginia Articles of Organization of Limited Liability Company

    Required: the West Virginia Articles of Organization of Limited Liability Company (Form LLD-1), the $100 fee, and delivery to the West Virginia Secretary of State. The state gives its timing as 5 to 10 business days, no extra cost.

    Reference: sos.wv.gov (edition of October 2026)

  5. Section 5

    Secure the LLC's EIN

    With the state's approval in hand, the company can ask the IRS for a federal tax number; opening a business bank account depends on it. With Mainstay Filing this section is completed for you.

  6. Section 6

    Draft the members' agreement

    Think of the operating agreement as the owners' written rules. The company keeps it; the state does not ask for a copy.

  7. Section 7

    Keep the LLC in good standing

    Calendar entry for the owner: the annual report, at $25, every year, due July 1. Lateness is penalized at $50.

    Reference: onestop.wv.gov (edition of October 2026)

West Virginia costs by section

ItemGoes toTotal
Creating the LLC Paid to the state$100
Annual report Paid to the state$25 every year
If the report is late Paid to the state$50
Paid assistance The provider$199 at the start
Three-year state total Paid to the state$150

The three-year state row is computed as the filing fee, plus the report in each of years two and three, plus any yearly minimum tax. Service fees have their own rows.

Why Mainstay Filing is first

On chapters the price completes (30% of the ranking) came first, with next.

A price that covers the annual report counted for more than West Virginia Registered Agent.co's lower three-year total.

West Virginia questions

What is the cost of a West Virginia LLC formation?

West Virginia charges $100. Service charges among the ranked companies fall between $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The West Virginia Articles of Organization of Limited Liability Company (Form LLD-1) creates the company, and the West Virginia Secretary of State is the recipient.

Is an agent for service of process required?

The statute says an LLC "may" keep an agent; the Articles ask for one "if any".

How long does West Virginia take to process the filing?

Plan for 5 to 10 business days, no extra cost.

What does West Virginia require each year?

Enter the annual report in the calendar: $25, every year, July 1.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

The state accepts filings directly from owners, so no service is needed: $100 plus an agent for service of process.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing ranks first and West Virginia Registered Agent.co and WV Registered Agent.org follow; Mainstay Filing leads on chapters the price completes.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Primary text behind West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing: business4.wv.gov, accessed August 2026.
  2. Primary text behind West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing: business4.wv.gov, accessed August 2026.
  3. Primary text behind West Virginia yearly filing: Annual report: fee and: sos.wv.gov, accessed October 2026.
  4. Primary text behind West Virginia yearly filing: Annual report: fee and: onestop.wv.gov, accessed October 2026.
  5. Primary text behind West Virginia report due date: code.wvlegislature.gov, accessed August 2026.
  6. Primary text behind W: sos.wv.gov, accessed August 2026.
  7. Primary text behind West Virginia formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wv.gov, accessed October 2026.
  8. Primary text behind West Virginia formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.wv.gov, accessed October 2026.
  9. Primary text behind West Virginia registered agent statute: code.wvlegislature.gov, accessed October 2026.
  10. Primary text behind Processing and expedite, official source: sos.wv.gov, accessed October 2026.
  11. Price reference: Mainstay Filing, West Virginia service page, November 13, 2026
  12. Price reference: West Virginia Registered Agent.co, pricing page, November 13, 2026
  13. Price reference: WV Registered Agent.org, pricing page, November 13, 2026