The state filing fee to form an LLC in Virginia is $100. Annual maintenance costs include annual registration ($50) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Virginia charges a $100 initial filing fee. The annual registration fee is $50. Virginia has no franchise tax on standard LLCs. Northern Virginia's proximity to DC and the federal government creates a strong market for professional services LLCs.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $100 | One-time at formation |
| Annual registration | $50 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $199 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $99/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $595 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in Virginia for $49/year — the lowest price in the industry. They also include a free year of registered agent service when you use them to form your LLC. Vanderflip Financial's preferred partner for LLC formation.
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The Virginia state filing fee is $100. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($50) amount to approximately $199. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $99/year.
Yes — Virginia requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Virginia address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Virginia address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual registration: $50. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $99/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Virginia, forming in Virginia is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Virginia, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Virginia — paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Virginia typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.