The state filing fee to form an LLC in West Virginia is $100. Annual maintenance costs include annual report ($25) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
West Virginia charges a $100 initial filing fee. The annual report is $25 due July 1. West Virginia has no franchise tax on LLCs. West Virginia's low costs are attractive for businesses operating in the Appalachian region.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $100 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $25 | 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) | $174 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $74/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $470 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in West 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.
Form Your LLC with Northwest →FTC Disclosure: Vanderflip Financial may earn a commission if you use this link. We only recommend services we've evaluated.
The West Virginia state filing fee is $100. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($25) amount to approximately $174. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $74/year.
Yes — West Virginia requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical West Virginia address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a West 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 report: $25. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $74/year.
For most small businesses that operate in West Virginia, forming in West Virginia is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in West Virginia, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in West 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 West 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.