The cheapest way to start an LLC in Virginia costs $100, and every dollar goes to the state. Here’s how to start an LLC in Virginia: you file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1011) with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). The SCC’s forms and fees page lists the filing fee at $100.
A formation service is optional. You can do every step yourself through the SCC and the IRS, and the IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
“Free” here means no service fee on top of the state’s charge. Below you’ll find the full do-it-yourself path, what each step costs, and where a paid service might save you time.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Virginia state filing fee for Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1011) is reported to be $100 under Virginia Code § 13.1-1005, whether filed online or by mail. Confirm the current amount on the SCC fee schedule before you file.
- You’ll owe a $50 annual registration fee every year after the year you form.
- That fee is due by the last day of the month you formed. Pay late and you’ll owe a $25 penalty.
- An EIN from the IRS is free.
- A formation service is optional. It adds its own fee on top of the $100.
How to Start an LLC in Virginia: Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1011) | $100 | At formation |
| Annual registration fee | $50 | Every year after the year of formation, due the last day of the month you formed |
| Late fee on annual registration | $25 | If you miss the deadline |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Whenever you need it |
Sources: Virginia SCC (forms and fees; annual registration fees) and IRS.gov.
How to Start an LLC in Virginia Step by Step
1. Choose a name and check it
Your LLC needs a name that’s distinguishable from others already on file with the state. Use the SCC’s business name search on its website to see what’s taken. Also make sure your pick isn’t confusingly close to a business you’d compete with.
For rules on required words (such as “LLC”) and restricted terms, check the SCC’s website for current naming requirements.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive official legal and state mail for your LLC. It can be you, someone you trust, or a commercial service. Whoever you choose needs to be reliably reachable at a Virginia address during business hours. Check the SCC’s website for the exact eligibility requirements before you name one.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC in Richmond. You could name yourself and use your home address. The tradeoff is that your address becomes part of the public record. A paid agent service keeps that mail off your doorstep, but it costs extra.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1011)
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. In Virginia it’s Form LLC-1011, filed with the SCC, and the filing fee is $100.
Have these ready before you start:
- Your LLC name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Your principal office address
- Any other details the form asks for
Filing directly with the SCC means no service fee. Check the SCC’s website for current processing times and any expedited options.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out who owns the LLC and how it runs. A member is an owner of an LLC. Even a single-member LLC benefits from having one, because it documents that you keep business and personal affairs separate.
You generally keep it with your records rather than submitting it. Check the SCC’s website or the Virginia Code to confirm whether your LLC must have one.
A simple operating agreement should cover:
- Member names and ownership percentages
- Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed (a manager is someone appointed to run day-to-day operations)
- How profits are split
- What happens if a member leaves or the LLC closes
5. Get your free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (employer identification number) is your business’s federal tax ID. The IRS lets you get one directly from the IRS online in minutes, for free. Apply only through IRS.gov. Sites that charge for an EIN are reselling a free service.
You’ll typically want your LLC formed first, so do this after the SCC approves your Articles. For how your tax setup may change things later, see our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences.
6. Open a business bank account
With your approved Articles, EIN, and operating agreement in hand, open an account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business money separate from personal money supports the separation an LLC is meant to provide.
Many banks and online providers offer business accounts. Novo is one online option to compare. Check each provider’s fees and requirements first.
7. Calendar your annual registration fee
This is the step people forget.
Put the deadline in your calendar now. The details are in the good standing section below.
Doing It Yourself vs. Using a Formation Service for Your Virginia LLC
Doing it yourself:
- State fee: $100
- Service fee: $0
- First-year formation cost: $100 (plus the $50 annual fee in the years after you form)
Using a formation service:
- State fee: $100 (the service files with the SCC for you)
- Service fee: varies by company, so check current pricing
- First-year cost: $100 plus whatever the service charges
What does a service add? It handles the paperwork, may offer registered agent service, and can include extras like an operating agreement template. If you want that convenience, Bizee is one option. Compare it against others in our best LLC formation services roundup.
Filing directly with the SCC is a realistic route for a first-time founder. A service makes the most sense if you value your time over the fee, want a registered agent so your home address stays off the public record, or like a guided checklist.
Keeping Your Virginia LLC in Good Standing
Here’s what the SCC’s annual registration fee page says:
- Virginia LLCs pay a $50 annual registration fee each year after the year they form. The SCC assesses it about two months before the due date.
- The due date is the last day of the LLC’s anniversary month, meaning the month in which it was organized.
- A $25 penalty applies if payment is not received by the due date.
- An LLC has until the last day of the third month following the anniversary month to pay. If it still hasn’t paid by then, its registration is canceled.
Say you form your LLC in March 2026. You wouldn’t owe a fee in 2026, since it applies to years after the formation year. Under the SCC’s rule, your first payment would be due by March 31, 2027, and again every March 31 after that.
A canceled LLC can lose the protections and standing that came with forming it. Treat this deadline seriously. Check the SCC’s website for how to pay and for the steps to reinstate if a cancellation ever happens.
Curious how this stacks up elsewhere? See our LLC filing fees by state breakdown.
Virginia LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Virginia?
Virginia Code § 13.1-1005 sets the filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1011) at $100, whether you file online or by mail. Confirm the current amount on the SCC’s fee schedule. That’s the minimum if you file yourself. A formation service would add its own fee.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free and never have to pay a fee for one.
When is the Virginia annual registration fee due?
The fee is $50 per year, due by the last day of the month in which your LLC was organized. It starts the year after you form, according to the SCC.
What happens if I pay the annual fee late?
The SCC adds a $25 penalty if payment isn’t received by the due date. If the fee still goes unpaid by the last day of the third month after your anniversary month, the LLC’s registration is canceled.
Do I need a formation service to start a Virginia LLC?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization yourself with the SCC. A service is an optional convenience for people who want help with paperwork or a registered agent.
Your Next Step
Ready to file? Open the SCC’s forms and fees page, grab Form LLC-1011, and set a calendar reminder for your annual registration month. Then read our 7-step start-here guide to see how the rest of the process fits together.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
