Here’s how to start an LLC in West Virginia for as little as $100. That’s the state filing fee for the Articles of Organization, and you pay it to the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division. You can file the paperwork yourself.
A formation service is optional. It can save you time, but you never have to use one. After you form, the state charges a $25 annual report fee each year. The EIN (your federal tax ID) is free from the IRS.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step checklist, the real costs, and a way to decide whether paying a service makes sense. Fees and rules are as of October 2026, so confirm them on the state’s website before you file.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Our recommendations are based on independent research and are never influenced by partners.
Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for a West Virginia LLC is $100 (Form LLD-1, Articles of Organization).
- The annual report costs $25 and is due between January 1 and July 1, starting the year after you form.
- An EIN is free from the IRS. You never have to pay for one.
- A formation service is optional and adds its own fee on top of the state’s $100.
West Virginia LLC Costs at a Glance
“Free” in “incorporate for free” means no middleman fee. The state fee is unavoidable, and it goes to the state, not to us or anyone else.
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1) | $100 | Once, when you form |
| Annual report | $25 | Every year, between January 1 and July 1, starting the year after you form |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once, whenever you need it |
| Formation service (optional) | Varies | Only if you choose one |
Sources: West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division (filing fee); West Virginia Secretary of State (annual report); IRS (EIN). Figures current as of October 2026.
Some qualifying veteran-owned businesses have the annual report fee waived. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State, the waiver lasts four years. Check the Secretary of State’s website to see whether you qualify.
How to Start an LLC in West Virginia, Step by Step
An LLC (limited liability company) is a business structure registered with the state. It’s generally meant to keep your personal assets separate from the business’s debts. The steps below follow the order most first-time founders find easiest.
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC needs a name that’s distinguishable from other businesses already registered in the state. Use the business name search on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website to see what’s taken. Search a few variations of your top choices, since a close match can cause problems.
Naming rules, such as required words like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and restricted terms, are spelled out in the state’s filing materials. Read the instructions that come with Form LLD-1 on the Secretary of State’s website before you settle on a name.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive official legal and state mail for your LLC. Your filing will ask for this person’s name and a physical address in the state.
You generally have three options:
- Yourself, if you have a West Virginia address and are reliably available during business hours.
- Someone you trust who lives in the state and agrees to do it.
- A commercial registered agent service, which makes sense if you travel often, want privacy, or don’t have a West Virginia address.
Check the instructions on the Secretary of State’s website for the exact agent requirements.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1)
The Articles of Organization is the document that officially creates your LLC. In West Virginia, it’s Form LLD-1, and you file it with the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division. According to the Secretary of State, the filing fee for a domestic LLC is $100.
Gather these before you start:
- Your LLC name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Your business’s address
- Information about who will manage the LLC and who organizes it, as the form requests
For current processing times and the accepted ways to file, check the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division’s website. Processing times change.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for a freelance design business. You search the name, list yourself as registered agent, complete Form LLD-1 and pay the $100 state fee. That’s the formation filing. Your next state deadline is the annual report the following year.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC is run: who owns it, how profits are split, and who makes decisions. The people who own an LLC are called members. If the members run the business directly, it’s member-managed. If they appoint someone to run it, it’s manager-managed.
Even if you’re the only member, a written agreement helps show the LLC is separate from you personally. Banks may also ask for it. It’s generally not filed with the state. Check the Secretary of State’s website or ask a licensed attorney whether any West Virginia-specific requirements apply to you. Our LLC vs. S corp guide covers how your tax choices may affect what goes in the agreement.
5. Get a Free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (employer identification number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. According to the IRS, you can get one directly from the IRS in minutes, and you never have to pay a fee for it.
Apply on IRS.gov. If a site asks you to pay for an EIN, you’re paying for something the IRS gives away.
Do this after your LLC is approved, so your legal name and details match.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
With your approved Articles, your EIN and your operating agreement in hand, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business and personal money separate is one of the simplest ways to protect your LLC’s separate status, and it makes tax time easier.
Online business banking is one option for small LLCs. Novo is one account worth comparing. Check each bank’s current requirements and fees, and bring your formation documents and EIN confirmation.
7. Put the Annual Report on Your Calendar
According to the West Virginia Secretary of State, every West Virginia LLC files an annual report and pays the $25 fee between January 1 and July 1 of each year after the year it registered. If you form in October 2026, your first report window is January 1 to July 1, 2027.
The part that trips people up is the calendar, not the paperwork. Set a reminder now.
How to Start an LLC in West Virginia Yourself or With a Formation Service
You can complete every step above on your own with the state’s tools and the IRS site. Here’s the first-year cost to the state:
- DIY: $100 state filing fee (EIN: $0)
- With a service: the $100 state fee plus whatever the service charges
Service fees and packages vary, so see our formation services comparison for current prices.
What does a service add? Typically:
- Preparing and submitting the filing for you
- A guided questionnaire so you don’t miss a field
- Optional registered agent service
- Reminders for ongoing filings
- Template documents, such as an operating agreement
If you want that convenience, Bizee is one service to look at. You can read our walkthrough of forming with Bizee first. We may earn a commission if you sign up, which doesn’t change what the state charges.
A service makes the most sense if you’re short on time, uneasy about paperwork, or want a registered agent without a West Virginia address. If you’re comfortable filling in a short form, you can skip it.
Watch the add-ons. Rush processing, extra document packages and EIN filing are common upsells, and the EIN is free directly from the IRS.
Keeping Your West Virginia LLC in Good Standing
Forming is only the first step. To keep the LLC active, do these things each year:
- File the annual report between January 1 and July 1 and pay the $25 fee, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State.
- Keep your registered agent and addresses current. If either changes, check the Secretary of State’s website for how to update it.
- Keep business finances separate from personal finances.
- Keep your records in one place: Articles, operating agreement, EIN confirmation and annual report receipts.
Late filing can bring penalties or affect your LLC’s status. For the current late fee and the consequences of missing the deadline, check the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division’s website. Also check with the state about any business licenses or tax registrations your type of business needs. Those are separate from forming the LLC.
Comparing West Virginia with other states? Our LLC filing fees by state roundup puts the numbers side by side.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in West Virginia?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1) is $100, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division. The EIN is free from the IRS. A formation service is optional and adds its own fee.
How much is the West Virginia LLC annual report?
The annual report fee is $25 every year, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State. It’s due between January 1 and July 1 of each year after the year you registered. The fee is waived for four years for qualifying veteran-owned businesses.
Do I need a lawyer or formation service to form an LLC in West Virginia?
No. You can file Form LLD-1 yourself with the Secretary of State. A service or an attorney can be useful for convenience or for complex situations, but neither is required to file.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free and never have to pay a fee. Apply through IRS.gov.
When is my first annual report due?
It’s due in the year after you form, between January 1 and July 1. If you form your LLC in 2026, your first window is January 1 to July 1, 2027.
Your Next Step
Ready to move? Read our 7-step incorporation overview, then pull up Form LLD-1 on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website and start with your name search.
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.
