Organizing Partners:  Identify who will sign the statement of registration.

Agent of Process: Determine who will serve in West Virginia as the agent for service of process for the company.

Principal Office:  Determine the location of the principal office. 

Registered Office:  Determine the location of the designated office at a physical address within the state. 

Filing:  Complete your statement of registration and file with the Secretary of State.

Next Steps:  Complete other state, county and municipal filing requirements before you start business.

Identify who will act as organizing partners.

• One or more partners with authority to act for the company may sign the Statement of Registration.
• The names of the organizing partners will remain permanently on the company record.

Determine who will serve as the agent for service of process -- the person who will receive certified mail on behalf of the corporation in case of a legal action.  The agent must be listed with a physical address in West Virginia where mail can be received (not a post office box), and may be either:

• an individual resident of West Virginia;
• a company authorized to do business in this state (including a corporate service company).

The agent must be someone you trust to notify you immediately should a legal action be filed against the corporation.  Do not name a person or company which has not consented to act in that capacity.

A West Virginia limited liability partnership must have a principal office, but it is not required to be within the state. 

• If the new company does not have its own building address at the beginning, the address of the office or home from which business will be conducted may be used.
• Be sure to file an address change if the company moves, so you will be certain to receive all important correspondence.

All limited liability partnerships doing business in West Virginia are required to maintain a registered office continuously within the state.  The location is not required to be a place of business, but the company should be able to be contacted through the registered office.  The registered office may be the same as the principal office.

When you are ready to prepare the filing, click the icon to download the form using Acrobat Reader and fill it out on screen.  If you have not used the Reader before, see Acrobat Reader Help.

• You may file using the standard form or prepare your statement of registration in a standard document, but all required information must be included for the statement to be acceptable for filing.
• One copy with the original signatures of the organizing partner(s) must be filed.  If two originals are sent, one will be stamped and returned for your records.  If only one is sent, there will be additional charges to obtain a copy.
• The fee for filing is $250.  An annual renewal fee of $500 will be due at the end of one year.
• Submit your filing to the Business Organization's Division with your check payable to the Secretary of State.  See Ordering & Payment for more information.

After you receive your Certificate of Registration, there are a few more steps before you start business.

• Complete the Business Registration Application for filing with the Department of Tax and Revenue.
  • This form is a combined form which will allow you to obtain your business franchise certificate and complete initial registration to comply with unemployment and worker's compensation requirements.
  • On the first page of the application, the control number entered on the top right corner of the stamped copy of your original statement of registration must be entered.  This number is used by the Tax Department to confirm the company is registered as a limited liability partnership. 

• Determine whether any other state licenses are required for the type of business you do.  Some of the most common licenses and permit requirements are listed for your convenience with links or contact information for the agencies which issue those licenses or permits.  Go to:  Professional & Occupational Licenses or Other Licenses and Permits.  You may need to make inquiries to find other licenses.
• Licenses or registrations to do business may be required at the county or city level, especially in counties where your company has an office or plant location, provides services to customers on-site or conducts direct sales.  Contact the County Commission for county requirements, and the City Clerk for municipal requirements.