How much does it cost to start an LLC in Virginia?

The Virginia State Corporation Commission charges a $100 filing fee for Articles of Organization. Your total first-year cost is $150 once you add the $50 annual registration fee due by the last day of your anniversary month. For example, if you form your LLC in May, your first $50 annual registration fee is due by May 31 of the following year, and every May 31 thereafter. Additional costs may include registered agent services, operating agreement preparation, and any required state or local business licenses for your industry. Virginia's annual registration fee may vary based on the number of members listed in the annual report, so confirm the exact amount with the State Corporation Commission when filing. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by Virginia, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File online at scc.virginia.gov to avoid mail transit. Virginia publishes no standard turnaround, but it does sell Next Day review for $50 and Same Day for $100.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Virginia?

Virginia publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. The SCC publishes no standard turnaround for ordinary filings; it says "We encourage you to file online to save time and prevent processing errors" and offers paid Next Day and Same Day review. Expedited service is unavailable for paper submissions, expedite fees are nonrefundable, and resubmissions are not automatically expedited. What the Virginia State Corporation Commission does publish is a price for speed: $50 for Next Day (submit by 2:00 PM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the following business day; online filings only), and $200 for Same Day (submit by 10:00 AM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the same business day; online filings only). Those are firm commitments, and they are the only way to get a guaranteed date. File online where the state offers it. Every state that discusses the difference says online is faster than mail, and treat any specific day count you see quoted for Virginia as unsourced.

Do I need a registered agent in Virginia?

Yes, every Virginia LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical Virginia street address at all times. The registered agent, listed in your Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, receives legal documents, official government notices, and service of process on behalf of your LLC. For example, if a customer or vendor files a lawsuit against your LLC, the summons is delivered to your registered agent's address, so that person or company must be reliably present during business hours. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a physical Virginia address and are consistently available during normal business hours. Exception: Virginia LLCs owned by out-of-state residents must hire a professional Virginia registered agent service, since a personal Virginia address is required. File at scc.virginia.gov to designate your registered agent during formation.

Should a Virginia LLC have an operating agreement?

This page has not confirmed whether Virginia law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. An operating agreement defines ownership percentages, management authority, profit and loss distribution, voting rights, and procedures for adding or removing members. Without one, Virginia's default LLC statutes govern these matters, which may not align with your business intentions. For example, if a two-member Virginia LLC lacks an operating agreement and one member wants to exit, state default rules determine the buyout process. Which can lead to costly disputes. Exception: single-member LLCs benefit from operating agreements primarily for tax and liability purposes, not dispute resolution, since there's only one owner. Even so, operating agreements help demonstrate the separation between personal and business assets. File your Articles of Organization at scc.virginia.gov to form your LLC.

What is Virginia's annual report requirement for LLCs?

Virginia LLCs must file an annual report, called an annual registration, by the last day of their anniversary month each year, paid to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The annual registration fee is $50 for a standard single-member LLC. For example, if you filed your Articles of Organization on June 15, your annual registration is due by June 30 each year thereafter. The filing updates basic information such as your registered agent, principal office address, and member or manager details. Filing online at scc.virginia.gov is the fastest method and generates immediate confirmation. Exception: the annual registration fee may be higher for LLCs with more members, the Virginia State Corporation Commission bases the fee on the number of members listed in the annual report. Failure to file by the last day of your anniversary month results in administrative dissolution after a grace period.

Does Virginia have publication requirements for LLCs?

No, Virginia doesn't require LLCs to publish formation notices in any newspaper or legal publication. Filing your Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission is the only mandatory public disclosure step for forming a Virginia LLC. This makes Virginia significantly more affordable than states with publication requirements. For example, New York requires publication in two local newspapers for six consecutive weeks, at rates the newspapers set, and Arizona requires three consecutive newspaper publications unless the LLC's statutory agent has a street address in Maricopa or Pima County, where the state currently posts the notice online for free. Virginia founders avoid these costs and administrative burdens entirely, completing their formation for the $100 state filing fee. Exception: certain regulated industries in Virginia, such as financial services or healthcare, may have additional disclosure requirements imposed by their specific licensing boards that go beyond the State Corporation Commission's process. Confirm with your industry regulator before filing.

How to Start an LLC in Virginia: Complete 2026 Guide

Form your Virginia LLC quickly with our step-by-step process.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in Virginia costs $100 upfront and has an annual report due last day of anniversary month ($50). Virginia publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

Virginia publishes no standard LLC turnaround: its fee schedule prices expedited service but attaches no figure to the ordinary $100 filing

The Virginia State Corporation Commission sells speed instead of promising it: $50 for Next Day (submit by 2:00 PM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the following business day; online filings only), and $200 for Same Day (submit by 10:00 AM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the same business day; online filings only). Treat any specific day count you see quoted for Virginia with suspicion. It didn't come from the state. Plan around the filing itself, and buy an expedite tier if your timing is genuinely fixed.

Source: MyStateLLC 50-state primary-source processing verification, July 2026

Read this guide for another state:

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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$100
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	Last day of anniversary month
Annual report fee	$50
State income tax	Members pay 2% to 5.75% on pass-through profits, with the top rate starting at $17,000

Source: Virginia State Corporation Commission (verified June 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in Virginia, showing the 7 required steps, $100 state filing fee, $50 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in Virginia, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: Virginia State Corporation Commission, verified June 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your Virginia LLC Name
Select a unique business name that includes 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' and isn't already taken in Virginia. Check name availability using the Virginia State Corporation Commission's business entity search tool. Your name must be distinguishable from existing businesses registered in Virginia.
How to search Virginia's business entity records →
Pro tip: Consider reserving your name for $10 if you're not ready to file immediately - Virginia allows 120-day name reservations.
2
Appoint a Virginia Registered Agent
Designate a registered agent with a physical Virginia address who can receive legal documents during business hours. This can be yourself, a Virginia resident, or a professional registered agent service. The agent must be available at the registered address during normal business hours.
Virginia registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: A professional registered agent service puts its address, not yours, on the registered agent line of the public filing, and accepts legal papers during business hours.
3
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Virginia State Corporation Commission online or by mail with the $100 filing fee.
What You File in Virginia
In Virginia, the formation document is the Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011), filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office. The state filing fee is $100. Virginia lets you fill in and file the Articles of Organization online. The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered agent's name, the registered office address, the principal office address, the organizer's name and the county. Every line of the Articles of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, Virginia State Corporation Commission states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, Virginia State Corporation Commission states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $50 for Next Day (submit by 2:00 PM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the following business day; online filings only), and $200 for Same Day (submit by 10:00 AM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the same business day; online filings only)
Pro tip: File online at scc.virginia.gov for the fastest processing and immediate confirmation of your submission.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
Draft an operating agreement that outlines ownership structure, member responsibilities, profit distribution, and business procedures. This page has not confirmed whether Virginia law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way: it records who owns what share, who makes decisions and how profits are divided.
Virginia LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs should have an operating agreement to establish the separation between personal and business assets.
5
Obtain an EIN from the IRS
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly through the IRS website at no cost. Most banks ask for this federal tax ID to open a business bank account, and the IRS requires one if the LLC hires employees, owes certain employment or excise taxes, or is taxed as a partnership or corporation. The process is free and typically takes just a few minutes online.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Get your EIN immediately after your LLC is approved - you'll need it for almost every business banking and tax-related activity.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Separate your personal and business finances by opening a dedicated business bank account using your EIN and Articles of Organization. Virginia banks typically require these documents plus your operating agreement and identification to open business accounts.
Business bank accounts for Virginia LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business accounts - many Virginia banks offer special incentives and fee waivers for new LLCs.
7
Obtain Required Business Licenses
Research and obtain any industry-specific licenses or permits required for your business type in Virginia. Check with Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and your local city or county offices for applicable requirements.
Does your Virginia LLC need a business license? →
Pro tip: Virginia's Business One Stop portal can help identify most licensing requirements based on your business type and location.

Watch: How to Start an LLC in Virginia (2026): Step-by-Step Guide

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It reports what each Secretary of State publishes for forming an LLC, with the sources this page cites. It cannot tell you what your own filing needs: fees and forms change between our reviews, several occupations cannot use an ordinary LLC at all and must use a professional entity, and your city or county may require a registration of its own. Confirm the current fee and form with the filing office named on this page before you send anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

: The Virginia State Corporation Commission charges a $100 filing fee for Articles of Organization. Your total first-year cost is $150 once you add the $50 annual registration fee due by the last day of your anniversary month. For example, if you form your LLC in May, your first $50 annual registration fee is due by May 31 of the following year, and every May 31 thereafter. Additional costs may include registered agent services, operating agreement preparation, and any required state or local business licenses for your industry. Virginia's annual registration fee may vary based on the number of members listed in the annual report, so confirm the exact amount with the State Corporation Commission when filing. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by Virginia, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File online at scc.virginia.gov to avoid mail transit. Virginia publishes no standard turnaround, but it does sell Next Day review for $50 and Same Day for $100.
: Virginia publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. The SCC publishes no standard turnaround for ordinary filings; it says "We encourage you to file online to save time and prevent processing errors" and offers paid Next Day and Same Day review. Expedited service is unavailable for paper submissions, expedite fees are nonrefundable, and resubmissions are not automatically expedited. What the Virginia State Corporation Commission does publish is a price for speed: $50 for Next Day (submit by 2:00 PM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the following business day; online filings only), and $200 for Same Day (submit by 10:00 AM EST for a filing response by 4:00 PM EST the same business day; online filings only). Those are firm commitments, and they are the only way to get a guaranteed date. File online where the state offers it. Every state that discusses the difference says online is faster than mail, and treat any specific day count you see quoted for Virginia as unsourced.
: Yes, every Virginia LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical Virginia street address at all times. The registered agent, listed in your Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, receives legal documents, official government notices, and service of process on behalf of your LLC. For example, if a customer or vendor files a lawsuit against your LLC, the summons is delivered to your registered agent's address, so that person or company must be reliably present during business hours. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a physical Virginia address and are consistently available during normal business hours. Exception: Virginia LLCs owned by out-of-state residents must hire a professional Virginia registered agent service, since a personal Virginia address is required. File at scc.virginia.gov to designate your registered agent during formation.
: This page has not confirmed whether Virginia law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. An operating agreement defines ownership percentages, management authority, profit and loss distribution, voting rights, and procedures for adding or removing members. Without one, Virginia's default LLC statutes govern these matters, which may not align with your business intentions. For example, if a two-member Virginia LLC lacks an operating agreement and one member wants to exit, state default rules determine the buyout process. Which can lead to costly disputes. Exception: single-member LLCs benefit from operating agreements primarily for tax and liability purposes, not dispute resolution, since there's only one owner. Even so, operating agreements help demonstrate the separation between personal and business assets. File your Articles of Organization at scc.virginia.gov to form your LLC.
: Virginia LLCs must file an annual report, called an annual registration, by the last day of their anniversary month each year, paid to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The annual registration fee is $50 for a standard single-member LLC. For example, if you filed your Articles of Organization on June 15, your annual registration is due by June 30 each year thereafter. The filing updates basic information such as your registered agent, principal office address, and member or manager details. Filing online at scc.virginia.gov is the fastest method and generates immediate confirmation. Exception: the annual registration fee may be higher for LLCs with more members, the Virginia State Corporation Commission bases the fee on the number of members listed in the annual report. Failure to file by the last day of your anniversary month results in administrative dissolution after a grace period.
: No, Virginia doesn't require LLCs to publish formation notices in any newspaper or legal publication. Filing your Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission is the only mandatory public disclosure step for forming a Virginia LLC. This makes Virginia significantly more affordable than states with publication requirements. For example, New York requires publication in two local newspapers for six consecutive weeks, at rates the newspapers set, and Arizona requires three consecutive newspaper publications unless the LLC's statutory agent has a street address in Maricopa or Pima County, where the state currently posts the notice online for free. Virginia founders avoid these costs and administrative burdens entirely, completing their formation for the $100 state filing fee. Exception: certain regulated industries in Virginia, such as financial services or healthcare, may have additional disclosure requirements imposed by their specific licensing boards that go beyond the State Corporation Commission's process. Confirm with your industry regulator before filing.

Sources

4 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Virginia sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so.

scc.virginia.gov/businesses/Virginia State Corporation Commission: business entity filings
scc.virginia.gov/businesses/forms-and-fees/virginia-limited-liability-companies/Virginia LLC filing fees
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title13.1/chapter12/section13.1-1062/Virginia statute: Annual Registration Fee
scc.virginia.gov/media/sccvirginiagov-home/business-home/business-faqs/annual-registration-fees/how-to-guide-pay-annual-reg-fees-online.pdfVirginia agency guidance: Annual Registration Fee

More for Virginia LLCs

Ready to Form Your Virginia LLC?

$39 with Northwest, plus your $100 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($100 state fee, no service fee)

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

How to Start an LLC in Virginia: Complete 2026 Guide

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Virginia LLC Name

Appoint a Virginia Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in Virginia

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Virginia LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Virginia LLC?

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Virginia LLC Name

Appoint a Virginia Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in Virginia

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Virginia LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Virginia LLC?

More Virginia LLC Guides

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