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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

Foreign LLC guide · West Virginia

West Virginia Foreign LLC Registration (2026): What the State Charges and the 3 Best Services

If you are bringing an out-of-state LLC into the state in West Virginia in 2026, our recommendation is Mainstay Filing ($199), WV Registered Agent.org ($199) and West Virginia Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. To register an out-of-state LLC in West Virginia you pay $150 to the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division and then $25 with each report. Over three years that ranks 17th of 50.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

The West Virginia basics

17th

of 50 for registration plus later reports

States are ranked from lowest to highest (tied). Open the full comparison

  • Fee the state takes at registration

    $150

    Confirmed in October 2026: code.wvlegislature.gov

  • Report you must file again

    $25

    Annual report

  • Paper from the home state

    Required

    You need it when you file

  • What the state collects in 3 years

    $200

    The first filing and two years of upkeep

Who we recommend in West Virginia

We ordered the list with five criteria, and three-year fees and coverage count most (the method page covers the rest).

Our top choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for registering in several states

Their fee $199; later years $149

Mainstay Filing ranks first for you since $199 plus state fees covers the registration, and the agent for service of process costs nothing in year 1.

WV Registered Agent.org is $100 lower over three years, but this provider takes more of the state paperwork off your plate, and that is what moves it up.

From the second year, agent service costs you $149 a year.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares your registration and files it
  • One price wherever you file

What works

  • $199 on top of West Virginia's fee
  • Your next state is covered too

What to weigh

  • A renewal $50 above WV Registered Agent.org's
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

West Virginia specialist

2. WV Registered Agent.org: best for adding only West Virginia

Their fee $199; later years $99

In second place we put WV Registered Agent.org. You pay $199 plus the state fee, and your first agent year is included, then $99 a year for the agent.

What your money gets you

  • Files your West Virginia registration
  • A year of agent service

What works

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • $99 a year from year 2
  • The first agent year is free

What to weigh

  • West Virginia only; your home state needs its own agent
Visit WV Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

West Virginia specialist

3. West Virginia Registered Agent.co: best for a local filer

Their fee $199; later years $99

In third place we put West Virginia Registered Agent.co. You pay $199 plus the state fee, and your first agent year is included, then $99 a year for the agent.

It ties with WV Registered Agent.org on price.

What your money gets you

  • Files your West Virginia registration
  • A year of agent service

What works

  • The first agent year is free
  • $99 a year from year 2
  • $199 plus the state fee

What to weigh

  • West Virginia only; your home state needs its own agent
Visit West Virginia Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, one table

RankWhoYou pay in year 1Then per yearTheir fees across 3 years
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2WV Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit WV Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3West Virginia Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit West Virginia Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's own price page was open in front of us on November 13, 2026. Remember to add the $150 state fee to each row.

Registration cost calculator

The registration fee is $150, with a $25 report from year 2, and provider fees are added on top.
3 years with Mainstay Filing: you pay $200 to the state and $497 to the provider, $697 in all.

How West Virginia compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateThree-year foreign LLC fees
16thMinnesota$185
17thVirginia$200
17thWest Virginia$200
19thKansas$205
20thWisconsin$230
You will find all fifty rows at Foreign LLC fees by state.

West Virginia foreign LLC registration fee and form (official)

The West Virginia Application for Certificate of Authority of Limited Liability Company (LLF-1) plus $150 is what the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division wants from an LLC formed in another state. Your application must come with certificate of existence (good standing), dated in the current tax year.

Once registered, the LLC has to file the annual report ($25), June 30.

What to have ready

  • Certificate of existence (good standing), dated in the current tax year.
  • The exact legal name and formation date from your home state.
  • A agent for service of process located in the state, an item included with each pick.
  • A method for paying the $150 state charge.

Why the West Virginia list is in this order

Mainstay Filing pulled ahead of WV Registered Agent.org on upkeep the price covers, which is weighted 26%.

Your LLC already has a home state, so a provider that can serve both states earned the top score.

West Virginia FAQ

How much will it cost to register my out-of-state LLC with West Virginia?

$150 for the filing itself. Hiring one adds $199.

Which form do I use to register an out-of-state LLC with West Virginia?

Use the West Virginia Application for Certificate of Authority of Limited Liability Company (LLF-1) and send it to the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division.

Does the state want a certificate from my home state?

Yes, you need certificate of existence (good standing), dated in the current tax year.

Will my foreign LLC have to file anything every year?

Yes, you file the annual report and pay $25.

Must I appoint an agent for service of process when registering in West Virginia?

The statute says an LLC "may" keep an agent; the Articles ask for one "if any".

Which service should I choose to register a foreign LLC?

Start with Mainstay Filing: you pay $199 on top of the state fee, your agent for service of process is free in year 1, and then it is $149 a year. Then look at WV Registered Agent.org and West Virginia Registered Agent.co.

Related briefings

Where this briefing comes from

  1. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing, open business4.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in August 2026.
  2. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing, open business4.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in August 2026.
  3. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia yearly filing: Annual report: fee and, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  4. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia yearly filing: Annual report: fee and, open onestop.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  5. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia report due date, open code.wvlegislature.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in August 2026.
  6. If you want proof of what we say about W, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in August 2026.
  7. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia formation fee: Filing fee, official source, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  8. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia formation fee: Filing fee, official source, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  9. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia registered agent statute, open code.wvlegislature.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  10. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia SOS, register an out-of-state business, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  11. If you want proof of what we say about Form LLF-1, application for certificate of authority, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  12. If you want proof of what we say about W, open code.wvlegislature.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  13. If you want proof of what we say about W, open code.wvlegislature.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  14. If you want proof of what we say about W, open code.wvlegislature.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  15. If you want proof of what we say about West Virginia SOS, cancel or withdraw a foreign, open sos.wv.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  16. If you want proof of what we say about Minnesota Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms, open sos.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  17. If you want proof of what we say about Foreign LLC certificate of authority form, open sos.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  18. If you want proof of what we say about Business filing and certification fee schedule, open sos.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  19. If you want proof of what we say about Minnesota Statutes § 322C.0802, certificate of authority, open revisor.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  20. If you want proof of what we say about Minnesota Statutes § 322C.0803, activities that are not, open revisor.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  21. If you want proof of what we say about Minnesota Statutes § 322C.0808, consequences, open revisor.mn.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  22. If you want proof of what we say about SCC, foreign limited liability company forms and fees, open scc.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  23. If you want proof of what we say about SCC, foreign business entities FAQ, open scc.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  24. If you want proof of what we say about SCC, foreign registration checklist, open scc.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  25. If you want proof of what we say about Code of Virginia § 13.1-1052, application for registration, open law.lis.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  26. If you want proof of what we say about Code of Virginia § 13.1-1059, activities that are, open law.lis.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  27. If you want proof of what we say about Code of Virginia § 13.1-1057, consequences of transacting, open law.lis.virginia.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  28. If you want proof of what we say about Kansas Secretary of State, register a business, open sos.ks.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  29. If you want proof of what we say about Form FA, foreign business application, open sos.ks.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  30. If you want proof of what we say about K.S.A. 17-7932, activities that are not doing business, open ksrevisor.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  31. If you want proof of what we say about K.S.A. 17-76,126, effect of failing to register, open ksrevisor.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  32. If you want proof of what we say about Kansas Secretary of State, information reports, open sos.ks.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  33. If you want proof of what we say about DFI Form 521, foreign registration statement for an, open dfi.wi.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  34. If you want proof of what we say about DFI fees, open dfi.wi.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  35. If you want proof of what we say about DFI file online, open dfi.wi.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  36. If you want proof of what we say about Wis, open docs.legis.wisconsin.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  37. If you want proof of what we say about Wis, open docs.legis.wisconsin.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  38. If you want proof of what we say about DFI Form 524, withdrawal of registration, open dfi.wi.gov; that is the page we relied on, and we looked at it in October 2026.
  39. The page we used for Mainstay Filing (West Virginia service page) was open to us on November 13, 2026
  40. The page we used for WV Registered Agent.org (pricing page) was open to us on November 13, 2026
  41. The page we used for West Virginia Registered Agent.co (pricing page) was open to us on November 13, 2026