How to Form an LLC in Virginia (2026 Guide)
Last updated: July 21, 2026
Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current Virginia requirements with the state and a licensed pro before filing.
Virginia is affordable and low-maintenance, with one detail to know: it's picky about who can be your registered agent. Here's the whole process in plain English, written for people starting something real like a courier route.
How to start a Virginia LLC in 6 steps
Name it, appoint a qualifying registered agent, file the Articles ($100), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then pay the $50 annual registration fee.
Name your Virginia LLC
Your name must be distinguishable from other Virginia businesses and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Search it in the State Corporation Commission's business database first so your filing isn't rejected, and grab the matching domain.
Appoint a Virginia registered agent
Virginia is stricter than most states here. Your registered agent must have a physical Virginia address and be either a member or manager of the LLC, a Virginia-licensed attorney, or a registered agent business authorized in Virginia. Because of those rules, many owners use a commercial service. Northwest qualifies and includes it free the first year with their $39 filing.
File the Articles of Organization
This is the document that creates your LLC. File it with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and pay the $100 filing fee. Filing online through the Clerk's Information System (CIS) is fastest. Often just a few business days.
Write an operating agreement
Virginia doesn't require one, but create it anyway. It sets out ownership and management, backs up your liability protection, and banks usually want to see it. A filled-in template covers most single-owner courier businesses.
Get a free EIN from the IRS
Get your EIN free at irs.gov in a few minutes. You need it for a business bank account and taxes. Never pay a third party for one.
Pay the $50 annual registration fee
Virginia doesn't make you file a full annual report. Instead you pay a $50 annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission by the last day of your anniversary month each year. Miss it and Virginia can cancel your LLC's existence, so set a reminder.
Virginia LLC cost breakdown
$100 to form and $50 a year. One of the more affordable states, with no full annual report.
| Item | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 one-time | Yes |
| EIN | Free from the IRS | Yes (free) |
| Registered agent service | $0 (if you qualify) , $300/yr | No |
| Annual registration fee | $50/yr (anniversary month) | Yes |
Virginia figures as of 2026. Verify current amounts at scc.virginia.gov before filing.
Setting up to run courier routes in Virginia?
The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest. Insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Virginia clinics, labs, and hospitals.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialVirginia LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Virginia?
The Articles of Organization fee is a one-time $100. Your EIN is free, so many Virginia LLCs cost about $100 to form, then a $50 annual registration fee each year.
Does Virginia have an annual report?
Not a full one. Virginia charges a $50 annual registration fee instead, due by the last day of your anniversary month. It's a payment to stay active rather than an information filing.
Who can be a registered agent in Virginia?
Someone with a physical Virginia address who is a member/manager of the LLC, a Virginia-licensed attorney, or an authorized registered agent business. That's stricter than many states, so many owners use a commercial service.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Virginia?
Online filings through the Clerk's Information System are often processed within a few business days, sometimes same day. Mail takes longer.
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