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West Virginia Articles of Organization | LLC School
West Virginia LLC · Step 3 of 8 · Check current official instructions

West Virginia Articles of Organization (2026)

Articles create the LLC when effective under state law. The fee is $100 paper or $101 online, including the $1 portal fee. Tax registration is a separate obligation.

Ahmad AdilWritten by Ahmad Adil, LLC School · Check current official instructions
WV CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
Quick Answer

File Articles with the Secretary of State. Budget $100 paper or $101 online, plus optional expedited service. Check the current queue and cutoff rather than relying on a guaranteed turnaround. Tax Division registration is separate from Articles and the IRS EIN. The usual certificate fee is $30 per required registration; certificate exemptions and fee exemptions differ. A very small business qualifies for the certificate exception only if prior-year gross income from all states was $4,000 or less, it need not collect/withhold any tax, and it claims no sales/use-tax purchase exemption. Check the other narrow statutory exceptions. Fee exemptions include qualifying nonprofits, government and farming/agriculture; withholding-only cases have separate rules.

Step 3 — Fast Facts
Filing fee (mail)
$100
Filing fee (online)
$101 (+$1 Portal Fee)
Processing time
Check current SOS queue and service cutoff
Expedite tiers
$25 (24-hr) to $500 (1-hr)
Business Registration Certificate
Separate Tax Division obligation; exceptions apply
Portal
One Stop Business Portal

What the Articles of Organization Do

Formation establishes the entity when the filing becomes effective. Liability depends on law and conduct; banks set their own document and approval requirements.

File Both Together: Articles + Business Registration Certificate

Tax Division registration is separate from Articles and the IRS EIN. The usual certificate fee is $30 per required registration; certificate exemptions and fee exemptions differ. A very small business qualifies for the certificate exception only if prior-year gross income from all states was $4,000 or less, it need not collect/withhold any tax, and it claims no sales/use-tax purchase exemption. Check the other narrow statutory exceptions. Fee exemptions include qualifying nonprofits, government and farming/agriculture; withholding-only cases have separate rules.

The Filing Walkthrough

1

Start at the One Stop Business Portal

The One Stop portal routes separate agency applications. Confirm each submission and approval.

2

Complete the Articles of Organization

Section 31B-2-203 requires the LLC name; initial designated West Virginia office if any and principal-office mailing address; initial Agent for Service of Process name/address if any; each organizer and each member authorized to execute instruments with addresses; whether a term company and its term; whether manager-managed and each initial manager with address; any member liability under section 31B-3-303(c); purpose; and reminder email unless technically unable. Complete the required execution and filing fee. Optional provisions cannot override nonwaivable law.

3

Complete applicable Tax Division registration separately

Review certificate and fee exceptions. A portal session does not automatically complete every registration.

4

Pay and submit

Articles: $101 online. Add the certificate fee only when applicable, and optional expedited-service charges.

5

Download your confirmed documents

Retain approved Articles and each separate registration confirmation. Check your bank’s document list.

Every Line of the Articles

1

LLC name

With "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company," distinguishable on state records — verified in Step 1.

2

Agent for service of process & address

Initial agent name and address, if any; apply section 31B-1-108.

3

Principal office address

Principal-office mailing address and initial designated West Virginia office, if any.

4

Organizers and authorized members

List each organizer and each member authorized to execute instruments, with addresses. Include the other statutory fields below.

5

Payment

Articles $100 paper / $101 online; conditional certificate fee and optional expedite are separate.

Expedited Options

Registration and filing checklist

Choose a service level for an actual deadline. Formation and Tax Division registration are separate approvals; confirm both when required.

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Next Step · Step 4 of 8
Create Your Operating Agreement
Override West Virginia's default rules and satisfy your bank — free.
Step 4: Agreement

Complete statutory Articles checklist

Section 31B-2-203 requires the LLC name; initial designated West Virginia office if any and principal-office mailing address; initial Agent for Service of Process name/address if any; each organizer and each member authorized to execute instruments with addresses; whether a term company and its term; whether manager-managed and each initial manager with address; any member liability under section 31B-3-303(c); purpose; and reminder email unless technically unable. Complete the required execution and filing fee. Optional provisions cannot override nonwaivable law.

Official requirements and instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

West Virginia LLC — FAQ

How much does it cost to file West Virginia Articles of Organization?
Articles cost $100 paper or $101 online including the $1 portal fee. Conditional Tax Division registration and optional expedite are separate.
How long does West Virginia LLC approval take?
Processing varies with the current queue and service cutoff. Check SOS before committing to a deadline; expedited service is an add-on.
What information do the West Virginia Articles of Organization require?
Section 31B-2-203 requires the LLC name; initial designated West Virginia office if any and principal-office mailing address; initial Agent for Service of Process name/address if any; each organizer and each member authorized to execute instruments with addresses; whether a term company and its term; whether manager-managed and each initial manager with address; any member liability under section 31B-3-303(c); purpose; and reminder email unless technically unable. Complete the required execution and filing fee. Optional provisions cannot override nonwaivable law.
Where do I file West Virginia Articles of Organization?
File online through One Stop or submit the SOS paper form. Tax Division registration is a separate application even when the portal routes both.
Do I need anything besides the Articles of Organization to form a West Virginia LLC?
Effective Articles create the LLC. Tax registration, licenses and employer accounts are separate operating requirements; certificate and fee exceptions may apply.
How much does expedited processing cost in West Virginia?
Three tiers: $25 for 24-hour service, $250 for 2-hour service, or $500 for 1-hour service — on top of your standard filing fees.
What happens after my West Virginia Articles are approved?
Retain approved Articles, adopt suitable company records, use the eligible free IRS EIN route and complete separate state/local registrations when applicable.
Ahmad Adil, founder of LLC School
About the Author
Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. For filing and ongoing compliance, confirm the requirements with the responsible state agency. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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