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West Virginia LLC · Step 3 of 8 · Verified July 2026

West Virginia Articles of Organization (2026)

The Articles of Organization is the filing that creates your West Virginia LLC — $100 by mail or $101 online, best filed together with your required Business Registration Certificate through the One Stop Business Portal.

Ahmad Adil Written & verified by Ahmad Adil, LLC School·Updated July 2026
Quick Answer

File Articles of Organization with the West Virginia Secretary of State to create your LLC. The fee is $100 by mail or $101 online (a $1 Portal Fee). Processing typically takes 5–10 business days for both methods. Expedited processing is available in tiers: 24-hour ($25), 2-hour ($250), or 1-hour ($500). You'll also need a Business Registration Certificate ($30) from the State Tax Division — filing through the One Stop Business Portal handles both in a single process.

WV Articles Fast Facts
Filing fee (mail)
$100
Filing fee (online)
$101 (+$1 Portal Fee)
Processing time
5–10 business days
Expedite tiers
$25 (24-hr) to $500 (1-hr)
Business Registration Certificate
$30 — required, separate
Portal
One Stop Business Portal

What the Articles of Organization Do

The Articles of Organization are your LLC's birth certificate. When the Secretary of State accepts your filing, your LLC exists: liability protection attaches, the name is claimed, and you can bank and contract as the company.

File Both Together: Articles + Business Registration Certificate

Don't stop at your Articles of Organization alone. Every West Virginia LLC also needs a Business Registration Certificate ($30) from the State Tax Division — a genuinely separate requirement, easy to overlook if you only focus on the Secretary of State filing. The One Stop Business Portal is designed to handle both in a single online session, which is the cleanest way to avoid missing this step entirely.

The Filing Walkthrough

1

Start at the One Stop Business Portal

West Virginia's unified online system for both your Articles of Organization and your Business Registration Certificate.

2

Complete the Articles of Organization

Name, agent for service of process, principal office address, organizer information.

3

Complete the Business Registration Certificate in the same session

A short additional form covering your business activities — bundled into the same portal flow.

4

Pay and submit

$101 total online for the Articles ($100 + $1 Portal Fee), plus $30 for the Business Registration Certificate.

5

Download your confirmed documents

Save both approvals — your bank will want the Articles alongside your EIN letter.

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

Name of your agent and their West Virginia street address.

3

Principal office address

Your LLC's main business address.

4

Organizer signature

The person filing the Articles — doesn't have to be a member or manager.

5

Payment

$100 mail / $101 online, plus $30 for the Business Registration Certificate, plus any expedite fee.

Expedited Options

West Virginia Expedite Decision Tool

Standard is 5–10 business days — do you need faster?

Total Cost
$101

We only recommend paying for expedited service when you have a real deadline — a bank meeting, contract start date, or financing timeline.

Ahmad Adil's Take: West Virginia's tiered expedite options are genuinely more flexible than most states — you can pay a modest $25 for next-day service, or go all the way to a $500 one-hour turnaround if you truly need it. But that top tier is a real premium; save it for a genuine same-day deadline, like a closing or urgent financing requirement, rather than ordinary impatience. And whatever speed you choose, don't forget the Business Registration Certificate — it's just as required as the Articles themselves, even though it's easy to treat as an afterthought.

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Next Step · Step 4 of 8
Create Your Operating Agreement
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Step 4: Agreement
Frequently Asked Questions

West Virginia LLC — FAQ

How much does it cost to file West Virginia Articles of Organization?
$100 by mail, or $101 online (which includes a $1 Portal Fee). This is separate from the required $30 Business Registration Certificate.
How long does West Virginia LLC approval take?
Standard processing takes about 5–10 business days for both online and mail filings. Expedited options are available: 24-hour ($25), 2-hour ($250), or 1-hour ($500).
What information do the West Virginia Articles of Organization require?
Your LLC name, agent for service of process and their West Virginia address, principal office address, and organizer information — plus the filing fee.
Where do I file West Virginia Articles of Organization?
Through the One Stop Business Portal online (which also handles your Business Registration Certificate in the same session), or by mail to the Secretary of State.
Do I need anything besides the Articles of Organization to form a West Virginia LLC?
Yes — a Business Registration Certificate ($30) from the State Tax Division is also required. Filing through the One Stop Business Portal lets you complete both in one process.
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?
Save the confirmed Articles and Business Registration Certificate, draft your operating agreement, get your free EIN at IRS.gov, and register with the State Tax Division as applicable.
Ahmad Adil, founder of LLC School
About the Author
Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The figures here — the $100 Articles of Organization, the $25 annual report due Jan 1–Jun 30, and the veteran-owned business fee waiver — reflect current West Virginia Secretary of State guidance. This is educational content, not legal or tax advice.

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