How to File the West Virginia LLC Articles of Organization
The West Virginia Articles of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File the West Virginia LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the West Virginia Articles of Organization is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the West Virginia LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization
- File the Articles of Organization
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your West Virginia Articles of Organization, or you can create an account and file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your West Virginia Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create an account with West Virginia’s One Stop Business Portal. Select “Register a Business” from the top toolbar, then select the “Register a Business” button. Fill out the required basic information.
Create Account- OR -
Option 2: Download the Articles of Organization PDF from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website. This form will need to be mailed to one of three Business Service Centers or submitted in-person.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the West Virginia Articles of Organization form. There are ten main “Articles.”
You will need to know the following information to complete the form:
- Entity Name and Type
- Office Address
- Agent of Process Information
- Organizer Information
- LLC Duration and Articles of Organization Effective Date
- Governing Authority Type
- Member Liability
- Business Purpose
- Veteran-Owned Status
Entity Name and Type
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- meets West Virginia naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in West Virginia.
Follow the West Virginia Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.). "Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd." and "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."
- Your name cannot include any of the following: incorporated, corporation, company, limited, inc., corp., co., or ltd.
- Your name cannot contain any word or phrase which implies that the LLC is organized for any purpose other than the one stated in its articles of organization.
- The terms “banking” or “insurance” cannot be used in the business name if the business activity does not include “banking” or “insurance.”
- Words such as “engineer” or “engineering” may only be used if the purpose is to practice professional engineering and one of the principals is a registered West Virginia professional engineer.
- Some other licensed professions have specific requirements and prohibitions.
- Your name cannot include “911.”
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes West Virginia reserved names.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in West Virginia? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the West Virginia Comptroller of Public Accounts website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in West Virginia guide.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Office Address
You must provide the address of the company’s principal office, its designated office, and a mailing address if different.
Agent for Service of Process Information
An agent of process, known as a registered agent in most states, accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf.
Your agent of process can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in West Virginia. Your agent of process must always be available at the registered office during normal business hours.
Your registered office address cannot be a P.O. box.
To learn more about choosing a West Virginia agent of process, read our How to Choose a West Virginia Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Organizer Information
You must list the names and addresses of the organizers of the LLC.
LLC Duration and Articles of Organization Effective Date
Select whether your LLC will operate for an indefinite period or if there is a scheduled dissolution date and also state whether you would like the Articles of Organization to become effective immediately upon filing or at a later date.
Governing Authority
You must state whether or not your LLC will have managers. If you do have managers, you must list each initial manager. If your LLC will be managed by its members, then you must list at least one member.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our
Management by Members or Managers guide.
Member Liability
State whether any members will be liable for any of the LLC’s debts, obligations, or liabilities.
Purpose
In West Virginia, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity. You can state “General Purpose” under Article 4.
Keep in mind that a business purpose that involves licensing, tax-exemption, or tax-deductible status requires special language from the IRS or a professional license.
Veteran-Owned Status
If your LLC meets the requirements to be designated as a “veteran-owned business,” it may be eligible for certain benefits.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the form online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail, by fax, by email, or in person.
File the West Virginia Articles of Organization
OPTION 1: Create or log into your account with West Virginia’s One Stop Business Portal. Select “Register a Business” from the top toolbar, then select the “Register a Business” button. Fill out the required fields and submit.
Create Account- OR -
OPTION 2: Download and submit Form LLD-1 online, by mail, by email, by fax, or in person. West Virginia provides three Business Centers where you can mail or deliver your form.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $100, payable to the West Virginia Secretary of State (Nonrefundable)
Filing Addresses:
Charleston Office
One-Stop Business Center
1615 Washington St. E.
Charleston, WV 25311
Clarksburg Office
North Central WV Business Center
200 W. Main St.
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Martinsburg Office
Eastern Panhandle Business Center
229 E. Martin St.
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Fax: (304) 558-8381
Email: CorpFilings@wvsos.gov
Steps After Your West Virginia LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A West Virginia LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In West Virginia, you aren’t required to have an Operating Agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC’s private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
If you are filing your LLC online, getting an EIN is included in the registration process on the WV One Stop Business Portal.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business' corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with West Virginia's Licenses, Permits, and Renewals website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of West Virginia Quick Links
West Virginia Online Business Filing
West Virginia Secretary of State Contact Form
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.