How to Find the Best Registered Agent (Agent of Process) in West Virginia

West Virginia Secretary of State requires you to appoint a registered agent so that they know someone is available during regular business hours to accept legal notices and important documents from the state, including:

• Articles of Organization – limited liability company (LLC) formation documents
• Articles of Incorporation – documents that a corporation files upon formation
• Annual report fee – due by July 1
• Certificate of Existence– proof of good standing in West Virginia
• West Virginia business franchise tax – expected by the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the taxable year

For no charge to your business, you can appoint anyone you want as long as they meet the registered agent requirements.

• Yourself
• LLC member
• Spouse

Appointing an outside commercial registered agent service will cost a company between $50 and $500 annually.

The West Virginia Articles of Organization form will ask for specific information.

• Registered agent name
• Registered agent address

The cost to file the Articles of Organization in West Virginia is $100.

The Secretary of State does offer some expedited business filing services.

• 24-hour – $25
• 2-hour –$250
• 1 hour – $500

The resignation form will as you to provide information including:

• Business name
• Registered agent name
• Statement of resignation
• Date
• Signature

• You shield your West Virginia liability protection

To maintain liability protection in West Virginia, you must remain in good standing.

You can become noncompliant if you submit your annual fee late or fail to respond to a subpoena.

By appointing a registered commercial agent, you’re accessing an up-to-date calendar that keeps tabs on due dates and helps you file the annual report fee on time.

• You’re safeguarding your personal address

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia work from a private office or home address.

By appointing themselves the registered agent, the personal address becomes the business address listed in the public record.

The public can use the West Virginia Business Entity Search and search using some of the following information:

The appointment of an outside professional agent means you can list the service’s address in the West Virginia Secretary of State business database rather than a personal one.

• You will maintain your good reputation

Process servers in West Virginia can come to your business unannounced to serve legal documents and summons.

A registered agent will accept documents that should remain private away from your business, providing peace of mind.

• You’re free to work flexible office hours

Chapter 31 of the West Virginia Statutes mandates that West Virginia registered agents must be physically available in an office during normal business hours to accept official correspondence from law firms and state agencies.

If you appoint yourself, you’re responsible for the required availability.

Commercial registered agent services have resident agents on staff and in the office Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, so you can have a flexible schedule.

• Constant access to the West Virginia Certificate of Existence

A bank will ask you to provide proof of your business’s good standing with the West Virginia Secretary of State to open a business bank account.

In West Virginia, the Certificate of Existence proves you’re compliant.

A registered agent service in West Virginia will provide 24-hour access to the Certificate of Existence and other formation documents to make doing business seamless.

• You can begin foreign LLC formation today

A West Virginia business expanding into other states will be required to appoint a registered agent upon business formation.

Having a registered agent appointed already lets you begin the foreign LLC formation immediately and efficiently.