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Virginia LLC formation

How to Start an LLC in Virginia

A step-by-step 2026 guide to the Articles of Organization, registered agent, state costs and essential setup after approval.

Chris Jackson, business attorney
Chris Jackson, Esq.California business attorney · 30+ years of experience
Reviewed August 2026
THE SHORT ANSWER

Choose an available name and registered agent, then file the Articles of Organization.

After approval, prepare the operating agreement, obtain an EIN when appropriate, open a separate bank account and document the LLC's initial funding. Then maintain the company through Virginia's ongoing filing and tax requirements.

Watch Chris form a Virginia LLC step by stepWatch on YouTube ↗

Step by step

How to form the Virginia LLC.

02

Appoint a registered agent

The agent receives official and legal documents and generally needs a physical address in Virginia. Bizee includes registered-agent service for the first year with an eligible formation; review the renewal terms.

03

File the Articles of Organization

Provide the required LLC, registered-agent, address and organizer information and pay the current state filing fee, listed below as $100.

Bizee's Basic option has a $0 formation service fee plus the state fee. Chris generally recommends reviewing Standard when you want EIN preparation and core startup documents included.

04

Prepare the operating agreement

Document ownership, management, authority and financial rules even when the agreement is not filed publicly. Choose a free starting point, a more comprehensive template or custom drafting based on the LLC's needs.

05

Complete the EIN, banking and funding setup

Obtain the EIN when appropriate, open a separate company account and document money entering the LLC as revenue, a contribution, a loan or another properly classified transaction.

Virginia-specific point

Virginia uses an annual registration fee rather than a conventional narrative annual report for domestic LLCs.

Virginia LLC at a glance

The principal formation and maintenance items.

FORMATION DOCUMENTArticles of OrganizationFiled with the state
STATE FILING FEE$100Verify before filing
REGISTERED AGENTRequiredState address requirements apply
OPERATING AGREEMENTRecommendedKept with company records
ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE$50Due annually to maintain good standing
VIDEO GUIDEIncludedEmbedded above

Fees and requirements can change. Confirm current information with the official Virginia filing office ↗.

Costs and maintenance

Separate the one-time formation cost from recurring obligations.

The current state formation fee is listed as $100. The principal recurring item shown above is $50, but taxes, licenses, registered-agent service and local requirements may add cost depending on the LLC's activities.

Virginia uses an annual registration fee rather than a conventional narrative annual report for domestic LLCs.

After approval

Formation is only the beginning.

The filing creates the entity. The operating agreement, EIN, bank account, funding records, licenses, insurance and recurring compliance turn it into an organized business.

Common questions

Virginia LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to form a Virginia LLC?+

The current state formation fee is listed as $100. Service fees, expedited filing, licenses, taxes and optional products are separate.

Does the LLC need a Virginia registered agent?+

Yes. The LLC generally must continuously maintain a qualified registered agent under Virginia law.

Should the LLC have an operating agreement?+

Yes. A written agreement documents ownership, management, authority and financial rules even when it is not filed with the state.

What happens after the LLC is approved?+

Complete the operating agreement, EIN, banking, funding and records, then address licenses, taxes, insurance and recurring compliance.

Important: General educational information only, not legal or tax advice. State requirements and fees change; verify current official information before filing.