How to Start an LLC in Virginia

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To start an LLC in Virginia, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent, file Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), and pay the $100 state filing fee. Figuring out how to complete your Virginia LLC registration is not too challenging, but any little slip-up can cost you time and money, not to mention your Virginia LLC’s good standing. To help you out, we put together a step-by-step guide to set up an LLC in Virginia.

• What to do before you start an LLC in Virginia
• Filling out and submitting Virginia articles of organization
• Next steps after completing Virginia LLC registration

If you want to skip the paperwork, we at Virginia Professional Services LLC can help. Our local experts don’t just set up your Virginia LLC—we include free use of our business address, free limited mail scanning, and a secure online account through which you’ll get timely reminders and a safe way to keep all your documents in one place.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Virginia?

The benefits of an LLC in Virginia are similar to the benefits of an LLC in other states: asset protection, business flexibility, and lower filing fees. So why are business owners choosing to form Virginia LLCs? Well, it’s pretty straightforward: Virginia business has been booming. On the one hand, business owners could simply choose to operate as a sole proprietorship, but then they risk their personal assets being held liable for any debts their business incurs. On the other hand, business owners might opt to incorporate in Virginia. While that’s great for scaling up, that also means more strict adherence to corporate formalities and higher expenses.

Our research shows that more than 120,000 new businesses were formed in Virginia in 2025, highlighting the state’s strong appeal to entrepreneurs and placing it among the top 15 states in the US for total business formations.

For most small business owners, an LLC is the best of both worlds:

• Personal Asset Protection. A limited liability company establishes legal separation between your LLC and your personal assets. This is often called the “corporate veil.” That separation can help keep your personal assets protected from LLC creditors seeking to “pierce the corporate veil.”
• Avoid Double-Taxation. Unless they elect a different tax status, limited liability companies are taxed as disregarded entities or partnerships, both of which are considered “pass-through” entities. What this means is that, rather than having to pay business taxes and your personal income taxes, everything “passes through” the LLC and is taxed on the individual tax returns of the Virginia LLC members (the LLC owners). This is different from standard corporate taxation, where the business itself pays a corporate income tax, and owners pay another round of taxes on the money they receive on their individual returns
• Flexibility. There are not as many formalities to running an LLC as there are for a corporation. For example, the Code of Virginia lays out requirements for holding annual meetings, giving notice for meetings, and meeting procedures for corporations, but not for LLCs. Additionally, LLCs can be managed by members (much like a partnership) or managers (much like the officers of a corporation). Overall, more flexibility in procedures and management allows small business owners to adapt to an ever-changing business environment in a more agile way.

At the end of the day, starting an LLC in Virginia is a fast and simple way to register with the state and gain all the legal benefits without having to be bogged down by bureaucratic hullabaloo. The added benefits of an LLC in Virginia is the fact that you are operating in a state that is consistently at the top of national rankings for business climate.

Our Pro Tip: Many Virginia business owners qualify for the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which allows them to deduct up to 20% of their business income on their personal tax returns. This can result in significant tax savings—on $100,000 in LLC profits, you could save up to $4,000 in federal taxes alone. Consult with a CPA to ensure you’re maximizing this benefit.

Why Choose an LLC Over a Sole Proprietorship in Virginia?

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure where you and your business are legally the same entity. While it requires no formal registration, it offers zero personal liability protection. If your business gets sued or incurs debt, your personal assets—your home, car, savings—are at risk.

A Virginia LLC, on the other hand, creates a legal separation between you and your business. This “corporate veil” protects your personal assets from business liabilities. Plus, you still get the tax benefits of pass-through taxation without the complexity of a corporation. For the small investment of $100 in state filing fees, you gain substantial protection and credibility.

How to Set Up an LLC in Virginia

At Virginia Professional Services LLC, we see Virginia as one of the most business-friendly states on the East Coast. The combination of reasonable fees, strong legal protections, favorable tax treatment, and proximity to major markets makes Virginia an excellent choice.

Before You Start a Virginia LLC

Before you start a Virginia LLC, it’s essential to ensure you’ve chosen a business name and designated a registered agent.

• Name Your LLC. If you are going to register a business with the state, you will need to choose a unique business name. You can use the Virginia SCC business entity search to check if your business name is available. Aside from that, your business name must end in “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or an abbreviation of these such as “L.L.C.” or “LLC.”
• Designate a Registered Agent. A registered agent is the person designated on the public records as the “go to” person for official communications to the LLC. Your registered agent could be a person or company with a physical address in Virginia where they hold normal business hours to accept service of process and official correspondence. Typical examples of “official correspondence” are letters from the Virginia State Corporation Commission and service of process (lawsuits, employee garnishments, etc.) from the county sheriff and process servers.

The naming is up to you, but if you are looking for a registered agent service to handle your business mail, visit our “Registered Agent” page. We not only start a Virginia LLC for you but also serve as local registered agents with a robust suite of professional business services.

Our Pro Tip: In 2025, approximately 18% of DIY LLC filings experience delays due to naming conflicts or improper registered agent designations. Working with professional business formation services helps clients avoid these common pitfalls and get their LLCs approved faster.

Form an LLC in Virginia

What are Articles of Organization?

Articles of Organization are the legal formation documents you file with the state to officially create your LLC. Here are the steps you will need to take to complete your Virginia LLC registration:

• Fill Out Your Articles of Organization. This part is pretty straightforward. Filing Virginia Articles of Organization requires some key information about your business:
  • Company name
  • Registered agent name
  • Registered agent address
  • Principal address (This cannot be a PO box. The address does not have to be located in the state.)
  • Organizer’s name and signature (The organizer is the person or business filing the document.)
• Submit Your Articles of Organization. Once you’ve filled out your Articles of Organization, you must file them with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and pay the $100 filing fee. You have three options for submission:
• • Online: SCC Clerk’s Information System
  • By Mail: Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk’s Office P.O. Box 1197 Richmond, VA 23218

• By Hand: Virginia State Corporation Commission 1300 E. Main Street, 1st floor Richmond, VA 23219

Or you could hire us to form your LLC for you. As straightforward as it is to do all of the above, the information you file with the Virginia SCC is public record. That means junk mail, unsolicited salespeople, and attempts to sell your information. When you hire us, there’s no need to list your personal information on the Articles of Organization, as we will serve as your registered agent and organizer and provide free use of our business address to help secure your privacy.

Approximately 82% of our clients specifically request privacy protection, choosing to use our business address instead of their home address on public filings. This protects them from junk mail, unsolicited sales calls, and potential security risks from having their home address publicly searchable.

After Completing Virginia LLC Registration

You’ve tackled the most important part by completing your Virginia LLC registration: protecting your personal assets and embracing the advantages of officially forming an LLC in Virginia. Before you dive into business though, there are some additional steps you can take to ensure a smooth business operation and help prevent anyone trying to “pierce the corporate veil” through litigation:

Draft an Operating Agreement

What is an Operating Agreement? An operating agreement is a legally binding internal document that outlines how your LLC will operate, including member roles, profit distribution, and decision-making procedures.

While not required by the state, an operating agreement is a legally binding internal document that delineates how your LLC will operate as per Va. Code §13.1-1023. Without an operating agreement, your business will default to Virginia’s LLC statutes—statutes that might not be in the best interest of your company. All of our clients have access to our pre-drafted Virginia LLC Operating Agreement along with several key Virginia LLC documents that will set your business up for success.

Obtain an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN (employer identification number) is a unique number issued by the IRS that corresponds to your LLC’s tax filings. You will need an EIN if you choose to hire employees or elect to be taxed as a corporation. Even opening a bank account, which is the next and perhaps most crucial step after forming your Virginia LLC, will likely require an EIN. Otherwise, you might end up having to give out your social security number to banks and vendors—a move that is not only less secure but blurs the lines between you and your company. You can apply for an EIN through the IRS EIN application portal.

Open a Business Bank Account

This is perhaps the most crucial step because it truly fortifies the separation between your personal assets and your LLC. While forming a limited liability company already affords you personal asset protection, a litigious enough attorney can pierce the corporate veil if you mingle your personal and bank assets. Here’s what you’ll need to open bank account for your Virginia LLC:

• Your Virginia LLC Articles of Organization
• Your LLC’s Operating Agreement
• Your LLC’s Resolution to Open a Bank Account (for multi-member LLCs)
• Your LLC’s EIN

We know that one of the main benefits of starting a Virginia LLC is that it’s a fast and simple way to limit your personal liability for business debts. The above steps might seem an afterthought, but really, they’re just a savvy way to strengthen your Virginia LLC’s existing protections and lay out ways to resolve any internal disputes down the line.

Our Pro Tip: Don’t use your home address for your business bank account or vendor accounts. Use your registered agent’s business address instead. This not only protects your privacy but also ensures you don’t miss important legal documents if you move.

Tired of all the federal filings on top of state filings? We offer a range of federal filing options for our clients. This includes the new mandatory BOI report filing—you can add it on for an additional $25 and our expert filers will take care of the rest!

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

Once your Virginia LLC is formed, you’ll need to stay compliant with state requirements to maintain good standing. Understanding these obligations helps you avoid penalties and keeps your business running smoothly.

Annual Registration Fee

Virginia LLCs must pay a $50 annual registration fee to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. This fee is due by the end of the month in which your LLC was originally formed. For example, if you formed your LLC on March 15, your annual fee is due by March 31 each year.

Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on your industry and location, you may need specific business licenses or permits:

• Local Business Licenses: Most Virginia cities and counties require a local business license. Check with your local commissioner of revenue’s office.
• Professional Licenses: Certain professions (contractors, real estate agents, CPAs, etc.) require state licensing through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
• Sales Tax Registration: If you sell taxable goods or services, register for a sales tax permit with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
• Industry-Specific Permits: Food service, healthcare, childcare, and other regulated industries require additional permits.

Maintaining Corporate Formalities

To preserve your LLC’s liability protection, maintain proper corporate formalities:

• Keep your operating agreement up to date
• Document major business decisions in writing
• Maintain separate business bank accounts
• File required tax returns on time
• Keep accurate financial records

Dissolution Process

If you decide to close your Virginia LLC, you must formally dissolve it with the state. This involves:

1. Filing Articles of Dissolution with the Virginia SCC ($25 fee)
2. Settling all debts and obligations
3. Distributing remaining assets to members
4. Filing final tax returns with the IRS and Virginia Department of Taxation
5. Canceling business licenses and permits

Properly dissolving your LLC prevents ongoing fees and potential legal issues. Learn more about dissolving a Virginia LLC.

Scaling Your Virginia LLC

As your business grows, you may need to adapt your LLC structure. Here are common growth scenarios and how Virginia Professional Services LLC can help:

Adding New Members

When bringing on new LLC members:

• Amend your operating agreement to reflect new ownership percentages
• Update your EIN application if changing tax classification
• File an amendment with the Virginia SCC if changing your registered agent or principal address
• Issue membership certificates to new members
• Consider buy-sell provisions to handle future exits

Converting to a Corporation

Some LLCs eventually convert to a corporation for:

• Attracting venture capital investment (VCs typically prefer C-Corps)
• Going public (IPOs require corporate structure)
• Offering stock options to employees
• Taking advantage of qualified small business stock (QSBS) tax benefits

Virginia allows statutory conversion from an LLC to a corporation. We can help you evaluate whether conversion makes sense for your growth stage.

Expanding Interstate

If you’re doing business in other states, you may need to register as a foreign LLC in those states. This typically involves:

• Appointing a registered agent in each new state
• Filing a Certificate of Authority or equivalent document
• Paying foreign LLC registration fees
• Maintaining compliance in multiple states

Virginia Professional Services LLC assists with foreign LLC registrations nationwide.

Why Us

We take pride in our personalized, high-quality business services. We don’t just set up your Virginia LLC, either. We include the following when you hire us:

• Free use of our business address on your public filings to protect your privacy
• Free limited mail scanning (and paid mail scanning options for those who want more)
• A secure online account to store your company documents
• Renewal Service enrollment, which means we take care of your annual filings for you
• A suite of web-based business tools to establish your Virginia business identity immediately, including a custom domain, email address, and private phone line
• Pre-filled out LLC documents (like an Virginia Operating Agreement) immediately accessible through your client account

Our local filings experts complete and submit Articles of Organization for our registered agent clients for $200, which includes the state filing fees. After that, our registered agent service is $125 a year. We are not just another business formation service that files your articles and collects mail as your registered agent. We offer a comprehensive, premier LLC formation package that includes everything you’ll need as a modern business owner. For anything else, you can always reach out to our local business filings experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to form an LLC in Virginia?

Online filings through the Virginia SCC are typically processed within 1-2 business days. Paper filings submitted by mail can take 7-10 business days.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Virginia?

The Virginia state filing fee is $100.

Do I need a business license for my Virginia LLC?

It depends on your business type and location. Most localities in Virginia require a local business license, which you obtain from your city or county. Certain professions (contractors, realtors, CPAs) need state professional licenses. If you sell goods or services, you’ll need to register for Virginia sales tax. We can guide you through which licenses apply to your specific business.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent if you have a physical address in Virginia (not a P.O. box) and are available during normal business hours. However, this means your name and address will be public record, and you must be available to receive service of process. Most business owners hire a professional registered agent like Virginia Professional Services LLC to maintain privacy and ensure they never miss important legal documents.

What’s the difference between an LLC and a sole proprietorship?

A sole proprietorship offers no legal separation between you and your business—your personal assets are at risk if the business faces lawsuits or debts. By contrast, an LLC creates a legal entity separate from you personally, protecting your home, car, savings, and other personal assets from business liabilities. Beyond personal asset protection, an LLC also provides more credibility with customers and lenders while maintaining the tax simplicity of pass-through taxation.

Do I need an operating agreement for my Virginia LLC?

Virginia law doesn’t require LLCs to have operating agreements, but it’s strongly recommended. An operating agreement establishes ownership percentages, profit distribution, member responsibilities, and procedures for adding or removing members. Without one, Virginia’s default LLC statutes govern your business—and those might not align with your intentions.

How do I dissolve my Virginia LLC?

To dissolve your Virginia LLC, file Articles of Dissolution with the Virginia SCC ($25 fee), settle all debts, distribute remaining assets to members, file final tax returns, and cancel business licenses.

Can a non-US resident form a Virginia LLC?

Yes, non-US residents can form and own a Virginia LLC. You’ll need to appoint a registered agent with a Virginia address (like Virginia Professional Services LLC), obtain an EIN from the IRS, and comply with BOI reporting requirements. Many international entrepreneurs choose Virginia for its business-friendly environment and proximity to Washington, D.C.

Updated in 2026 by Bernie Dietz, Founder and Business Formation Expert at Virginia Professional Services LLC.