How to Start an LLC in Virginia

Learn how to form an LLC in Virginia.

It’s easy to form an LLC in Virginia online yourself. Just follow these steps:

  1. Name Your LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File the VA Articles of Organization
  4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Get an EIN
  6. File a BOI Report

Or, use a trusted formation service:

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Starting a Virginia LLC is Easy

You can start a Virginia LLC online by registering the Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission. The cost for Virginia LLC registration is $100.

Follow our How to Start an LLC in Virginia guide below to get started.

To learn how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.

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Step 1: Create A Name For Your LLC in Virginia

Before you register your Virginia LLC, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.

Naming Your LLC

First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.

Next, make sure your name meets Virginia guidelines:

  • it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, LLC or L.L.C.
  • it doesn’t contain restricted words or phrases (these often include words like bank, attorney, and university) without approval
  • it’s distinguishable from any other entity or trade name registered in Virginia
  • full list of Virginia naming rules

Next, do a Virginia LLC name search with the State Corporation Commission to find out if your name is available in Virginia.

If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Virginia Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission.

Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.

We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.

Domain Name Search

Using a Virginia Fictitious Name or Assumed Name (DBA)

A Virginia DBA (doing business as), also known as a fictitious name or assumed name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn’t its legal business name. A fictitious name or assumed name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).

Learn how to get a DBA in our Virginia DBA guide.

Step 2: Appoint A Virginia LLC Registered Agent

When you file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to list a registered agent. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC. 

Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.

Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own:

  • You’ll have to maintain normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide.
  • If you run your business from home, you’ll be required to make your personal address public.
  • You must keep up on important notices, dates, and deadlines.
  • You could be served in front of your family or coworkers.

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Step 3: File Your Virginia LLC Articles of Organization

It’s time to officially form your LLC by filing your Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission.

You can file online with the State Corporation Commission or fill out a hard copy of Virginia Form LLC1011 and mail it in. The filing fee is $100. 

You’ll need to know the following information to complete each Article:

  1. Entity Name
  2. Registered Agent Name
  3. Registered Office Address
  4. Principal Office Address

For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our Virginia Articles of Organization guide.


Mail Your Articles of Organization:

Send the form and payment (payable to the State Corporation Commission) to:

State Corporation Commission
Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218-1197

How long does it take to get a Virginia LLC approved? LLC processing time is one week by mail or immediately online (following payment).

Step 4: Create a Virginia LLC Operating Agreement

Creating a Virginia LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises. 

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.

Your operating agreement should outline the following:

  • Each member’s responsibilities
  • How new members will be admitted
  • How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
  • How profits and dividends will be distributed

You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Virginia business law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.

Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.

Step 5: Obtain An EIN (Employer Identification Number) For Your LLC

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of Virginia will use this number to track your business activity.

Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:

  • Open a business bank account
  • File Federal and State taxes
  • Hire employees

The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Virginia is by using the free online application on the IRS website.

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Step 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

When forming a Virginia LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.

This is free to file through the FinCEN website

New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025. 

Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.

Steps After Forming an LLC in Virginia

After forming your Virginia LLC, it’s important to:

Open A Business Bank Account

A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Virginia LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.

Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.

Get A Business Credit Card

A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.

Set Up Business Accounting 

Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.

When forming an LLC in Virginia, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.

Get Business Insurance 

Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.

Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.

Keep Your Company Compliant

Research Virginia Business Licenses and Permits

To operate an LLC in Virginia, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits. 

Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Virginia guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.

Pay the Virginia LLC Annual Registration Fee

Virginia LLCs don’t have to fill out an annual report, but they do have to pay an annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission each year. The fee is $50 and can be paid online using the SCC’s Clerk’s Information System.

Understand Virginia State Tax Requirements

If your Virginia business sells physical products, you will likely have to register for a seller’s permit with the Virginia State Tax Department. Visit our Virginia Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and Virginia sales tax.

Additionally, if you have employees in Virginia, you will need to register for both unemployment insurance tax and employee withholding tax through the Virginia Tax portal.

Understand Your Virginia LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements

Most Virginia LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065: Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 – Schedule C (single-member LLCs).

How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

Know Your Virginia LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options

Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity. 

Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income. 

Alternatively, Virginia LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.

More LLC Resources

  • Virginia Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. Download the Virginia foreign LLC form to get started.
  • Virginia Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Virginia certificate of good standing guide.
  • Dissolving a Virginia LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Virginia LLC Dissolution Guide.
  • LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.

Related Articles

Article Sources

Commonwealth of VA – State Corporation Commission

VA Legislature – VA LLC Statute

Virginia Dept of Revenue- Business

IRS – Limited Liability Company (LLC)

SBA – Small Business Guide

SBA – Choose a Business Structure