If you are looking to start a business in West Virginia, you may be wondering about the process of forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC is a type of business structure that provides limited liability protection for its owners. This means that if the business is sued, the owner’s personal assets are protected.

Unlike a sole proprietorship or general partnership, where the small business owner can be personally liable for lawsuits against the business, the LLC is a separate legal structure that protects the business owner’s personal assets. Besides liability protection, the Limited Liability Company provides other benefits such as multiple tax options, ease of administration, and management flexibility.

Related: Guide to starting a business in West Virginia

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Steps to Form a West Virginia LLC

Step 1: Choose a West Virginia LLC Name

The first step in forming a West Virginia Limited Liability Company is to make sure the name you want is available.  

It’s critical to do a West Virginia LLC name search before registering an LLC name, as the name of each LLC must be distinguishable from other entity names registered in the state of West Virginia. The West Virginia Secretary of State makes it easy to search and verify if your LLC name is available. 

In addition to the name being unique, the entity designator (identifier used at the end of the business name) must be either:

• Limited Liability Company
• Ltd. Liability Company
• Ltd. Liability Co.
• Limited Company
• Ltd. Company
• Ltd. Co.
• L.L.C.
• LLC
• L.C.
• LC

A comma may be used after the business name and before the end of the name.  “Mountain Ridge Consulting LLC” and “Mountain Ridge Consulting, LLC” are both acceptable.

If there is an LLC name you want to use, but you are not ready to register the LLC, you can file the Application for Name Reservation with the Secretary of State and hold a name for up to 120 days.

If you plan to use a different name from the one that you register (perhaps you want to run multiple businesses under the LLC), you can file for a Trade Name (sometimes referred to as a fictitious business name, assumed name, DBA, or Doing Business As name) with the West Virginia Secretary of State.

Before settling on a name, you may want to do a domain name search to try and match your business name and website address.

Step 2: Appoint a West Virginia Registered Agent (optional)

In most states, a registered agent is required by all LLCs; however, in West Virginia, it is optional.

A registered agent acts as a central point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc., on behalf of the LLC (referred to as an agent for service of process).

The basic requirements to be a registered agent in West Virginia include:

• The agent must be a West Virginia resident at least 18 years of age or a commercial registered agent service with a registered office in the state.
• The agent must have a physical address in the state (PO Boxes aren’t allowed).
• The agent must generally be available during normal business hours at the address provided to receive service of process.

Step 3: File the West Virginia Articles of Organization

The paperwork to officially create an LLC in West Virginia is called the Articles of Organization. To submit the paperwork, either file online on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website or download and mail the Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1) 

Related: How to fill out the West Virginia Articles of Organization

When filling out the Articles of Organization for the first time, there are a few sections that can be confusing. To help get your LLC started right, I’ll explain some that stick out to me.

Type of LLC: Choose whether the business is a regular LLC (most common) or PLLC (Professional LLC).  A Professional LLC is an LLC that provides a service that requires licensing in West Virginia.  See our guide on West Virginia licenses and permits for more information on which services require licensing.

If your business requires licensing, be sure to attach the Verification of Eligibility proving licensure.

Principal office address: In this section, enter the street address, city, state, and zip code of the initial principal office.  This address can be the LLC’s physical address or the address where the business records are stored.  This does not need to be an address in West Virginia, but you may not use a PO Box for the designated office.

If you prefer to have the LLC records sent to a different address, enter that information in the Mailing Address Section.  If the address is the same as the principal office, leave it blank.  A Post Office Box is acceptable to use.

Initial designated office: The Designated Office is the physical address where the business will operate.  This address has to be in West Virginia and can’t be a PO Box.

If there is an address where notifications should be mailed, enter that address in the Mailing Address section.

Organizers: An LLC organizer is someone involved with the formation of the Articles of Organization.  The Organizer may or may not become a member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but any LLC member can be listed as an organizer.

At least one organizer must be listed; however, each organizer having decision making authority for the LLC must be entered.

LLC existence: In this section, you can indicate how long it will remain in existence.  Most LLCs will choose “At-Will”; however, some businesses (usually investment-related businesses) will have a specific closure date and will choose “Term.”

Member information: The names and addresses of each LLC member must be listed. If there are more than four members, attach an additional page.

LLC management: This section asks if the LLC is Member-Managed or Manager-Managed.

• Member-Managed LLCs have an active involvement in the management and have the authority to act on behalf of the LLC.
• Manager-Managed LLCs are hired by the members to run the LLC, similar to a CEO of a corporation.  This is generally used when there are passive members in the LLC, and the members do not actively manage or operate in the affairs of the business.

Most LLCs are member-managed and will often be the same individuals listed in

Related: What is the Difference Between a Member-Managed LLC and Manager Managed LLC?

Member liability: This section asks whether the LLC members are liable for the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the LLC.  Selecting “No” means all LLC debts, obligations, and liabilities are obligations to the LLC.  Choosing “Yes” means members are liable for the LLC’s debts, obligations, and liabilities.

If you select “Yes,” be sure to have their written consent saved with the company records.

LLC purpose: Provide some basic information about what the business does.  You will need to provide some basic information otherwise, the LLC filing will be rejected.  If you want to keep the business purpose more open-ended, you can add “…including the transaction of any or all lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated in West Virginia” in addition to the original purpose statement.

Related: How to answer the business purpose statement

Effective date: If you want the LLC to start immediately, choose the check box “the date and time of filing in the Secretary of State’s Office.”  If you want the LLC to start later, choose “the following date” and enter a date less than 90 days in the future.

The main reason for delaying the LLC start date is when the filing is made close to the end of a calendar year, and the business isn’t going to have any activity until the start of the year.  You can eliminate the need to file a partial-year business tax return by delaying the start date until the following year.

What To Do After Forming A West Virginia LLC

Once the LLC has been formed, there are a few additional steps to take care of. Below is a list of the most common tasks.

Prepare a West Virginia LLC Operating Agreement

The operating agreement is a document that governs the framework of an LLC.  This document covers items like ownership rights, member responsibilities, how profits and losses are distributed, and more.

West Virginia does not require an LLC to have an operating agreement, but it is still worth considering. Without an operating agreement:

• The LLC could be subject to generic state rules that may be detrimental in the event of a lawsuit.
• Member’s personal liability protection may be diminished.
• Members may not fully understand their roles and responsibilities, which could lead to costly disputes in the future.

Related: West Virginia operating agreement template

Obtain an EIN

If the LLC will hire employees or is owned by more than one member, an EIN is required. 

The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number, FEIN, or Federal Tax ID Number) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number assigned to a business by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Similar to a social security number for an individual, the EIN identifies business entities for tax purposes. The EIN will be needed to hire employees, open a bank account, build business credit, register for business licenses and permits, file federal and state taxes, and more.

There is no cost for the EIN when registering through the IRS. The number is available immediately when applying through the IRS website; however, you can also register by phone, fax, or mailing IRS Form SS-4.

If an Employer Identification Number isn’t required, the LLC can use either the owner’s social security number or register for an EIN. 

Related: How to Apply for an EIN

Open an LLC Bank Account

Opening a bank account for your LLC is important for liability protection as the account separates the business’s funds from the member’s personal funds.

Several documents will be needed to open a business bank account, such as:

• A banking resolution is a document that authorizes the members to open a business bank account on behalf of the LLC.
• Copies of the original formation paperwork from the state showing the creation of the LLC.
• Driver’s licenses of the members.
• Occasionally the bank will request a West Virginia Certificate of Good Standing to prove the LLC is active and in good standing with the state.

Related: How to open a business bank account for your LLC

Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

After forming the LLC, there will likely be various business licenses and permits before starting the business. Some common registrations include:

• Business registration certificate: All LLCs will need to obtain a Business Registration Certificate (sometimes known as a Business License) from the West Virginia State Tax Department. Form WV/BUS-APP is used to register for a West Virginia Seller’s Permit.
• Business license: Some cities require businesses to obtain licensing before they can start.
• Professional license: Certain services, such as barbershops, accountants, salons, and others, must be licensed. Licensed professionals going into business have the option of forming a Professional Limited Liability Company (sometimes referred to as a PLLC or Professional LLC), which allows them more options in naming their LLC. The steps for forming a PLLC are similar to the LLC.

Related: What business licenses are needed in West Virginia?

File West Virginia LLC Annual Reports

LLCs are required to file an annual report with the West Virginia Secretary of State.  The annual report updates ownership information and other details.

Related: How to file a West Virginia annual report

File the Beneficial Owner Information Report

Beginning in 2024, any individual who owns at least 25% or has “substantial control” of an LLC or corporation in West Virginia or any other state must file the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) form with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). BOI reports are filed electronically through FinCEN’s website.

West Virginia LLC FAQs