Virginia corporation cost
Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Virginia, from Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office.
Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.
Virginia corporation cost at a glance
Forming a corporation in Virginia costs at least $75 in state filing fees. After that, Virginia charges a report fee of at least $100 a year. Over five years the state's own charges come to at least $575, the 38th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.
Line by line
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee Minimum; rises with the number of authorized shares | $75 minimum | www.scc.virginia.gov |
| Annual or biennial report fee Annual registration fee for a stock corporation, based on authorized shares (minimum tier); there is no fee for filing the annual report form itself. | $100 minimum | www.scc.virginia.gov |
| Foreign registration (another state's corporation) Charter/entrance fee schedule covers domestic and foreign corporations; rises with authorized shares. | $75 minimum | www.scc.virginia.gov |
What to know
- Penalty The Virginia penalty for a late stock corporation annual registration fee is the higher of 10 percent of the fee or $10. source
- Easy to miss Virginia stock corporations pay an annual registration fee based on authorized shares, in addition to a no-fee annual report. source
How to form a corporation in Virginia
- Check the name. Search the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
- File the articles of incorporation. The Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office charges at least $75 to form a corporation.
- Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Virginia. You can serve as your own.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
- Stay in good standing. Virginia charges a report fee of at least $100 a year. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.
Other business types in Virginia
An LLC costs $100 to start, then a report fee of $50 a year. A nonprofit corporation costs $350 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $25 a year. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $10. Compare them in the calculator.
Registering an out-of-state corporation in Virginia
A corporation formed in another state registers in Virginia as a foreign corporation. The Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office charges at least $75 for the registration.
Common questions
How much does it cost to start a corporation in Virginia?
The state filing fee is at least $75, and Virginia then charges a report fee of at least $100 a year.
What does a corporation in Virginia cost over five years?
at least $575 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.
How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Virginia?
$75, paid to the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office.
Compare with nearby states in cost
- Washington $530 over 5 years
- Maine $570 over 5 years
- New Hampshire $600 over 5 years
- Oregon $600 over 5 years
Guides
- Delaware LLC annual tax: $400 a year
- Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs
- How to start a business: the steps and what each costs
- New York LLC publication requirement: six weeks, two newspapers, $50
- Registering an LLC in another state: steps and every state's fee
- LLC annual fees by state, ranked
What you'll need to start a corporation in Virginia
- 1
File your Articles of Incorporation
$75 minimumThe document that creates your corporation with the state of Virginia.
Do it yourself
File with Virginia State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office. You pay only the state fee.
Have it done
- Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
- ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
- Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
- Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
- LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 2
Name a registered agent
$0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a yearA person or company with a street address in Virginia who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.
Do it yourself
Be your own agent if you have a street address in Virginia.
Have it done
- ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
- Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
- Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 3
Get an EIN (tax ID)
FreeThe federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.
Do it yourself
Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".
- 4
File the annual report
$100 minimum a yearThe recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing.
- 5
Open a business bank account
$0 a monthKeeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.
Options
- Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
- Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
- Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 6
Optional: elect S corporation status
Filed with the IRSThe IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.
Do it yourself