Short answer: Secretary of State acts as the default agent, though listing a private agent is highly advised. If appointed, the agent must maintain a physical West Virginia street address (no PO boxes). Changing agents costs $15.
We've pulled these figures from the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business and Licensing Division's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Who can serve as a West Virginia registered agent
Secretary of State acts as the default agent, though listing a private agent is highly advised. If appointed, the agent must maintain a physical West Virginia street address (no PO boxes).
You can be your own agent in West Virginia. The catch: your street address lands on the public record, and you need to be there during business hours to accept legal papers.
Paid registered agent services
| Service | Yearly price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | Uses its address on your public filings by default; scans state and legal mail |
| Bizee | Free year 1 with formation, then $149 | Says it runs its own offices in all 50 states; sends service of process by tracked FedEx |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | Sold as an add-on, not included with formation |
| LegalZoom | $249 | Sold separately from its LLC packages |
Compare all four in our registered agent rankings, or read the Bizee vs Northwest comparison.
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia's fee to change registered agents is $15. That's the 18th lowest of 45 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $20, so West Virginia comes in $5 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $15 | 27 of 45 |
| Kentucky | $10 | 29 of 45 |
| North Carolina | $5 | 37 of 45 |
| Ohio | $25 | 13 of 45 |
| Virginia | Varies | Not confirmed |
| Indiana | Varies | Not confirmed |
West Virginia fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1) | $101 | $100 for paper filings, plus a $1 convenience fee for online filings. |
| Change of registered agent | $15 | Requires filing Form AAO. |
| Articles of Termination (Form LLD-9) | $25 |
Registered agent rules: West Virginia questions
What are the registered agent requirements in West Virginia?
Secretary of State acts as the default agent, though listing a private agent is highly advised. If appointed, the agent must maintain a physical West Virginia street address (no PO boxes).
Can I be my own registered agent in West Virginia?
Yes, if you meet West Virginia's requirements. Your address will appear on public filings, and you'll need to be available during business hours.
How much does it cost to change registered agents in West Virginia?
The state charges $15. Requires filing Form AAO.
Can a registered agent use a PO box in West Virginia?
No. Registered agents need a physical street address in West Virginia where legal papers can be delivered in person during business hours.
How much does a registered agent service cost in West Virginia?
Commercial services typically charge a yearly fee. Northwest charges $125 a year and Bizee charges $149 a year after a free first year with formation, based on prices we checked. The state doesn't regulate these prices.
What happens if my West Virginia LLC doesn't have a registered agent?
You can miss lawsuits and state notices, and the state can eventually move to revoke or dissolve the LLC. Administratively dissolved if the report remains unfiled 60 days after the due date.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.