‹ West Virginia Filing Guide
How to Change Your Registered Agent in West Virginia
The form, the fee, and how to file it.
Filing details
- Form name
- Application to Appoint or Change Process, Officers and/or Addresses (Form AAO)
- Filing fee
- $15
- Online filing
- Yes
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours; same-day if delivered in person; expedite available for $25 (24-hr) or $250 (2-hr)
- Secretary of State
- West Virginia SOS ↗
Note: West Virginia charges $15 to change the registered agent using Form AAO (verified directly from the official WV SOS LLC formation document, lld-1.pdf). File online through the One Stop Business Portal at business4.wv.gov or onestop.wv.gov, or by mail/fax/in-person to WV SOS Business Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd East, Charleston WV 25305. You can also bundle the agent change into your annual report (filed between January 1 and July 1 each year). Annual report fee is $26 online / $25 paper.
Open online filing portal ↗
How to change your registered agent in West Virginia
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Choose your new registered agent first.
Do not file the change form until you have a new agent lined up. The new agent has to consent to the appointment, and most states will not process the change without that consent in hand. If you let coverage lapse, the West Virginia SOS can administratively dissolve your LLC.
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Get the Application to Appoint or Change Process, Officers and/or Addresses (Form AAO). Download the form ↗
You can file this online through the West Virginia Secretary of State portal. The form requires your LLC name, the new agent name and address, and a signature. The new agent must consent to the appointment.
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Pay the $15 filing fee.
Pay by credit card during the online filing. A small processing surcharge usually applies. Mail filings accept check or money order made out to the West Virginia Secretary of State.
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Notify your old agent.
Once the change is processed, your old agent's responsibility ends. If you are paying them an annual fee, cancel that subscription so it does not auto-renew. Most services prorate or refund the unused portion.
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Verify the change in state records.
Search your LLC name on the West Virginia SOS business search and confirm the new registered agent is listed. Processing typically takes 24-48 hours; same-day if delivered in person; expedite available for $25 (24-hr) or $250 (2-hr), so check back after that window.
Important to know about West Virginia
- You can change the registered agent for free during your annual report filing window (January 1 to July 1 each year) - just update the agent details when filing the annual report.
- WV processes filings within 24-48 hours, which is exceptionally fast among states. In-person delivery gets same-day processing.
- Veteran-owned businesses may qualify for a fee waiver under WV Code �59-1-2a if they attach Form DD214.
- Some third-party guides cite $25 for this filing - this is incorrect. Official WV SOS documentation confirms $15.
Have a service handle the change for you
Northwest will file the Application to Appoint or Change Process, Officers and/or Addresses (Form AAO) and pay the state filing fee when you sign up. The change is usually filed the same business day.
Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
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This page provides general information based on publicly available West Virginia Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the West Virginia SOS before filing.