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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in West Virginia

West Virginia calls it the Certificate of Existence and charges $10. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Existence
State fee
$10
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Online: immediate through WV SOS One Stop Business Center
Issuing office
West Virginia SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The West Virginia SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the West Virginia portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $10 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for West Virginia

West Virginia uses Certificate of Existence (for domestic) and Certificate of Authorization (for foreign). Order online through the WV SOS Business and Licensing Division for $10. Certified copies are $15 for a charter document plus $5 per additional amendment. Fee set by W. Va. Code section 59-1-2.

Processing and expedited tiers: Online: immediate through WV SOS One Stop Business Center

Important to know about West Virginia

  • The WV LLC annual report ($25, due July 1) must be current. Missing July 1 triggers a $50 late fee.
  • A separate Letter of Good Standing from the WV Tax Division covers state tax compliance. This is different from the SOS Certificate of Existence and is often required for state contracting, licensing, or dissolution.
  • All WV LLCs must obtain a Business Registration Certificate ($30, one-time) from the State Tax Department in addition to their SOS registration. Certificate of Existence does not certify this registration.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your West Virginia LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

West Virginia foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available West Virginia Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the West Virginia SOS before ordering.