The 4 Best LLC Services in Virginia 2023
Find the Best Service for Your LLC in Virginia
Starting a limited liability company (LLC)? Business formation services can help you set up your new venture in no time by streamlining the entire process.
We’ve completed the research for you and curated a list of the best LLC services in Virginia. We go over pros, cons, pricing, features for each service to help you determine which one is right for your business.
Recommended Virginia LLC Formation Service: Northwest
Best Virginia LLC Formation Services
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Best LLC Services |
|---|---|
Northwest 4.7/5 |
HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
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TailorBrands 4.5/5 |
BEST PREMIUM, ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE
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ZenBusiness 4.2/5 |
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Incfile 4.0/5 |
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We reviewed and ranked the four best company formation services by actually forming separate Virginia LLCs with each service provider.
In this business formation services review, we’ll explore some of the best Virginia LLC services in 2023 and share what makes them the top choice.
Best LLC Services in Virginia:
Best Virginia LLC Service: Northwest
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent as the overall best online business formation service because of its affordability and knowledgeable customer support.
($29 + State Fees)
1. Northwest
Northwest's incorporation service starts at just $29 plus state fees; it includes LLC filing, premium registered agent services, customer privacy protection, online document dashboard, free mail forwarding, and more.
Northwest is known for its top-notch customer service; they provide their clients with Corporate Guides, who are highly trained US-based support agents. Every customer gets a Corporate Guide assigned to their specific account, so you can talk to the same person if you have any questions or concerns.
Pros
- Positive customer reviews
- User-friendly online ordering process
- No hidden fees or “free trials” that cost money later on
- Professional US-based customer service representatives
Cons
- You’ll need to pay extra fees for important Virginia business formation features such as an EIN. Another option is to get an EIN for free on your own.
Read our full Northwest Registered Agent review to learn more.
Northwest
Northwest provides personalized, knowledgeable customer service at an affordable price.
($29 plus state fees)
2. Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands stands out for the impressive brand building features that are included in its Elite plan. For $199 annually, entrepreneurs will have access to AI-powered tools like a logo maker, website builder, digital business cards, and a social media post maker.
So, if you are an independent-minded entrepreneur that would benefit from an all-in-one LLC formation and brand building package, look no further than Tailor Brands Elite plan.
Pros
- Logo and social media graphic tools that outpace competitors
- Incredible ease-of-use
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- If you want just the basics, there are more affordable options
Read our full Tailor Brands review to learn more.
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands provides the best premium, one-stop shop package for entrepreneurs to start a new venture and build their online presence.
($199 + state fees)
3. ZenBusiness
The Premium package offered by ZenBusiness includes some great formation tools such as a business email address, website, domain privacy, and rush processing. This comes at a price of $299 annually and would be most appealing to businesses building an online presence from scratch.
ZenBusiness also has a $0 plus state filing fees plan that includes basic formation services, but no EIN or registered agent. Finally, you can opt for the Essentials plan for $149, but with its main perk expedited filing, we're not sure it's feature-rich enough to stand out among the competition.
Pros
- Offers $0 plus state filing fees plan for basic LLC features
- Strong reputation for reliability
Cons
- Basics like EIN and registered agent not included
Read our full ZenBusiness review to learn more.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness provides essential services to help get your company up and running.
($0 + State Fees)
4. Incfile
Incfile offers some unique advantages, especially with its mid-tier Gold plan. For $149 annually, entrepreneurs will have essential business building tools like an EIN, bylaws, operating agreement, banking resolution, and customized corporate kit. All this on top of the one-year free registered agent service that comes with all Incfile plans, and the one-hour tax consultation included with all paid plans.
Pros
- Free one-year registered agent service included with all plans
- Offers $0 plus state fees basic formation plan
- Free one-hour business tax consultation with a certified professional for all paid plans
Cons
- Customer service may get backlogged and need to call you back
Read our full Incfile review to learn more.
Incfile
Incfile is one of the best LLC services if you are working with a limited budget, and want a lot of added features.
($0 + State Fees)
How to Form an LLC in Virginia
You can also start an LLC in Virginia on your own in five easy steps:
1. Name Your LLC
You won’t be able to form your company until you actually name it. Be sure to follow the LLC naming rules that are outlined in the Virginia naming requirements.
Then, make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a Business Entity Search on the Virginia State Corporation Commission website.
We also recommend using our LLC Name Generator tool to help secure a domain name for your enterprise in Virginia.
2. Choose a Registered Agent in Virginia
You are required to designate a registered agent for your Virginia LLC, which is an individual or business entity in charge of receiving legal documents, government correspondence, and more on behalf of your company.
If you form your company online by creating an account through the Virginia State Corporation Commission website, you’ll gain access to all the resources you need to appoint a registered agent.
If you form an LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization form, fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy with the State Corporation Commission. Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested in Article 2.
Learn more by reading our guide on Virginia registered agents.
3. File the Articles of Organization
To register your new company, you'll need to file Form LLC1011 - Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission. You can apply online or by mail, and the filing fee is $100.
Learn more with our Virginia Articles of Organization guide.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and operating procedures of your venture.
Although an operating agreement is not required, it’s recommended. According to Code of Virginia Section 13.1-1023, all members of an LLC may enter into an operating agreement to regulate the internal affairs of the company.
You can read more about Virginia LLC operating agreements in our full guide.
5. Get an EIN
You can think of an Employer Identification Number as a Social Security number for your enterprise. Get one for free through the IRS website.
FAQs
How much does it cost to start a Virginia LLC online?
It costs $100 to form a Virginia LLC online.
How do I pay the Virginia LLC annual fee?
You can pay your annual fee through the State Corporation Commission website.
What are some local resources to help me launch a new company in Virginia?
To help you start your venture, we have identified the best resources across the state: