Best LLC Services in Virginia

Ready to form an LLC in one of the richest states in the country? Form an LLC in Virginia with these top-rated LLC services.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

Get Deal

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Form Your LLC

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

Get Deal

Whether it's a tech startup in Arlington or a food business in Richmond. It's important to set up your LLC correctly.

Here are five of the best LLC services in Virginia to help launch your dream business with ease.

Northwest Registered Agent

Best for: Enhanced privacy protection

If you're forming an LLC in Virginia, consider Northwest Registered Agent. It's one of the few LLC services that has its own office in every state. With its Richmond office just minutes away from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), Northwest can receive official documents and send them to you much faster.

More importantly, you can use it in LLC forms to keep your private residence off public records while maintaining a local business address. This is especially beneficial for home-based or online businesses without a business address.

Plus, all your personal information and legal documents are handled by Northwest's in-house Corporate Guides®. This further helps protect your privacy compared to others using a third-party customer service.

Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the country's oldest LLC services. It is best known for its enhanced privacy features, transparent pricing, and in-house customer service.

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

Core services and fees:
Northwest Registered Agent offers just one LLC formation package, with add-on services:

• Filing Services: $39 + state fees^[1]
  Aside from preparing and filing your documents, you also get one year of free registered agent service, an operating agreement, and 90 days of free website, email, and phone.

• Registered Agent Services: $125/year^[2]
  Get same-day scans, instant notifications, a business address, free mail forwarding, and more.

• Annual Report: $100/year + state fees^[3]
  Most states require LLCs to submit an annual report. It contains updated information about your business, including a new address, contact number, or member. Northwest files this report yearly, so you don't have to worry about due dates.

• Identity Services: $9+/monthly^[4]
  Northwest's business identity services are free for 90 days. Identity services include a website domain name, a customizable website, up to 10 business email addresses, and an Internet-accessible phone line (unlimited calls and texts).

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: DBA registration and business legal support

If your LLC name is too long or difficult to remember, registering a fictitious name will allow you to legally use something catchier and more memorable.

In Virginia, using a fictitious name requires filing a certificate with the SCC Clerk's Office. If you don't, you could face fines of up to $2,500, possible jail time, or both.^[5] You also won't be able to take legal action under that name in court.

To avoid the potential legal issues and save time, let LegalZoom do the heavy lifting. It'll help you choose a name that fits your brand, file your DBA paperwork correctly, and ensure you're following Virginia's rules.

LegalZoom also offers other legal services, like trademark and copyright protection, 1:1 consultations with a licensed attorney, and help with filing various types of documents for your LLC.

Whether you're just starting or growing your LLC, LegalZoom makes it easier to stay compliant while focusing on what matters—running your business.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped entrepreneurs with business formation needs over 4 million times.^[6] It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and receives mostly positive reviews from verified customers.^[7]

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Core services and fees:^[8]
LegalZoom has three LLC formation packages to choose from:

• Basic: $0 + state fees
  With LegalZoom's free plan, you get a business name availability check and of course, preparation and filing of formation documents. You only pay for the state filing fees.

• Pro: $249 + state fees
  Pro comes with everything from Basic and a few helpful features, like an operating agreement and EIN. You might also appreciate the free year of e-signature services, bookkeeping tools, and editor access to customizable forms.

• Premium: $299 + state fees
  With Premium, you get everything in the first two plans, plus a 30-day subscription for legal guidance services, copyright registration service, and LLC amendments with rush filing.

Pros + Cons:

Tailor Brands

Best for: LLC formation with branding services

With D.C. just next door, your Virginia LLC has easier access to high-paying government contracts and more networking opportunities.

However, being in a good location also means you have a lot of competition. So, if you want your business to stand out, you must have strong branding.

Tailor Brands helps with both forming your LLC and building your brand. You can create a logo, design a website, and even order custom merch—all in one place. It's a great choice if you're starting a business in Virginia and want to look professional from day one.

Founded in 2014, Tailor Brands is an online business formation company specializing in LLC and branding services. It's recommended for business owners who need help establishing their company's brand identity on top of starting an LLC.

Start Your LLC for $0 - Just Pay State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Check business name availability
• Lifetime compliance alerts
• Lifetime support via email and phone
• LLC filing + optional tools to build your brand

Pricing and packages:
Tailor Brands offers three types of LLC formation packages:

• Lite: $0 + state fees
  With Tailor Brands' cheapest plan, you only need to pay the state filing fees, then you'll get formation services like name availability research and preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization.

• Essential: $199/yr + state fees
  For an annual fee, the Essential plan also includes an operating agreement and annual compliance services. You're also entitled to expedited filing within two business days after payment.

• Elite: $249/yr + state fees
  Only Tailor Brands' most expensive plan comes with business branding tools. It includes extras like a 1-year free website domain, DIY website or e-commerce store, complimentary logos, business card tools, and a social media post tool.

Tailor Brands also offers add-ons like registered agents, business license and permit reports, and other business branding services.

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: LLCs that need contracts and legal advice

Many LLCs in Northern Virginia also have clients in neighboring Washington, D.C. They're usually service-based businesses in the professional, scientific, and technical services industries.

Rocket Lawyer can help these businesses draft the right contracts to meet D.C.'s high compliance standards, especially when working with government clients or large corporations that require formal agreements.

From client service contracts to NDAs and independent contractor agreements, Rocket Lawyer's customizable legal templates make it easier to stay protected. If you're unsure about legal language or liability, Rocket Lawyer also connects you with licensed attorneys who can review your documents and flag any risks.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[9] Its extensive network of on-call professional attorneys can assist with business registration, business contracts, trademarks, and more.

Plans and Pricing:^[10]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

Bizee

Best for: Foreign LLC formation services

With four of the country's richest counties in Virginia, it's no surprise that many businesses want to expand to the Old Dominion State. After all, money flows where money lives.

Forming a foreign LLC in Virginia costs around the same as a domestic LLC. However, the paperwork is different and requires a bit more legwork.

To avoid filing mistakes and save time, use Bizee's foreign LLC services. It can help you:

• Check if your LLC is qualified to do business in Virginia
  
• Obtain your Certificate of Fact of Existence/Registration
  
• File your LLC documents with the State Corporation Commission
  
• Assign a registered agent with a local physical address
  
• File a fictitious name for your LLC, if needed

Of course, you can get each of the services above from different LLC service providers. But if one provider can do it all for you, why juggle multiple? Bizee is one of the few LLC services that can help with foreign LLC qualification at an affordable rate, which saves you at least $100 compared to other providers.

Bizee, previously known as Incfile, is an online formation company that helps business owners start an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in any state. It also offers other LLC services like DBA filing, registered agent services, and EIN applications.

Plans and Pricing:
Bizee has three formation packages, each designed to fit different business needs. Here's what to expect from each plan:

• Basic: $0 + state fees^[11]
  Bizee's free plan prepares and files your documents with the state, and also includes unlimited business name search and one year of free registered agent. You'll also get lifetime compliance alerts, electronic delivery of LLC formation documents, and business tax consultation.

• Standard: $199 + state fees^[12]
  The Standard plan offers helpful extras like an operating agreement, EIN, and banking resolutions. It also provides unlimited phone and email support.

• Premium: $299 + state fees^[13]
  Premium is ideal if you want comprehensive business formation services in one plan. You get all the features of the first two plans plus business document templates, a website with a domain name, a business email, and express delivery of physical documents.

Aside from business formation, you can pay for a la carte services like business license research, DBA filing, and annual report services.

Pros + Cons:

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in Virginia, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in Virginia.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Lite)	$39 + state fees
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$125/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	14 business days	Within 1 business day
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	Case-to-case basis, otherwise, non-refundable	90-day money-back guarantee; State fees are non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 888-209-2092 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 7:30PM (EST) Saturday: 8AM - 5PM EST Email: contact@tailorbrands.com Online chat Web form	24/7 Phone: 509-768-2249 Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in Virginia

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in Virginia?

It could be worth forming an LLC in Virginia if you have a physical office, employees, and many customers in the state.

Fortunately, Virginia has a diverse economy, making it a fertile ground for various businesses. You could be in tech, healthcare, and tourism, among other thriving industries in Virginia.

How to Form an LLC in Virginia

Starting an LLC in Virginia is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in Virginia. It must also have Limited Liability Company, LLC, or similar at the end.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Articles of Organization
   Next, submit the Articles of Organization and the filing fee to the State Corporation Commission. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the annual registration fee and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Virginia a good state to start an LLC?

  Yes, Virginia can be a good state to start an LLC because it's one of the richest states in the country. Customers here are more likely to have higher spending power. The state's strong economy can also mean steadier demand across different industries.

• How much does an LLC cost in Virginia?

  It costs $100 to file the Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission.^[14] However, the total cost of forming an LLC in Virginia could be higher. You may have to pay for a fictitious name registration, business permits and licenses, registered agent services, and other expenses.

• What are the benefits of a Virginia LLC?

  Virginia consistently ranks as one of the top states for doing business. It offers a stable economy, reasonable regulatory requirements, and support for small business growth.

  Virginia's LLC filing fee is reasonably priced at $100, and unlike many states, Virginia does not require LLCs to file an annual report. Instead, LLCs only need to pay a flat $50 annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission to maintain good standing.

• Do LLCs pay taxes in Virginia?

  By default, Virginia treats LLCs as pass-through entities for tax purposes. Meaning all profits and losses are passed through the owner's personal income tax returns. However, the state income tax rate depends on your taxable income.

• Do I need a business license for my LLC in Virginia?

  Virginia doesn't have a state-level general business license. Instead, it leaves business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries. Depending on your business activity and location, you might need multiple permits or licenses to operate legally.

Bottom Line

Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, and Tailor Brands are the best LLC services in Virginia because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From enhanced privacy protection to branding tools, their comprehensive services can help your business thrive in the competitive Virginia market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

References