Arkansas Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

A corporation formed in Arkansas that wants to do business in West Virginia files Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for Arkansas's Certificate of Good Standing ($25). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division using your Arkansas records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Arkansas vs West Virginia: the paperwork

	Arkansas formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	Arkansas Certificate of Good Standing	Form CF-1, Application for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$25	$101 at order (filing fee $100 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	Arkansas: online, ready to print right after purchase	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	sos.arkansas.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Corporation Franchise Tax Report, $150, every year	Annual Report, $25, every two years
Due	May 1	July 1 each year
Late yearly filing	$25 late fee	$50 late fee
Turnaround	Certificate issued instantly online	Standard processing: standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days at no extra cost
Agent	Your Arkansas registered agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

From Arkansas to West Virginia, step by step

We prepare and file Form CF-1
It lists us as your West Virginia agent for service of process, next to your Arkansas name and formation date. If West Virginia wants the Arkansas certificate, it is ordered first. Once West Virginia approves it, the Arkansas company can do business there.

Your Arkansas name and West Virginia's rules

If another West Virginia company uses the Arkansas name, an alternate name is allowed. We check your exact Arkansas name against West Virginia's records before filing.

Agents: West Virginia and Arkansas

West Virginia calls it an agent for service of process; Arkansas says registered agent. Your current registered agent stays for Arkansas; ours takes West Virginia's papers and notices.

Staying in good standing in Arkansas and West Virginia

Arkansas wants the Annual Corporation Franchise Tax Report every year ($150); West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Arkansas to West Virginia

An LLC formed in Arkansas files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($25)). After that come Arkansas's Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report ($150) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

Questions Arkansas owners ask about West Virginia

Does my Arkansas company need to register in West Virginia?

Yes, once an Arkansas business operates there; West Virginia registers it as a foreign corporation.

Is this a certificate of authority?

Yes: West Virginia issues one to Arkansas corporations once the form is approved.

How much does it cost to register an Arkansas corporation in West Virginia?

$300 at checkout; West Virginia may also want Arkansas's Certificate of Good Standing, at extra cost.

How long does the West Virginia registration take?

West Virginia's standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days at no extra cost, plus time for Arkansas's certificate if West Virginia asks for it. Paid expedite: next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25.

What are the yearly costs for Arkansas and West Virginia?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Arkansas's report ($150) and West Virginia's report ($25, every two years).

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

Yes: the Arkansas registered agent stays, and ours covers West Virginia for year one.

Will West Virginia accept my Arkansas name?

Yes, if no company there has it; if one does, it uses an alternate name there and keeps its Arkansas name at home.

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

Yes, but Arkansas keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files West Virginia's Annual Report ($25), and the original keeps Arkansas's Annual Corporation Franchise Tax Report.

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

Arkansas companies leave by filing a withdrawal application; until then, West Virginia's report stays due alongside Arkansas's filings.

Official sources

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