Foreign registration · Form CF-1

Michigan Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

A corporation formed in Michigan that wants to do business in West Virginia files Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for Michigan's Certificate of Good Standing ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division using your Michigan records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Michigan vs West Virginia: the paperwork

	Michigan formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	Michigan Certificate of Good Standing	Form CF-1, Application for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$10	$101 at order (filing fee $100 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	Michigan: online, emailed to the MiLogin for Business account	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	michigan.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500, $25, every year	Annual Report, $25, every two years
Due	May 15	July 1 each year
Late yearly filing	$10 late fee	$50 late fee
Agent	Your Michigan resident agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

From Michigan to West Virginia, step by step

We prepare and file Form CF-1
It names us as your West Virginia agent for service of process, with your Michigan name and formation date. If West Virginia wants the Michigan certificate, it is ordered first. After approval, your Michigan corporation is registered with West Virginia.

Your Michigan name and West Virginia's rules

If West Virginia's records show it taken, you can use an alternate name for the Michigan company. We check your exact Michigan name against West Virginia's records before filing.

Agents: West Virginia and Michigan

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

Yearly filings: West Virginia and Michigan

Michigan wants the Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500 every year ($25); West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Michigan to West Virginia

An LLC formed in Michigan files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($10)). After that come Michigan's Annual Statement ($25) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

Registering a West Virginia company in Michigan

A corporation formed in West Virginia that registers with Michigan files Form CSCL/CD 560 with $60 in state fees. See that filing.

Questions Michigan owners ask about West Virginia

Does my Michigan company need to register in West Virginia?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the West Virginia registration cost?

$300 at checkout; West Virginia may also want Michigan'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 Michigan's certificate if West Virginia asks for it. Paid expedite: next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25.

What are the yearly costs for Michigan and West Virginia?

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

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

Yes: the Michigan resident agent stays, and ours covers West Virginia for year one.

Will West Virginia accept my Michigan name?

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

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

Yes, but Michigan keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files West Virginia's Annual Report ($25), and the original keeps Michigan's Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500.

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

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

Official sources

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