Foreign registration · Form CF-1

New Hampshire Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

To do business in West Virginia, a corporation formed in New Hampshire registers there on Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for New Hampshire's Certificate of Good Standing ($5). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division using your New Hampshire records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

New Hampshire vs West Virginia: the paperwork

	New Hampshire formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	New Hampshire Certificate of Good Standing	Form CF-1, Application for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$5	$101 at order (filing fee $100 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	New Hampshire: online	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	quickstart.sos.nh.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $100, every year	Annual Report, $25, every two years
Due	April 1	July 1 each year
Late yearly filing	$50 late fee	$50 late fee
Agent	Your New Hampshire registered agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

From New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire name and formation date. If West Virginia wants the New Hampshire certificate, it is ordered first. After approval, your New Hampshire corporation is registered with West Virginia.

Will your New Hampshire name work for West Virginia?

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

Your West Virginia agent and the New Hampshire one

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

Staying in good standing in New Hampshire and West Virginia

New Hampshire wants the Annual Report every year ($100); West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, New Hampshire to West Virginia

An LLC formed in New Hampshire files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($5)). After that come New Hampshire's Annual Report ($102) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

Registering a West Virginia company in New Hampshire

A corporation formed in West Virginia that registers with New Hampshire files Form 40 with $102 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: New Hampshire to West Virginia

Does my New Hampshire company need to register in West Virginia?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the West Virginia registration cost?

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

What are the yearly costs for New Hampshire and West Virginia?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), New Hampshire's report ($100) and West Virginia's report ($25, every two years).

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

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

Will West Virginia accept my New Hampshire name?

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

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

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

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

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

Official sources

People also search

Corporation into West Virginia, by home state (48)

New Hampshire into other states (41)

The same move for an LLC