Foreign registration · Form CF-1

North Dakota Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

To do business in West Virginia, a corporation formed in North Dakota registers there on Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for North Dakota's Certificate of Good Standing ($20). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division from your North Dakota records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

What North Dakota and West Virginia each ask for

	North Dakota formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	North Dakota Certificate of Good Standing	Form CF-1, Application for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$20	$101 at order (filing fee $100 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	North Dakota: online	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	North Dakota Secretary of State	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	firststop.sos.nd.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $25, every year	Annual Report, $25, every two years
Due	August 1	July 1 each year
Late yearly filing	$20 late fee	$50 late fee
Agent	Your North Dakota registered agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

From North Dakota 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 North Dakota name and formation date. If West Virginia wants the North Dakota certificate, it is ordered first. Once West Virginia approves it, the North Dakota company can do business there.

Will your North Dakota name work for West Virginia?

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

Agents: West Virginia and North Dakota

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

Staying in good standing in North Dakota and West Virginia

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

LLC or corporation, North Dakota to West Virginia

An LLC formed in North Dakota files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($20)). After that come North Dakota's Annual Report ($50) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

Registering a West Virginia company in North Dakota

A corporation formed in West Virginia that registers with North Dakota files North Dakota's registration (no form number) with $145 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: North Dakota to West Virginia

Does my North Dakota company need to register in West Virginia?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the West Virginia registration cost?

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

What are the yearly costs for North Dakota and West Virginia?

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

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

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

Will West Virginia accept my North Dakota name?

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

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

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

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

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

Official sources

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