Rhode Island

Foreign registration · Form CF-1

Rhode Island Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

West Virginia registers a corporation from Rhode Island as a foreign corporation on Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for Rhode Island's Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing ($22). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division from your Rhode Island records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

Rhode Island vs West Virginia: the paperwork

	Rhode Island formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	Rhode Island Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing	Form CF-1, Application for Certificate of Authority
State fee	$22	$101 at order (filing fee $100 plus charges collected at filing)
How it is handled	Rhode Island: online in about two business days, the same day in person, or in 5 to 7 business days by mail	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	sos.ri.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report for a Corporation (Form 630), $50, 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 takes a few days	Standard processing: standard processing takes 5 to 10 business days at no extra cost
Agent	Your Rhode Island resident agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

How Rhode Island companies register with West Virginia

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

Your Rhode Island name and West Virginia's rules

If West Virginia's records show it taken, you can use an alternate name for the Rhode Island company. We search West Virginia's records for Rhode Island's name on file before anything is filed.

Your West Virginia agent and the Rhode Island one

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

Staying in good standing in Rhode Island and West Virginia

Rhode Island wants the Annual Report for a Corporation (Form 630) every year ($50); West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Rhode Island to West Virginia

An LLC formed in Rhode Island files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing ($22)). After that come Rhode Island's Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company (Form 632) ($50) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

The other way: West Virginia into Rhode Island

A corporation formed in West Virginia that registers with Rhode Island files Form 150 with $319 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10). See that filing.

Questions Rhode Island owners ask about West Virginia

Does my Rhode Island company need to register in West Virginia?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does it cost to register a Rhode Island corporation in West Virginia?

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

What are the yearly costs for Rhode Island and West Virginia?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Rhode Island's report ($50) and West Virginia's report ($25, every two years).

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

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

Will West Virginia accept my Rhode Island name?

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

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

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

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

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

Official sources

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