Foreign registration · Form CF-1

Washington Corporation Foreign Registration in West Virginia

West Virginia registers a corporation from Washington as a foreign corporation on Form CF-1, with $101 in state fees. West Virginia may ask for Washington's Certificate of Existence ($20). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division using your Washington records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Washington vs West Virginia: the paperwork

	Washington formed here	West Virginia registering here
Document	Washington Certificate of Existence	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	Washington: online as an instant Express download, also emailed	Filed with West Virginia
Paid expedite		next-day $25, same-day (in person) $25, 2-hour $250, 1-hour $500
Office	Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division
Official page	ccfs.sos.wa.gov	sos.wv.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $70, every year	Annual Report, $25, every two years
Due	Last day of the entity's anniversary month	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 Washington registered agent	Our West Virginia agent for service of process

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

Your Washington name and West Virginia's rules

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

Your West Virginia agent and the Washington one

West Virginia calls it an agent for service of process; Washington says registered agent. West Virginia papers come to us; Washington's agent is unchanged.

Staying in good standing in Washington and West Virginia

Washington wants the Annual Report every year ($70); West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Washington to West Virginia

An LLC formed in Washington files Form LLF-1 with West Virginia ($151 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($20)). After that come Washington's Annual Report ($70) and West Virginia's Annual Report ($25). See the LLC filing.

Registering a West Virginia company in Washington

A corporation formed in West Virginia that registers with Washington files Washington's registration (no form number) with $200 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10) dated within 60 days. See that filing.

Common questions: Washington to West Virginia

Does my Washington company need to register in West Virginia?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

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

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

What are the yearly costs for Washington and West Virginia?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Washington's report ($70) and West Virginia's report ($25, every two years).

Does West Virginia require a registered agent?

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

Will West Virginia accept my Washington name?

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

Can I form a new West Virginia corporation instead?

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

How do I withdraw from West Virginia later?

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

Official sources

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