West Virginia’s secretary of state is elected for a four-year term without term limits. The secretary of state is the smallest constitutional office in the state and is charged with overseeing elections. The “workhorse” of the secretary of state office is the business and licensing division, which facilitates the registration, licensing, and maintenance of a database of all businesses, corporations, notaries public, private investigators, and sports agents in the state. The secretary of state also transmits official paperwork and submits public notifications of all state agency meetings on behalf of the governor.

Business organization search

This allows you to search for a business and retrieve information about the corporation or business entity in West Virginia from the database of the Business division. To run a business search on the secretary of state’s website, you only need to enter the business name or agent/officer name. Use the advanced search option or this approach if you are having trouble searching.

1. Enter one or more keywords in the business name
2. Use the % symbol for a wild search

Note

The search result will include what is commonly referred to as a fictional business name in the results if they have registered with the State Tax department.

Setting a new corporation in West Virginia

To set up a new business entity in Vermont, some steps need to be taken and this process must be certified by the secretary of state business division. 

1. Carry out a business name availability search
2. Search the Internet for domain names to create a website and email accounts
3. Choose the type of business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
4. Obtain an IRS EIN (employer identification number)
5. Create articles of incorporation and bylaws that give important information about your business
6. Determine whether the new entity requires a license from the federal, state, or municipal government
7. Determine the payroll tax requirement
8. Determine the type of tax filing requirement, (either federal, state, or local government)
9. Create contact information for the business.

Business incorporation services

The West Virginia Secretary of state business division offers to domestic, foreign corporations, and limited liability companies the following document services:

Article of incorporation

This comprises both the domestic and international business formations

Articles of organization

This involves the formation of domestic and international limited liability companies.

Articles of amendment

This includes, but is not limited to, business address, registered office, and corporate name changes.

Articles of dissolution

This is a dissolution or closing of a corporation or limited liability company in West Virginia.

Certificate of Authority

This qualifies an organization to conduct business in West Virginia.

Others

• Certificate of good standing
• Business name availability checks and name reservation
• Initial report and statement of information

Annual report and filing

Annual reports are important; they keep the company’s records updated. Notification of filing requirements is sent by the Business division of West Virginia to business entities as required by the West Virginia code.

All business entities operating in West Virginia are required to file an annual report from 1^st Jan to 1^st July every year, this includes all kinds of business and there is a filing fee, the report may be filed and paid securely online through the One Stop Business Portal.