The explanation · Virginia
2 Best LLC Services in Virginia (2026) for Owners
Summary
- State filing charge
- $100, a single payment
- After formation
- $50 each year
- Registered agent
- Required
- Where we would start
- Mainstay Filing then VA Registered Agent.org
Who we recommend in Virginia
Prices come from each company's own pricing page. The ranking is explained on how we pick.1. Mainstay Filing: best for paperwork taken off your hands
Pay $199 annually and $100 to the state
The reason Mainstay Filing leads here is that the annual registration fee is built into its $199 annual price alongside formation and the registered agent.
VA Registered Agent.org costs $200 less across three years but leaves you more filing.
Annual Registration Fee filing is part of the service; the only addition is the state's $50.
Includes
- Your LLC filed with the state
- Registered agent for the whole year
- Annual registration fee handled when due
- Help applying for an EIN
- State fees billed at cost
Points in its favor
- Renewal is $199
- Includes the EIN application
- One yearly price: $199
Where it falls short
- Renews $100 higher than VA Registered Agent.org
2. VA Registered Agent.org: best for staying in one state
Formation $199, agent renewal $99, state fee extra
In second place is VA Registered Agent.org, because forming costs $199, and the agent renews each year at $99.
Its price leaves out the Annual Registration Fee.
Includes
- Formation filing handled
- A first year of agent service
Points in its favor
- $199, with the state fee on top
- The agent is free for the first year
- The agent renews at $99
Where it falls short
- Filing the Annual Registration Fee stays with you
- The EIN is not included ($99)
Compare prices
| # | Provider | Year one | Renewal price | Total, 3 years | What you get | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Your LLC filed with the state; registered agent for the whole year; annual registration fee handled when due | Open Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | VA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | formation filing handled; A first year of agent service | Open VA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
What owners want to know
How much money should I set aside?
$100 goes to the state, and $199 more if you hire a service in year one.
Across three years the state's fees add up to $200, filing fee included. as of October 2026: law.lis.virginia.gov
Where does the formation paperwork go?
The LLC comes into being when the State Corporation Commission (SCC) approves the Articles of Organization of a Virginia Limited Liability Company (Form LLC-1011).
The governing law: Va. Code § 13.1-1010. as of October 2026: law.lis.virginia.gov
Is a registered agent a legal requirement?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A Virginia resident who is a member, manager or officer of the LLC (or of an entity that manages it) or a member of the Virginia State Bar, or a corporation, LLC or registered LLP authorized in Virginia.
as of October 2026: law.lis.virginia.gov
What does upkeep involve?
Chiefly the Annual Registration Fee, filed every year. Fee: $50. Due date as the state words it: last day of the LLC's anniversary month, so mark the calendar.
Filing late carries a $25 penalty.
as of October 2026: scc.virginia.gov
Do I need a service at all?
You can. Without a service, you pay the state alone: $200 across three years.
Hiring one adds $397 to $597 across three years.
What decided the ranking?
Mainstay Filing scores best on how much work the price handles, worth 28% of our ranking.
Five criteria set the order: what three years cost (34%), how much work the price handles (28%), prices spelled out (16%), renewal terms (12%) and reach beyond one state (10%).
Being spared the Annual Registration Fee is worth more to us than a small saving.
Virginia requirements checklist
| What it covers | Detail | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of filing | $100 | as of October 2026: law.lis.virginia.gov |
| Registered agent | Required | as of October 2026: law.lis.virginia.gov |
| Annual Registration Fee | $50 every year | as of October 2026: scc.virginia.gov |
| Years one to three, state fees | $200 | Added up from the rows above |
FAQ
Will they apply for my EIN?
Applying for an EIN costs $99 with VA Registered Agent.org, and nothing extra with Mainstay Filing.
Does the state charge for late filing?
A penalty of $25 applies.
What is the three-year price of each?
Mainstay Filing: $597 | VA Registered Agent.org: $397 (service fees only).
What are the figures based on?
Each state fee links to its official source, and each service price comes from the company's website.
Is a service required?
No law demands one. A service is a convenience.
Who would you hire first in Virginia?
We would start with Mainstay Filing, then VA Registered Agent.org.
Official sources and price pages
- Virginia yearly filing: Recurring filing via law.lis.virginia.gov, as of October 2026
- Virginia yearly filing: Recurring filing via scc.virginia.gov, as of October 2026
- Va via law.lis.virginia.gov, as of August 2026
- Virginia formation fee: Filing fee via law.lis.virginia.gov, as of October 2026
- Virginia registered agent statute via law.lis.virginia.gov, as of October 2026
- Prices taken from the Mainstay Filing Virginia service page on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the VA Registered Agent.org pricing page on November 13, 2026