Updated on April 29, 2024
A Virginia registered agent is a person or business responsible for receiving official documents on behalf of a corporation. The agent must receive and forward these documents, which include processes, notices, and demands, to the corporation.[1] Every entity registered in Virginia is required to have a registered agent.
Top Registered Agents (7)
| Company | Price ($) | Document Scanning | Agent Change Fee | Annual Renewal Fee | Mobile App? |
*ZenBusiness 4.7 out of 5 – 13,467 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | iOS | Android |
| Incfile 4.7 out of 5 – 15,944 reviews | $119/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
Harbor Compliance 4.0 out of 5 – 17 reviews | $99/year | Yes | $50 | $0 | – |
Northwest Registered Agent 3.5 out of 5 – 62 reviews | $125/year | 15/year | $0 | $0 | – |
InCorp Services 2.2 out of 5 – 16 reviews | $129/year | Yes | $0 | $49 | iOS |
Virginia Registered Agent 0 reviews | $49/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
| Virginia Professional Services 0 reviews | $125/year | Yes | $0 | $0 | – |
*We collect affiliate fees from this company. Pricing is $99 for the first year and $199 for renewal.
Registered Agent Search
Step 1 – Visit the State Corporation Commission’s Business Entity Search page.
Step 2 – Select either “Individual” or “Entity” and enter the agent’s name. Click “Search.”
Step 3 – Click the entity ID associated with the correct agent.
Step 4 – Review information about the registered agent, including name, locality, and address.
Who can be a Registered Agent?
A registered agent can be an individual residing in Virginia who is either an officer or director of the corporation the agent represents or a member of the Virginia State Bar.[2]
Alternatively, an agent can be an entity, including a corporation, nonprofit, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership authorized to transact business in Virginia. A corporation cannot be its own agent.[3]
Designating a Registered Agent
The most common way entities designate a registered agent is to include the agent’s name and address in their formation document.
To form an entity online, visit the State Corporation Commission Clerk’s Information System. Alternatively, choose the appropriate form below and send it, along with payment for the filing fee, to State Corporation Commission, Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond VA 23218-1197. To courier, use this address: 1300 E. Main St, 1st floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
- Corporation: Articles of Incorporation
- $25 filing fee
- Nonprofit Corporation: Articles of Incorporation
- $75 filing fee
- Limited Liability Company: Articles of Organization
- $100 filing fee
- Foreign Limited Liability Company: Application for Certificate of Registration
- $100 filing fee
- Limited Partnership: Certificate of Limited Partnership
- $100 filing fee
- Foreign Limited Partnership: Application for a Certificate of Registration
- $100 filing fee
- Limited Liability Partnership: Statement of Registration
- $100 filing fee
- Foreign Limited Liability Partnership: Statement of Registration
- $100 filing fee
- Partnership: Statement of Partnership Authority
- $25 filing fee
Changing a Registered Agent
Resigning as a Registered Agent
To resign as a registered agent, either file a Statement of Resignation online or complete a statement and send it to State Corporation Commission, Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond VA 23218-1197.
A Statement of Resignation must include a sworn statement that the agent will mail a copy of the resignation notice to the entity’s registered office by certified mail on or before the business day following the filing.[4] The resignation takes effect 31 days after the statement is filed or when a new agent is appointed, whichever comes first.
Statement of Resignation
Download: PDF