Virginia LLC Annual Registration Fee: Your Complete 2025 Compliance Guide

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist

Virginia’s LLC annual requirement has a quirk that confuses most entrepreneurs: it’s called an “Annual Registration Fee,” not an annual report. After helping over 1,200 business owners maintain compliance across all 50 states, I can tell you this naming distinction matters more than you might think.

The good news? At $50 annually with a reasonable 3-month grace period, Virginia’s requirement is straightforward and affordable. The potential gotcha? Virginia automatically cancels LLCs that don’t pay, and their anniversary-month due date system catches many entrepreneurs off guard.

But here’s what I appreciate about Virginia’s system: they send helpful reminder notices and provide multiple payment options, making compliance manageable for organized business owners.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know to keep your Virginia LLC in good standing without any surprises.

Virginia LLC Annual Registration Fee Essentials

Annual cost: $50 (no exceptions, even if you made $0)
Due date: Last day of your LLC’s anniversary month
Grace period: 3 months with $25 penalty
Consequence of non-payment: Automatic LLC cancellation
Payment methods: Online (recommended) or mail

Important distinction: Virginia LLCs pay an “Annual Registration Fee”—they don’t file annual reports like corporations do. This isn’t just semantics; it affects how you search for information and what forms you need.

Understanding Virginia’s Anniversary Month System

Virginia’s due date system is different from states that use calendar year deadlines. Your due date depends on when your LLC was originally formed.

How to Find Your Anniversary Month

Step 1: Visit Virginia’s Business Entity Search
Step 2: Search for your LLC name
Step 3: Look for the “Formation Date”
Step 4: The month of formation is your anniversary month

Due Date Examples

LLC formed July 15, 2024:

• First fee due: July 31, 2025
• Every year after: July 31st

LLC formed January 17, 2025:

• First fee due: January 31, 2026
• Every year after: January 31st

Jake’s pro tip: Add your anniversary month due date to your calendar immediately after forming your LLC. Virginia’s system catches many entrepreneurs off guard because it’s different from the December 31st deadlines most states use.

Virginia’s Payment Timeline and Penalties

The Full Timeline

2-3 months before due date: Virginia sends Assessment Notice
2 months before due date: You can begin paying online
Due date: Last day of anniversary month
Grace period: 3 months after due date (with $25 penalty)
Automatic cancellation: If still unpaid after grace period

Penalty Structure

On-time payment: $50
Late payment (within grace period): $75 ($50 + $25 penalty)
After grace period: LLC automatically cancelled by Virginia

Jake’s reality check: That $25 penalty might seem small, but automatic cancellation after the grace period is serious. Virginia doesn’t send additional warnings—they just cancel your LLC.

Virginia’s Helpful Assessment Notice System

Unlike many states that leave you to remember deadlines on your own, Virginia sends Assessment Notices 2-3 months before your fee is due.

What the Assessment Notice Includes

• Your LLC’s SCC ID number
• Due date for payment
• Payment amount ($50)
• Payment instructions
• Contact information for questions

Important Limitations

The Assessment Notice is a courtesy, not a requirement. You’re responsible for paying even if:

• You don’t receive the notice
• Your registered agent address changed
• Mail gets lost or delayed

If you don’t receive your Assessment Notice:

• Request one by email: Forms Request
• Call Virginia SCC: 804-371-9967
• Pay online without the notice (you can still access the system)

How to Pay Your Virginia LLC Annual Registration Fee

Method 1: Online Payment (Recommended)

Access: Virginia’s Clerk’s Information System (CIS)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Sign in to your CIS account (or create one if needed)
2. Click “Pay Registration Fees”
3. Search for your LLC by name or Entity ID
4. Select your LLC from results
5. Skip optional email/phone fields
6. Click “Add to shopping cart” then “Checkout”
7. Complete payment with credit/debit card

Why I recommend online payment:

• Immediate confirmation
• No risk of mail delays
• Digital receipt for your records
• Available 24/7 during payment window

Method 2: Mail Payment

When to use mail payment:

• You’re not comfortable with online systems
• You prefer paper records
• You want to use the Assessment Notice as your form

Requirements:

• Check or money order for $50
• Payable to “Treasurer of Virginia”
• Include your SCC ID number on the payment
• Include your Assessment Notice

Mail to: State Corporation Commission
Clerk’s Office
PO Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218-1197

Critical timing note: Virginia requires payment to be received by the due date, not postmarked. Mail at least 2 weeks early to ensure on-time delivery.

Setting Up Your Virginia LLC Compliance System

Calendar Reminder Strategy

Primary reminder: 60 days before due date
Secondary reminder: 30 days before due date
Final reminder: 7 days before due date

Example for July anniversary month:

• May 31: Start planning to pay fee
• June 30: Complete payment
• July 24: Final reminder if not yet paid

Multi-LLC Management

If you have multiple Virginia LLCs:

• Create a master compliance calendar
• Track each LLC’s anniversary month separately
• Consider paying all fees at once if timing allows
• Use a spreadsheet to track SCC ID numbers and due dates

Record Keeping System

Essential documents to maintain:

• Payment confirmations
• Assessment Notices
• CIS account login information
• Calendar reminders for future years

Common Virginia Annual Fee Mistakes

After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs with Virginia compliance, here are the mistakes I see most often:

Mistake 1: Confusing It With Annual Reports

Virginia LLCs pay fees, not file reports. Don’t waste time looking for Virginia LLC annual report forms—they don’t exist.

Mistake 2: Relying Only on Assessment Notices

These are helpful reminders, but you’re responsible for payment whether you receive them or not.

Mistake 3: Assuming Calendar Year Due Dates

Virginia uses anniversary months, not December 31st deadlines like many states.

Mistake 4: Mailing Too Late

Remember: Virginia needs to receive your payment by the due date, not just postmark it.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Grace Period Deadlines

The 3-month grace period gives you time to catch up, but Virginia will cancel your LLC if you miss this final deadline.

Strategic Considerations for Virginia LLCs

Multi-State LLC Portfolio Management

If you have LLCs in multiple states:

• Virginia’s $50 fee is reasonable compared to most states
• Their anniversary system requires separate tracking from calendar-year states
• Consider professional compliance services if managing 10+ entities

Business Banking and Credit Implications

Maintaining good standing matters for:

• Business bank account requirements
• Commercial credit applications
• Professional licensing renewals
• Contract and vendor relationships

Tax vs. Registration Fee Obligations

Important distinction: Paying your registration fee doesn’t handle tax obligations. You still need to:

• File federal tax returns
• Handle Virginia state tax requirements
• Manage local tax obligations
• File required business reports (separate from registration fees)

When Your Virginia LLC Gets Cancelled

If Virginia cancels your LLC for non-payment:

• Your liability protection ends
• You can’t legally operate under the LLC name
• Reinstatement requires additional paperwork and fees
• Business contracts and banking relationships may be affected

Reinstatement process:

• Pay all outstanding fees and penalties
• File Articles of Reinstatement
• Additional fees may apply
• Processing takes additional time

Jake’s advice: It’s always cheaper and easier to stay current than to reinstate a cancelled LLC.

Professional Help vs. DIY Management

DIY Makes Sense When:

• You have one Virginia LLC
• You’re organized with calendar reminders
• You’re comfortable with online or mail payment systems
• You understand the anniversary month system

Consider Professional Help When:

• Managing multiple LLCs across different states
• You travel extensively during payment periods
• You want to outsource all compliance tasks
• Your business structure changes frequently

Virginia vs. Other States: What Makes It Different

Virginia’s advantages:

• Reasonable $50 annual fee
• Helpful Assessment Notice reminders
• 3-month grace period for late payments
• Multiple payment options

Virginia’s challenges:

• Anniversary month system requires individual tracking
• Automatic cancellation with no additional warnings
• Must receive payment by due date (not postmark date)

The Bottom Line on Virginia LLC Registration Fees

Virginia’s Annual Registration Fee system is entrepreneur-friendly once you understand their anniversary month structure and naming conventions. At $50 annually with helpful reminders and reasonable grace periods, they make compliance manageable for organized business owners.

Key success principles:

1. Know your specific anniversary month due date
2. Set up reliable calendar reminders
3. Pay online for speed and convenience
4. Don’t rely solely on Assessment Notices
5. Keep thorough records of all payments

Remember: This $50 annual investment maintains your LLC’s legal status and preserves all the benefits of your business structure. It’s a small cost for the significant legal and tax advantages your Virginia LLC provides.

Virginia’s business-friendly environment extends to their reasonable compliance requirements. Take advantage of their helpful systems while staying current with your obligations.

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Jake Lawson is an LLC Formation Strategist and Tax Advisor who has successfully helped over 1,200 entrepreneurs maintain compliance across all 50 states. He specializes in creating streamlined compliance systems that prevent costly mistakes and provides unbiased reviews of formation and compliance services at llciyo.com.