Run by the Secretary of State’s Business & Licensing Division, with filings through the One Stop Business Portal.
West Virginia Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The West Virginia Secretary of State offers a free business entity search, and pairs it with the One Stop Business Portal — a single sign-on that handles filings across several state agencies, not just the Secretary of State.
Business Name Availability Check
State of West Virginia
What the West Virginia Business Search Covers
Each record lists the ID, status, formation date, registered agent, principal office, and filing history.
Searching is free; filings span multiple agencies through One Stop.
How to Search by Business Name
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1
Open the West Virginia business search
Go to the Secretary of State's Business Entity Search, or use the direct link below. It is free.
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2
Search by name or ID
Enter the organization name or its ID number. Start broad with part of the name and narrow from the results.
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3
Read the results
Results show matching entities with their status. Click an entity to open its record.
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4
Review the entity record
The record shows status, entity type, formation date, registered agent, principal office, and filing history.
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File through the One Stop Portal
Filings, including the annual report, go through the One Stop Business Portal, which also connects to the Tax Department and other agencies.
Ready to try it? Open the official business entity search and run your query.
Search West Virginia businesses ↗All the Ways to Search West Virginia Records
Organization Name
Search by company name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗ID Number
Go straight to one record using the entity's ID number.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
The registered agent appears on each entity record.
Open this search ↗Filing History
From a record, review the entity's filings, including annual reports.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by organization name or ID number.
- Searching is free.
- Filings run through the One Stop Business Portal, which spans multiple state agencies.
- You can update the agent, addresses, and officers when you file the annual report.
- The portal connects the Secretary of State, Tax Department, WorkForce WV, and the Division of Labor.
- Annual reports are due between January 1 and June 30 ($25), for-profit and nonprofit alike.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ID Number | The identification number the Secretary of State assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active or in another condition. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit. |
| Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in West Virginia or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Agent | The name and West Virginia address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Office | The entity's principal business address as most recently reported. |
| Filing History | A list of the entity's filings, including annual reports and amendments. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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1
Open the entity’s record
Search by name or ID and open the record.
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2
Open the filing history
Review the entity’s filings, including annual reports and amendments.
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3
Use the One Stop Portal
Log into the One Stop Business Portal and click the Secretary of State tab to file or update records.
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File the annual report
Use "Annual Report With Changes" to update the agent, addresses, and officers as you file.
Annual report: West Virginia entities file an annual report ($25) between January 1 and June 30 each year through the One Stop Business Portal.
West Virginia Business Search - Common Questions
Is the West Virginia business search free?
Yes. The Secretary of State Business Entity Search is free to use.
What is the One Stop Business Portal?
It is a single sign-on for business filings across the Secretary of State, State Tax Department, WorkForce WV, and the Division of Labor.
Does West Virginia require an annual report?
Yes. For-profit and nonprofit entities file an annual report with a $25 fee between January 1 and June 30 each year.
Can I change my registered agent on the annual report?
Yes. Use the "Annual Report With Changes" option to update the agent, addresses, and officers when you file.
How do I find a company's registered agent?
The registered agent appears on the entity record in the search.
A name is available in West Virginia. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.