CIS Help

The Clerk’s Information System (CIS) is an online tool that allows the public to search for key business information and helps businesses to more quickly and easily make payments and submit most filings required under Virginia law. Users can manage their business information in one place from their online dashboard, including annual reports, online payments, certificates, and other correspondence, so nothing ever gets lost. Additionally, the system has controls in place to prevent common filing errors and allows for real-time approvals, so you don’t have to wait to find out if your document was accepted.

Find help for:

• CIS Account Creation and Management
• Payments in the CIS
• Registered Agents
• Miscellaneous

CIS Account Creation and Management

My past login information is not working for the CIS. What is happening?

All customers, regardless of existing accounts with SCC and SCCeFile, must register for a new CIS account to log into CIS and access your business records. For step by step instructions, see our How-to guide on creating an account.

I have an SCCeFile account. Do I need to establish another account?

Yes, even if you have a SCCeFile account, you will need to set up a CIS account to access your business records in the new system. SCCeFile accounts were not transferred to the new CIS and are no longer available. For step by step instructions, see our How-to guide on creating an account.

How do I sign up for a CIS account in the new system?

You can create a CIS account online by entering your name, address, phone number, and email. You will need to create a username and secure password. A third-party identity management database will verify your information. If it matches, your account will be created, and you can begin using the new system immediately. For step by step instructions, see our How-to guide on creating an account.

I am getting the error message “Experian was not able to verify the name and home address combination." What do I need to do?

CIS includes an identity verification step that validates your identity by cross referencing it to your home address, not your business address. If you are still seeing this error, visit our account help request form to view additional troubleshooting tips or to submit a request to the Clerk's Office. 

I created a new CIS account but forgot my password. How do I reset it?

You can reset your password by choosing the “Forgot your password?” option from the CIS log-in page. You will receive an email with the new password. It may take a few minutes to receive it.

I am logged in to CIS but my dashboard is empty. Where is my business information?

Business information will populate on your dashboard once you complete a business transaction on the “Online Services” tab. After completing a business entity transaction, you will see your business in the “Business Entities” dropdown as well as any relevant “Alerts”. Note: CIS was launched in December 2019 and the dashbaord will only show business activities completed after that date.

Why did I receive a PIN? Or multiple PINs?

Each business and registered agent is issued a PIN to verify their authority to file and change records online. SCC records show that you are a business owner, a registered agent, or both. 

PINs have temporarily been suspended to facilitate electronic filing during the national health emergency. Please retain this information for your records.

Payments in the CIS

What types of payments can be completed in the CIS?

Annual registration fees, fees associated with online filings, and fees for copies & certificates can all be paid online in the Clerk's Information System (CIS). For more information, you can view our FAQs on annual registration fees or follow our how-to guide for paying online.

Is there a fee for paying online?

No. There is no additional fee for paying online.

How will a payment transaction appear on a credit card or bank account statement?

The payment will appear as a transaction labeled "VA SCC Clerk’s Office." This transaction reflects payments collected on behalf of the Clerk’s Office.

What happens to the credit card or bank account information provided when completing an online payment in CIS?

The Commission has contracted with a third party, LexisNexis, to provide a secure method for accepting and processing online payments in CIS on behalf of the Clerk’s Office. The Commission does not obtain or maintain customers’ credit card or other financial information.

Registered Agents

What actions can I perform online in the CIS as a Registered Agent? 

Legally, the only 3 filings a Registered Agent can perform are:  

• Name changes (due to legal name change, not change in Registered Agent),  
• Registered Office Address Change 
• Resignation  

If you are acting as an attorney or agent in fact for a business, you are permitted to submit any filings for the business so long as the business principal has authorized you to do so. 

How do I get the businesses for which I am a Registered Agent to appear on my dashboard under “Serving as Registered Agent”? 

Because we have temporarily disabled the RA PIN requirement for the CIS, there is not currently a way to add the businesses you’re responsible for to the dashboard. The SCC is working on bringing this functionality back soon. You can still perform actions as a Registered Agent by navigating to Online Services.

Can I see a fee payment history online for the businesses for which I am a Registered Agent? 

You cannot view payment history for a business entity online. If you need to obtain payment history for a business, you can submit a request to the Clerk’s Office.  

Do I need a separate login and password for each business that I represent as a Registered Agent? 

No. When you create an account with the Clerk’s Information System (CIS), that account is tied to you, not a particular business. You may use that one single account to perform your duties as a Registered Agent for all businesses for which you represent.  

Can I update the Registered Agent Office address for multiple business entities at the same time? 

The SCC Is working to bring this functionality to the CIS in the near future.  

Miscellaneous

Can I still submit filings on paper?

Yes, you can, but we hope you’ll consider filing online for real-time convenience and faster processing.

Which forms am I able to print online?

Almost all filings and fee payments can be done in CIS. If you need to print a form, all forms and associated fees are available by selecting the appropriate business entity from the Forms and Fees page.

What happens to my information if I decide not to complete a transaction and close my browser?

Incomplete transaction information is saved and will be available to you from the CIS dashboard for 90 days, after which time, it will be deleted.

Where are my previous transactions?

The CIS online dashboard will only show transactions that were completed online after December 9, 2019. Transactions completed via paper will not be displayed on the dashboard.

The Clerk's Information System (CIS) is compatible with the following browser versions:

• Microsoft Edge - 44.1 and above
• Chrome - 80.0 and above
• Safari - 13.1 and above
• Internet Explorer – 11.7 and above
• Firefox – 74.0 and above