General FAQs

Once you have received legal advice that your business qualified as “doing business” in Virginia, you’ll need to file.
Once you have received legal advice that your business qualifies as “doing business” in Virginia you’ll need to file as a foreign entity.

The Entity Formation and Registration Documents page provides a list of different types entities in Virginia and the formation document.

The Clerk’s Office is happy to provide general information; we cannot offer legal advice. US Small Business Administration choose a business structure is a great resource for learning more. Also check out Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

You have three filing options:   

  • File online in real-time at cis.scc.virginia.gov. Check out the CIS Help page for how-to set up an account and submit filings
  • Mail documents to P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218-1197 or
  • Deliver documents to 1300 East Main Street, 1st Floor, Richmond, VA 23219

Types of acceptable payment methods include:

  • Online: Credit cards
  • Mailed: Check or money order
  • In-person: Credit card, money order, check, and cash
No. There is no additional fee for paying online.

Notices are sent to the registered office by mail.

 All businesses are required maintain a complete physical address including a locality for the registered office. (See How to update registered agent and registered office for details.)

To send mail to a Post Office Box, first request a Statement of Change Registered Agent And/or Registered Office using the  Online Forms Request. Then complete and send back the form once you have provided a street address in the first line, the Post Office Box number in the second address line followed by the city/town and zip code. The city/town and zip code must be the same as the registered office street address.

No. Contact the IRS for information regarding tax IDs and EIN numbers.
Your bank statement will show your payment as "VA SCC Clerk’s Office."
Send an email sccefile@scc.virginia.gov.
No. The SCC contracts with a third party to provide a secure method for accepting and processing online payments. Your financial information is not saved.