How to look up West Virginia business entity information

You can find your West Virginia business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, through the West Virginia Secretary of State's business search portal. This free online database provides access to the details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

In this article, we'll guide you through exactly how to search the West Virginia database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in West Virginia's system.

Summary table: Finding your West Virginia entity information

How to search for West Virginia business entities

Access the West Virginia business entity search to look up any registered business by name or entity number.

While West Virginia's system supports partial matches (searching "Mountain" will return "Mountain View Consulting LLC"), using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results. 

Click your entity name in the results to view complete details, including your entity number and formation date.

West Virginia's search interface is particularly user-friendly, requiring no account creation or special formatting. The system processes searches quickly and displays results in a clear table showing entity names, types, cities, status, and a "Details" button for accessing comprehensive information.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership, PLLC, Not-for-profit Corporation, etc.)
• Organization Number
• Formation/file date
• Current status (Active, Dissolved, etc.)
• City of the principal office

How to find your entity number in West Virginia

Your West Virginia entity number, officially called your "Control Number," is assigned by the West Virginia Secretary of State at the time your entity is formed. The number may not always be seven digits.

Where to locate your West Virginia entity number

1. West Virginia business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results and at the top of the entity details page
• Labeled as: "Organization Number"
• Format: 1234567 (six to seven digits)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• Typically labeled as Organization Number
• Stamped by the Secretary of State when filed

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official West Virginia Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for state filings

West Virginia entity number format

• Format: Six to seven digits assigned sequentially
• Example: 1234567
• Pattern note: Numbers are assigned in order of filing, so newer entities have higher numbers

How to find your entity type in West Virginia

West Virginia recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your West Virginia entity type

1. West Virginia business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results under entity information
• Listed as: "Entity Type" or "Type"
• Shows full designation: LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership, etc.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• May state "Articles of Organization" (for LLCs) or "Articles of Incorporation" (for corporations)
• Uses the complete legal designation

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment filing

How to find your formation date in West Virginia

Your formation date (when the West Virginia Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in West Virginia business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization.

Where your West Virginia formation date appears

1. West Virginia business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Formation Date" or "File Date"
• Location: Displayed in the search results table and on the detailed entity page
• Format: MM/DD/YYYY

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document
• May say "Filed on [date]" or show filing stamp with date
• Sometimes includes the Secretary of State's official seal with the filing date

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date
• Used to calculate annual report due dates and compliance requirements

Formation date vs. effective date

West Virginia's formation date and effective date are typically the same. West Virginia allows delayed effective dates for business entities, but most entities choose immediate effectiveness. 

If your Certificate shows both dates, use the formation date (file date) for business purposes, as this is when the West Virginia Secretary of State officially recognized your entity.

Onboard your entity to Discern

Managing one West Virginia LLC or fifty entities across multiple states? Discern ensures you never miss a filing deadline. Our platform automates West Virginia's annual report requirements alongside your other state obligations, tracking deadlines and managing registered agent services so nothing falls through the cracks.

Book a demo to see how we simplify ongoing compliance.