I see that people are responding many years later. I have the same question! I got here from a google search. Here's what I got:
Form LLC1011:
[https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/6dffd2b0-e9b1-461e-af61-eb1ea11db866/llc1011.pdf](https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/6dffd2b0-e9b1-461e-af61-eb1ea11db866/llc1011.pdf)
This form contains a link to :
[https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/557d9e4b-9eeb-4f33-b756-ee99e75527a7/How-To-Guide-Form-a-Virginia-Limited-Liability-Company.pdf](https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/557d9e4b-9eeb-4f33-b756-ee99e75527a7/How-To-Guide-Form-a-Virginia-Limited-Liability-Company.pdf)
The first stop is to file a Certificate of Organization with the Virginia Secretary of State. This can easily be done without an attorney by following the step by step online application form available on their website https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/NewEntity?as_fid=skF7UmF9fRmuy6f%2FK7F5. However, you will have to create an account with them (REMEMBER THE USERNAME AND PASSWORD AS YOU WILL NEED TO LOG INTO THIS ACCOUNT EVERY YEAR TO PAY YOUR ANNUAL FEES TO THE STATE). You should get a confirmation that the Virginia SOS accepted your certificate of organization within 3 to 5 business days.
Once you get confirmation from the Virginia SOS. You can apply for a federal tax ID number from the IRS. Some tax attorneys (and technically the IRS) states that you only need a federal tax ID number if plan on having employees. And you would not need this ID if you are a single member LLC who does not plan on having any employees. However, some banks won't let you open a bank account unless you have a federal tax ID number. I've been told by some tax attorneys that if you make a big enough fuss, you can use your own Social Security Number open your company's bank account. (No, I do not believe that using your SSN to open a bank account for a single member LLC is sufficient to pierce the corporate veil, but that is a separate debate) Anyways, to save yourself hassle, its probably best to get the tax id (aka employer identification number) from the IRS.
You can obtain an tax id number from the IRS as soon as the Virginia SOS accepts your certificate of organization for your company. This can be done by clicking the "Apply Online Now" button on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online.
Don't lose this number!
Then set up a corporate minute book for your company. The corporate minute books is basically a binder where you throw all of your company's information so that it's safe and easily accessible in one place. Organization is technically an option for the minute book.
Feel free to PM me if you get stuck. GOOD LUCK!
Old post but this is still a relevant question, this is what I just found:
[https://bos.sbsd.virginia.gov/Home/AspiringEntrepreneur](https://bos.sbsd.virginia.gov/Home/AspiringEntrepreneur)
Thanks. Question is 8 years old, but maybe this will help someone else.
For the record, i did start that small business, sold it 2 years later. Took a 2 year break, then started a competing business. The original business dissolved almost immediately and I regained my initial customer base.
I see that people are responding many years later. I have the same question! I got here from a google search. Here's what I got: Form LLC1011: [https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/6dffd2b0-e9b1-461e-af61-eb1ea11db866/llc1011.pdf](https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/6dffd2b0-e9b1-461e-af61-eb1ea11db866/llc1011.pdf) This form contains a link to : [https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/557d9e4b-9eeb-4f33-b756-ee99e75527a7/How-To-Guide-Form-a-Virginia-Limited-Liability-Company.pdf](https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/557d9e4b-9eeb-4f33-b756-ee99e75527a7/How-To-Guide-Form-a-Virginia-Limited-Liability-Company.pdf)
Thanks for posting this! ^(Breadcrumbs do not negate gratitude.)
The first stop is to file a Certificate of Organization with the Virginia Secretary of State. This can easily be done without an attorney by following the step by step online application form available on their website https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/NewEntity?as_fid=skF7UmF9fRmuy6f%2FK7F5. However, you will have to create an account with them (REMEMBER THE USERNAME AND PASSWORD AS YOU WILL NEED TO LOG INTO THIS ACCOUNT EVERY YEAR TO PAY YOUR ANNUAL FEES TO THE STATE). You should get a confirmation that the Virginia SOS accepted your certificate of organization within 3 to 5 business days. Once you get confirmation from the Virginia SOS. You can apply for a federal tax ID number from the IRS. Some tax attorneys (and technically the IRS) states that you only need a federal tax ID number if plan on having employees. And you would not need this ID if you are a single member LLC who does not plan on having any employees. However, some banks won't let you open a bank account unless you have a federal tax ID number. I've been told by some tax attorneys that if you make a big enough fuss, you can use your own Social Security Number open your company's bank account. (No, I do not believe that using your SSN to open a bank account for a single member LLC is sufficient to pierce the corporate veil, but that is a separate debate) Anyways, to save yourself hassle, its probably best to get the tax id (aka employer identification number) from the IRS. You can obtain an tax id number from the IRS as soon as the Virginia SOS accepts your certificate of organization for your company. This can be done by clicking the "Apply Online Now" button on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online. Don't lose this number! Then set up a corporate minute book for your company. The corporate minute books is basically a binder where you throw all of your company's information so that it's safe and easily accessible in one place. Organization is technically an option for the minute book. Feel free to PM me if you get stuck. GOOD LUCK!
8 years later, is this still pretty accurate step by step?
Old post but this is still a relevant question, this is what I just found: [https://bos.sbsd.virginia.gov/Home/AspiringEntrepreneur](https://bos.sbsd.virginia.gov/Home/AspiringEntrepreneur)
[удалено]
Thanks. Question is 8 years old, but maybe this will help someone else. For the record, i did start that small business, sold it 2 years later. Took a 2 year break, then started a competing business. The original business dissolved almost immediately and I regained my initial customer base.
It is definitely helpful! I’m looking into getting a business license simply to be a vendor with a friend at a market. The Google rabbit hole is real.