Domestications
Domestication is the process by which a business entity can change their state of formation. Virginia allows corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts to change their state of formation by filing articles of domestication. Domestication can occur both ways if allowed by the other jurisdiction (foreign to Virginia and Virginia to foreign).A foreign corporation, limited liability company or business trust can become a Virginia corporation, limited liability company or business trust by filing articles of domestication. That is, the business entity ceases to be incorporated, organized or formed under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction and instead becomes incorporated, organized or formed under the laws of Virginia.
You can view additional information on the difference between registering and domesticating a foreign business entity in our frequently asked questions.
Creating Articles of Domestication
We have produced guides to help you prepare the articles of domestication. You must prepare your articles as a separate document, using the forms below as a guide only, A marked-up version of the guide will not be accepted.
| DESCRIPTION | GUIDE FORM | FILING FEE |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Foreign limited liability company intending to become a Virginia limited liability company) | LLC1077-DOC LLC1077-PDF |
$100 File Online |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Foreign nonstock corporation intending to become a Virginia nonstock corporation) | SCC898.4-DOC SCC898.4-PDF |
$25 + any additional charter fee. Contact Clerk’s Office for assistance. File Online |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Foreign stock corporation intending to become a Virginia stock corporation) | SCC722.5-VA-DOC SCC722.5-VA-PDF |
$25 + any additional charter fee. Contact Clerk’s Office for assistance. File Online |
Articles of Organizations, Formation or Trust for the Virginia Entity
Articles of Organization, Incorporation, or Trust for the Virginia business entity must also be prepared as part of the domestication. The forms for these filings can be found below:
| FORM TITLE | SCC FORM #/FORMAT |
| Articles of Organization of a Virginia Limited Liability Company | LLC1011-DOC LLC1011-PDF |
| Articles of Incorporation of a Virginia Stock Corporation | SCC619-DOC SCC619-PDF |
| Articles of Incorporation of a Virginia Nonstock Corporation | SCC819-DOC SCC819-PDF |
| Articles of Trust of a Domestic Business Trust | BTA1212-DOC BTA1212-PDF |
A Virginia corporation, limited liability company or business trust can become a foreign corporation, limited liability company or business trust by filing articles of domestication. That is, the business entity ceases to be incorporated, organized or formed under the laws of the Virginia and instead becomes incorporated, organized or formed under the laws of another jurisdiction.
Creating Articles of Domestication
We have produced guides to help you prepare the articles of domestication. You must prepare your articles as a separate document, using the forms below as a guide only. A marked-up version of the guide will not be accepted.| DESCRIPTION | GUIDE FORM | FILING FEE |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Virginia limited liability company intending to become a foreign limited liability company) | LLC1078-DOC LLC1078-PDF |
$25 File Online |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Virginia nonstock corporation intending to become a foreign nonstock corporation) | SCC898.5-FN-DOC SCC898.5-FN-PDF |
$25 File Online |
| Guide for Articles of Domestication (Virginia stock corporation intending to become a foreign stock corporation) | SCC722.5-FN-DOC SCC722.5-FN-PDF |
$25 File Online |