West Virginia Merger Information

Mergers are business agreements designed to combine two or more entities into a single surviving entity. This process is complex and typically involves filing applications with several government agencies. See the information below for details on filing merger documents with the secretary of state.

For Domestic Corporations:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $15 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

For Foreign Corporations:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $5 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

For Domestic Limited Liability Companies:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $15 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

For Foreign Limited Liability Companies:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $5 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

For Domestic Nonprofit Corporations:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $15 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

For Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:

Agency:	West Virginia Secretary of State - Business and Licensing Division
Form:	The state does not issue a form for mergers.
Agency Fee:	$25 for the first two companies + $5 per additional entity.
Notes:	Use the statutory instructions to create a draft of merger documents, then file these documents along with the required fee.

Key Terms

Acquisition - When one company purchases ownership of another company.

Consolidation - Occurs when two or more companies merge and a new entity is formed as a result. (Some states now classify consolidations as mergers for filings purposes.)

Merger - When two or more companies combine and one of the companies becomes the surviving entity.

West Virginia Resources

Annual Report Apostille - Authentication Architecture Firm License Articles of Incorporation Articles of Limited Partnership Articles of Organization Business License Certificate of Authority Certificate of Cancellation Service Certificate of Good Standing / Existence Certificate of Merger Certification - Authentication Change Your Registered Agent

Charitable Gaming License Charitable Gift Annuity Licensing Compliance Charitable Registration Construction License Converting Your Entity Corporation LLC Nonprofit Amendment Dissolve Corporation LLC Nonprofit Employer (Payroll & Withholding Tax) Registration Service Employment Agency Licensing Energy Licensing Engineering Firm License Entity Name Reservation Fictitious Name Registration & Renewal

Finance Licensing In Foreign Corporation Foreign LLC Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licenses How to Form an LLC How to Incorporate How to Start a Nonprofit Organization Insurance Licensing Licensing Resources Moving Your Company's Domicile to Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation Nonprofit Compliance Obtain Certified Copies

Private Investigator License Real Estate Licensing Registered Agent Information & Service Reinstate Corporation LLC Nonprofit Sales & Use Tax Registration Service Sales Tax Exemption Start a Business Tax Clearance Certificate Tax Exemption Utilization Review Certification / License

Revised September 17, 2020. Complete data last reviewed September 17, 2020.

Compliance Software

Compliance Services