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West VirginiaSB 8522026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Increasing fees for execution of service of process by certified mail

Sponsored By: Robbie Morris (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§59-1-2

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Fee breaks for veteran businesses

Veteran‑owned businesses that started on or after July 1, 2015 are exempt from many listed formation and registration fees. Businesses owned by active‑duty members that started on or after July 1, 2021 get the same exemptions. Most start‑up and registration items in the law are covered. Some charges, like shipping for service of process, may still apply.

Fees to serve legal papers

The Secretary of State charges $20 to accept, index, and record service of process. You also pay mailing costs for service by mail: $15 for certified mail within the United States, and $20 for registered mail outside the United States. Each mailing is charged separately. Collected shipping fees go to the Secretary of State’s special revenue account.

Set fees for business filings

The law sets filing fees for forming and managing businesses in West Virginia. Examples: $100 to form a for‑profit corporation or an LLC; $25 to form a nonprofit. Common foreign filings include $100 for a for‑profit certificate of authority, $50 for nonprofit, $150 for a foreign LLC, and $500 for certain partnership registrations. You pay $15 to change your agent, office, or officers, and $15 to reserve a business name (per reservation). Certificates cost extra, like $10 for a good standing certificate and $15 for a certified charter (plus $5 for each added amendment page).

Fees and rules for records

The Secretary of State charges for searches and copies. Off‑site searches have a $10 minimum; searches over one hour cost $10 per hour; on‑site searches cost $5. Paper copies cost $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each extra page; faxing costs $5; publications are about $2 plus $0.10 per page (rounded); a disk costs at least the cheapest printed option plus $5 per disk. The Secretary may propose rules to charge for online access, with legislative approval. The Secretary may give information for free to inform the public or news media. You cannot buy state‑prepared records for resale without a written agreement and paying the state for each resale.

Expedited service option and prepay

After July 1, 2017, the Secretary of State may offer expedited processing for a fee up to $500 per request. You may place money in a prepaid escrow account for future services. The account charges no holding fee, refunds are allowed anytime without penalty, and it does not earn interest.

How filing fees are managed

One‑half of certain fees go into the Service Fees and Collections Account, and spending from it needs legislative approval. Each June 30, any balance over $500,000 in that account moves to the General Revenue Fund. Starting July 1, 2008, a General Administrative Fees Account holds named fee receipts, and its year‑end balances stay in that fund. For the year ending June 30, 2009, that fund could be spent from collections. Current statutory fees stay in place until the Legislature approves a new fee schedule proposed by rule.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robbie Morris

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 9

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 469)

Yes: 90 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 277)

Yes: 26 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/18/2026

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  6. House Message received

    3/13/2026Senate

  7. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  8. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026House

  9. Passed House (Roll No. 469)

    3/12/2026House

  10. Communicated to Senate

    3/12/2026House

  11. Completed legislative action

    3/12/2026House

  12. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  13. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  14. Do pass

    3/10/2026House

  15. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026House

  16. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026House

  17. House received Senate message

    3/3/2026House

  18. Introduced in House

    3/3/2026House

  19. To Government Organization

    3/3/2026House

  20. To House Government Organization

    3/3/2026House

  21. On 3rd reading

    3/2/2026Senate

  22. Read 3rd time

    3/2/2026Senate

  23. Passed Senate (Roll No. 277)

    3/2/2026Senate

  24. Ordered to House

    3/2/2026Senate

  25. On 2nd reading

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

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