Charleston, W.Va. — Secretary of State Mac Warner is pleased to report that despite challenges due to the pandemic, the WVSOS Business & Licensing Division has actually seen an increase in new business registrations in the months of March and April. Despite the closure of most government agencies, the WV Secretary of State's Office has continued to assist new and existing customers efficiently and without interruption.

With the modernization of the Office over the last two years, WVSOS employees are able to temporarily work from home and continue to field calls and requests as quickly as possible.

The Business & Licensing Division is prioritizing the availability of Certificates of Existence for businesses during the State of Emergency. The Office is also working to confirm that charities are in good standing with the State. Both of these priorities will help expedite possible financial assistance from the federal government and financial lending institutions.

“While the coronavirus has affected the way the state and the business community interact with each other, it has not stopped our Business & Licensing Division from continuing to work with and serve our customers,”em> Warner said. “We continue to keep the needs of business owners and the private sector met.”

More than 1,800 new businesses registered with the state during March and April. Calhoun County led the state in new business registration growth with 4.22%. More than 500 out-of-state businesses registered during that time, and Kanawha County registered the most new businesses with 153. View the county-by-county business growth here.

The Secretary of State's Office also processed 12,450 annual reports between those two months. Annual reports for active West Virginia businesses are currently due by July 1 and may be filed online at Business4WV.gov.

During the same two-month period, the Business & Licensing Division processed 719 new notaries, 136 marriage celebrants, and completed 1,719 services of process. For Licensing information, visit WVSOS.gov.

The Secretary of State’s Office is offering extensions to charities that are due to expire during this time. Charities can request an extension by contacting the office at 304-558-8000 or toll-free at 866-767-8683.

Most business filings can be accomplished using the One Stop Business Portal at Business4WV.gov, which is available online 24/7 for business owners to electronically register with the state, pay fees, file annual reports, and more.

Documents for licensing requests, including service of process, notary commissions, apotille, and marriage celebrants, should be mailed to WV Secretary of State’s Office, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305.

While the Secretary of State’s Business Hubs in Clarksburg and Martinsburg, and WV One Stop Business Center in Charleston are currently closed to walk-ins, all business and licensing questions should be directed to 304-558-8000 or business@wvsos.gov.