As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources
West Virginia charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | West Virginia Secretary of State — Charities Division |
| Initial fee | $15–$50, tiered on contributions |
| Renewal fee | $15–$50, tiered on contributions |
| Renewal / report due | annually, on the registration anniversary |
| Filing channel | Paper / mail |
Who must register
West Virginia generally requires charitable organizations to register with the West Virginia Secretary of State — Charities Division before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting West Virginia residents as well as local ones.
W. Va. Code § 29-19-5(a) verbatim · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is a church, synagogue, association or convention of churches, religious order, or an organization forming an integral part of a church, holding a 501(c)(3) exemption and exempt from filing an annual federal return under IRC § 6033 (W. Va. Code § 29-19-6(5)) — exempt from registration, self-executing.
§ 29-19-6(5) verbatim in ky-wv-ut-primary-sources.md — TWO-PRONGED
Likely exempt if it employs no professional solicitor or fundraiser and receives no more than $50,000 in contributions, donations, or grants from the public in a calendar year (W. Va. Code § 29-19-6(7)) — exempt from registration, self-executing; registration is due within 30 days once contributions exceed $50,000.
§ 29-19-6(7) verbatim ($50,000 since the 2020 amendments — the $25,000 figure is pre-2020 law). CLEANEST ENCODE in the catalog: both statutory conditions are…
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Financial statement thresholds
- CPA review at $200,000+ contributions · § 29-19-5(a)(6)(B)
- Independent audit at $500,000+ contributions · § 29-19-5(a)(6)(A)
Is your charity registered in West Virginia? Check free.
Citations
- W. Va. Code § 29-19-5(a) verbatim · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-5(a) (register with the Secretary of State); Charities Division, 13 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. (SOS page's 'Chapter 9' reference is a typo — cor… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-5(d) verbatim · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Same § 29-19-5(d) fee with each annual refiling. Late fee § 29-19-5(f) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-5(a) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Paper Form CHR-1 mailed with fee (SOS Registration Steps). Online charity FILING not found on official pages (erls.wvsos.gov is the public SEARCH system — cr… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-6(5) verbatim in ky-wv-ut-primary-sources.md — TWO-PRONGED · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-6(7) verbatim ($50,000 since the 2020 amendments — the $25,000 figure is pre-2020 law). CLEANEST ENCODE in the catalog: both statutory conditions are… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-5(a)(6)(B) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- § 29-19-5(a)(6)(A) · source · verified 2026-07-23
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.