Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Virginia Corporation

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BY-LAWS OF A CORPORATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING

Example: _____________________________[1] will become JOHN DOE.

ARTICLE ONE

The full name of the corporation must be provided at the top of the page and in Article I, Section 1 of the bylaws.

Field [1] - Name of Corporation

The address of the principal office and registered office must be provided in Article I, Section 2 of the bylaws. This can be the same address.

Field [2] - Provide address of principal office and registered office. These can be the same address.

Field [3] - City that the Principal Office is located

Field [4] - City that the Registered Office is located

ARTICLE TWO

An annual meeting date must be scheduled and set out under Article II, Section 1 with a year for the first meeting after the organization meeting.

Field [5] - Year of first meeting after organization meeting.

ARTICLE THREE

At least one director should be provided for in Article III, Section 2.

Field [6] - Spelled out number of directors. Ex. Three

Field [7] - Number form of the number of directors. Ex. 3

ARTICLE FOUR

In Article IV, Section 1, you must name the officers, such as President, Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer. The same individual may hold two or more offices, except that the same person cannot be both the President and the Secretary unless there is only one stockholder.

Field [8] - Name officers of the corporation. You should have a President and a Secretary. The same individual may hold two or more offices.

BY-LAWS

OF

ARTICLE I. NAME AND LOCATION

SECTION 1. The name of this corporation shall be

SECTION 2. The Principal office of the corporation in the State of Virginia shall be , , Virginia and its initial registered office in the State of Virginia shall be , VA.

The corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Virginia as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the corporation may require from time to time.

ARTICLE II. SHAREHOLDERS

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the second Tuesday of the month of December in each year, beginning with the year at the time designated by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.

If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday in the State of Virginia, such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. If the election of Directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting of the shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as convenient.

SECTION 2. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the President at the request of the holders of not less than a majority of all the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote on any issue proposed to be considered at the meeting, provided said shareholders sign, date and deliver to the corporate Secretary one or more written demands for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

SECTION 3. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Virginia unless otherwise prescribed by statute as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 4. Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.

SECTION 5. Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors of the corporation may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, seventy (70) days.

SECTION 6. Shareholders' List. After fixing a record date, the officer or agent having charge of the share ledger of the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of all persons entitled to notice and to represent shares at such meeting, or any adjournment thereof, and said list shall be arranged by voting group and shall show the address of and the number of shares held by each shareholder or representative.

SECTION 7. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 8. Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact.

SECTION 9. Voting of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of this Article II, each outstanding share entitled to vote shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 10. Voting of Share by Certain Holders. Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the By-Laws of such corporation may prescribe.

SECTION 11. Informal Action by Shareholders. Unless otherwise provided by law, any action required to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

SECTION 12. Cumulative Voting. Unless otherwise provided by law, at each election for Directors every shareholder entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, shall have the right to vote at such election the number of shares owned by him for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election he has a right to vote.

ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors except as otherwise herein provided.

SECTION 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The number of Directors of the corporation shall be ( ).

Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

SECTION 3. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this By-Law immediately after, and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any Director.

SECTION 5. Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least five (5) days previously thereto by notice personally given or mailed to each Director at his business address, or by telegram.

SECTION 6. Quorum. A majority of the number of Directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act or the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors, the Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as Director.

SECTION 9. Presumption of Assent. A Director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting.

SECTION 10. Informal Action by Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by law, any action required to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by each director.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be a , each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation to be elected by the Board of Directors shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders.

SECTION 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment, the best interest of the corporation would be served thereby.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

SECTION 5. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the corporation.

SECTION 6. Vice-President. The Board of Directors may determine when there is a need for a Vice-President or Vice-Presidents.

SECTION 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors meetings and perform other customary duties.

SECTION 8. Salaries. The salaries, compensation and other benefits, if any, of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V. CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

SECTION 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation.

SECTION 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation.

SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

ARTICLE VI. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

SECTION 1. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his legal representative.

ARTICLE VII. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December in each year.

ARTICLE VIII. DIVIDENDS

The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE IX. SEAL

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the state of incorporation and the words "Corporate Seal."

ARTICLE X. WAIVER OF NOTICE

Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or Director of the corporation under the provisions of these By-Laws or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at any annual Board of Directors meeting or at any special Board of Directors meeting when the proposed amendment has been set out in the notice of such meeting.

President Signature

Secretary Signature

Date

Enter text✕

What a Virginia Corporation Is and When it’s Used

A Virginia Corporation is a business entity formed under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act that creates a separate legal person distinct from its owners. It provides limited liability to shareholders, can issue stock, and may continue indefinitely unless dissolved. Corporations are used for ventures seeking outside investment, formal governance through a board of directors, or a structure that separates personal and business obligations. Formation begins by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and completing internal governance steps such as adopting bylaws and issuing shares.

Primary advantages of incorporating in Virginia

Forming a Virginia corporation creates limited liability protection, a formal governance framework, and easier access to equity financing. It supports continuity of the business, can improve credibility with banks and investors, and enables clear allocation of ownership through stock.

Primary advantages of incorporating in Virginia

Who commonly forms a Virginia corporation

Founders, investor-backed startups, and small to mid-size companies commonly select the corporate form when they plan to issue stock or seek outside capital.

  • Entrepreneurs and founders seeking venture or angel investment with formal equity structures.
  • Existing businesses scaling operations that require board governance and investor reporting.
  • Attorneys and corporate officers who manage compliance, securities, and fiduciary duties.

Corporate formality suits entities expecting external capital, complex ownership, or a long-term governance structure; sole proprietors and some small businesses may prefer LLCs for less formality.

Core parts of a professional Virginia Corporation record

A compliant corporate record package combines public filings with internal governance documents to establish authority, ownership, and administrative processes.

Articles of Incorporation

Public filing with the State Corporation Commission that names the corporation, registered agent, authorized shares, and incorporator(s); creates the entity when accepted.

Corporate Bylaws

Internal rules that govern director meetings, officer roles, voting procedures, and corporate formalities; must be adopted by the board after incorporation.

Registered Agent

Designated person or service with a Virginia street address that accepts legal process and official mail on behalf of the corporation.

Stock Ledger

Record of issued shares, shareholder names and addresses, and transfers; essential to prove ownership and corporate authority.

Board Resolutions

Formal minutes or written resolutions authorizing actions such as opening bank accounts, approving contracts, or issuing shares.

Annual Reports

Periodic filings required by the Virginia State Corporation Commission to maintain good standing and update contact or officer information.

Step-by-step: forming a Virginia corporation

Follow these core actions in order to form a compliant Virginia corporation and establish internal governance.

  • 01
    Reserve and confirm name: Check availability and trademark conflicts before finalizing name.
  • 02
    Appoint registered agent: Choose a Virginia agent with a physical address for service of process.
  • 03
    File Articles with SCC: Prepare and e-file Articles of Incorporation and pay required fees.
  • 04
    Adopt bylaws and issue shares: Hold initial board meeting to adopt bylaws and record stock issuance.

Online filing and initial post-filing actions

Typical online flow for incorporation and immediate next steps after SCC acceptance.

  • Prepare documents: Draft Articles, bylaws, and initial resolutions before uploading.
  • Submit to SCC: File Articles through the SCC online portal and complete payment.
  • Receive filing confirmation: SCC issues an acceptance record and entity identification number.
  • Follow-up registrations: Obtain EIN, register for state taxes, and open corporate bank accounts.

Typical e-filing and internal workflow settings

Set up an efficient digital workflow to reduce errors and speed acceptance of corporate filings.

Field Configuration
E-file method Use SCC online portal or authorized third-party e-filing service
Document naming Use consistent schema: EntityName_DocType_Date
Signatures Enable electronic signatures that meet ESIGN/UETA validity tests
Record retention Store originals and signed PDFs in a secure, access-controlled repository

Technical considerations for e-signing and integrations

Choose a platform that supports the file formats and integrations your team uses and complies with legal signature frameworks.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX support is standard for Articles and bylaws
  • Integrations: Connectors with NetSuite, Salesforce, and Google Workspace streamline records and approvals
  • Security: TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest protect confidential formation records

Ensure the selected provider can produce an audit trail, store signed records, and, where necessary, supply a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for HIPAA-covered workflows.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete filings

Late annual report: Administrative dissolution risk
Missing EIN: Banking and tax hurdles
Incorrect registered agent: Service of process failures
1099 penalties: IRC §6721 — per-form fines apply
I-9 violations: 8 CFR §274a.2 — civil penalties possible
Document gaps: Shareholder disputes and weakened enforcement

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a name without clearance can trigger rejection or a required amendment, delaying formation and increasing costs.
  • Failing to adopt bylaws or record board resolutions creates governance gaps and may complicate banking or investor onboarding.
  • Issuing shares without a stock ledger or proper resolutions risks ownership disputes and inconsistent capitalization records.
  • Neglecting annual registrations or state notices can lead to administrative dissolution and loss of good standing.

Key deadlines and recurring filing dates to track

Track formation milestones and recurring compliance deadlines to preserve corporate status and satisfy tax obligations.

File Articles:

File at any time; entity exists when SCC accepts Articles

Obtain EIN:

Apply to IRS immediately after formation for tax and banking needs

Annual report:

File with Virginia SCC each year to maintain good standing

Corporate tax return:

Form 1120 generally due April 15 (subject to extensions)

Information returns:

1099-NEC and W-2 to recipients due Jan 31

Accuracy and efficiency tips for incorporation and compliance

Adopt standardized procedures for filings, recordkeeping, and signature capture to reduce errors and maintain legal protections.

Name and trademark check
Search the Virginia SCC database and USPTO records before filing to avoid costly name conflicts or rebranding later.
Designate reliable agent
Use a commercial registered agent or vetted individual to ensure timely acceptance of legal notices and maintain a consistent service address.
Preserve corporate minutes
Record minutes for initial board actions, stock issuances, and material decisions to support corporate formalities and liability protections.
Use compliant e-signatures
When using electronic signatures, confirm they meet ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA requirements to ensure enforceability.

Typical roles that sign and manage Virginia corporation documentation

Founder — CEO

Founders often complete incorporation steps, choose the registered agent, and sign initial documents. They coordinate early governance, approve bylaws, and ensure capital contributions and share issuances are documented.

Corporate Counsel — Attorney

Counsel advises on entity selection, drafts Articles and bylaws, prepares resolutions, and ensures filings and securities compliance are accurate and defensible under applicable law.

Practical examples of digital signing in corporate workflows

Real customers have used electronic workflows to complete corporate and transaction documents in regulated environments.

Tim Martin, Martin Properties

Tim Martin used digital workflows to handle property and corporate forms remotely.

  • I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.
  • He highlights that mobile signing and offline capabilities let him return fully executed documents to counterparties without in-person meetings, improving turnaround on leases and filings.

Dan Rotelli, BIS

Dan Rotelli consolidated compliance and signing processes for routine corporate approvals.

  • We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification and strict focus on ESIGN and UETA act compliance.
  • The result was more consistent audit trails and documented approvals across corporate and client contracts.

Comparison: signNow and other popular e-signature vendors

Basic pricing and feature availability across common e-signature providers to inform platform selection for corporate filings and internal approvals.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Corporations

Answers to common questions about formation, signatures, notarization, and ongoing compliance for Virginia corporations.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users