Process Serving · Corporations and LLCs
Serving Businesses and Registered Agents in Virginia
DFS serves Virginia corporations, LLCs and foreign entities through the people Virginia law names: registered agents, officers and directors, and records exactly who accepted the papers.
Reaching someone with authority to accept
Va. Code § 8.01-299 generally allows a domestic corporation to be served through any officer, director or registered agent, and an LLC through its registered agent. Handing papers to a receptionist who holds none of those roles invites a motion to quash.
A registered agent may also designate people in its office to accept service. For an LLC, § 13.1-1018 requires that designation in writing and acknowledged before a notary, with a copy attached to the return.
Entity service workflow
- Give the exact entity nameUse the legal name and the registered agent shown in the State Corporation Commission's business entity records.
- Confirm the routeCounsel chooses agent, officer or director service; DFS quotes the jurisdiction and level.
- Serve and recordThe server delivers, asks the recipient's name and role, and records the exchange.
- Report problemsA vacant registered office or absent agent is documented in detail for counsel.
How DFS handles entity service
Service on Virginia corporations and LLCs through registered agents, officers or directors, documented by name and role.
- Registered agent deliveryService at the registered office on the agent or a properly designated person there.
- Officer or director servicePersonal delivery to an officer or director when counsel chooses that route.
- Foreign entitiesService on an officer, director or registered agent of an authorized foreign corporation found in Virginia, per § 8.01-301.
- Residential registered officesWhere the registered office is a single-family home, substituted service on the agent may follow § 8.01-296(2).
- Name and role on the returnThe affidavit states who accepted and the authority they stated, backed by footage.
When the registered agent cannot be found
Virginia makes the clerk of the State Corporation Commission the entity's agent when no registered agent is maintained or the agent cannot be found at the registered office with reasonable diligence (§§ 13.1-637 and 13.1-1018).
- Service on the SCC clerk is made by filing with that office under § 12.1-19.1; counsel handles that step, and DFS's attempt record can support the diligence showing.
- DFS relies on the registered agent information you provide and reports what it observes at the address.
- Which recipient satisfies the rule for a given entity type is a legal decision for counsel.
Questions about business & registered agent
What if the registered office is closed every time?
Each attempt is logged with time, GPS stamp and footage. That record helps counsel decide whether the reasonable-diligence threshold for service through the SCC clerk has been met.
Can you serve a corporate officer at home?
Personal service on an officer is generally allowed under § 8.01-299. DFS records the officer's identity and title as stated.
Do you serve partnerships and other entities?
Yes, tell us the entity type and counsel's chosen recipient, and DFS will serve and document accordingly.
Virginia guides
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related pages
More on process serving in Virginia.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about Virginia practice, not legal advice.
Papers to serve in Virginia?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, service level and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.