County · 9th Judicial Circuit
Start an LLC in James City County, Virginia
James City County businesses form an LLC with the State Corporation Commission for $100, not with the county. In 2024 James City County had 2,261 business establishments and 30,184 jobs, its general sales tax rate is 7 percent, and the Clerk of the 9th Circuit Court is Elizabeth O'Connor at 5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite Six, Williamsburg, VA 23188-8218. Our Starter package is $149 plus the SCC fee.
Last verified: November 10, 2026, against official Virginia sources.
Establishments (2024)
2,261
Jobs (2024)
30,184
Sales tax
7%
Circuit Court Clerk
(757) 564-2242
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
Doing business in James City County
James City County, wrapped around the independent City of Williamsburg, had 2,261 business establishments and 30,184 jobs in 2024, with about 83,000 residents. Tourism around Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, retirees starting consulting practices and hospitality businesses are all part of the mix.
James City County and the City of Williamsburg share one Circuit Court, and its clerk's office is on Monticello Avenue. Even so, licensing is separate: the county licenses county addresses and Williamsburg licenses addresses inside the city. Toano and Norge are unincorporated communities in the county.
James City County is one of three localities in the Historic Triangle, where Virginia Tax lists a 7 percent general sales tax rate, the highest in the state. Restaurants and shops here should price with that rate in mind.
Official sourceJames City County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for James City County records deeds and land records, keeps court files, and records the SCC certificate of a name change or merger for property the company owns there ($10 recording fee under § 13.1-1067). The office does not form companies.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Clerk of the Circuit Court, James City County |
| Clerk | Elizabeth O'Connor |
| Judicial circuit | 9th |
| Address | 5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite Six, Williamsburg, VA 23188-8218 |
| Phone | (757) 564-2242 |
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Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
James City County business numbers
Establishment and employment counts are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; population is the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Business establishments, 2024 annual average | 2,261 |
| Employment, 2024 annual average | 30,184 |
| Jobs per establishment | 13.3 |
| Population, July 2024 estimate | 82,797 |
| Residents per establishment | 37 |
| Rank among Virginia counties by establishments | #15 |
James City County sales tax and business license
James City County is in the Hampton Roads regional tax plus Historic Triangle tax area, which Virginia Tax lists at 7 percent. Groceries and essential personal hygiene items are taxed at 1 percent statewide.
With more than 50,000 residents, James City County's business license fee cannot exceed $50 under § 58.1-3703; any license tax on gross receipts is set locally.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales and use tax | 4.3% |
| Local option | 1% |
| Regional transportation tax | 0.7% |
| Historic Triangle tax | 1% |
| General rate in James City | 7% |
Forming the company, step by step
- Check the name against the SCC's records, ignoring endings like LLC and Inc.
- File Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission: $100 for an LLC, or $75 for a corporation with up to 25,000 authorized shares.
- Name a registered agent who qualifies under § 13.1-1015. Ours is $199 a year.
- Get an EIN from the IRS, then open a business bank account.
- Apply for the local business license with your city, county or town.
- Pay the $50 annual registration fee each year by the last day of your formation month.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the sales tax 7 percent in James City County?
The county is in the Historic Triangle with Williamsburg and York County, where an extra 1 percent applies on top of the Hampton Roads rate.
Do I record county property at a Williamsburg courthouse?
Yes. The Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court serves both, and its clerk records deeds for county property.
What does it cost to form an LLC in James City County?
$100 to the SCC plus our package: Starter $149, Pro $299 or Complete $399. Add $199 a year for a registered agent unless you choose Complete.
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Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Virginia filings for owners. We are not the Virginia State Corporation Commission and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount billed, shown separately from our service fee.