Your Guide to Virginia Charitable Solicitation Registration

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Fundraising Compliance Guide
IntroductionCharity Registration NumberOnline FundraisingUnified Registration Statement (URS)Charitable DisclosuresCharitable Registration Audit RequirementsFundraising With ProfessionalsProfessional Fundraiser DisclosuresCommercial Co-Ventures and Cause Marketing Charitable Registered Agent Closing Licenses vs. Letting Them Lapse
Fundraising Compliance Info by State

Complying with Virginia's charitable solicitation requirements is essential for any organization planning to fundraise in the state. The Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP) oversees the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law (VSOC), which requires charitable organizations to file an initial registration.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps and requirements for completing your Virginia charitable solicitation registration. We’ll also introduce Harbor Compliance, a reliable nationwide service provider that simplifies nonprofit registration, helping you manage your entire charitable registration filings and maintain compliance with the state.

Charitable Solicitation Registration in Virginia

The VSOC defines a charitable organization as any entity that is organized or operated for charitable purposes or that solicits public contributions. Some of the most common methods of soliciting such contributions include:

  • Written or oral requests
  • Announcements via the press
  • Distribution of handbills, advertisements, or publications
  • Sales or offers of items (advertisements, subscriptions, tickets, etc.)

However, the following organizations are exempt from registration under the VSOC and do not qualify as “charitable” under the state law:

  • Churches and church associations primarily focused on non-secular purposes, provided that no income benefits individuals. Religious organizations with annual gross receipts under a certain threshold (e.g., $25,000) may also be exempt from some reporting requirements, but they are still bound by other regulations.
  • Political parties or committees that are required to report contributions and expenditures to the Virginia State Board of Elections.
  • Authorized individuals soliciting solely on behalf of a registered or exempt charity or an excluded organization.

Virginia Charitable Registration Exemption Request

Before beginning the initial registration process, organizations must check whether they qualify for an exemption. This involves reviewing whether their charitable activities fall into any of the categories listed in the exemption application (Form 100).

Some of the common exemption categories include:

  • Solicitations not exceeding $5,000 (note that certain conditions may apply)
  • Educational institutions and their foundations recognized by the state
  • Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
  • Virginia Area Health Education Centers
  • Solicitations by non-resident charitable organizations that meet specific criteria

Once you’ve verified your eligibility for an exemption, complete the application by providing details about your organization and the exemption request. Once you’re done, sign the application and attach the following documents:

  • A remittance form and a $10 fee
  • A list of current officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff, including their names and addresses
  • One of the following documents:
    • A signed copy of the previous fiscal year’s Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF. If the form was e-filed, attach the IRS e-filing receipt instead of a signature
    • Audited financial statements
    • If your gross revenue qualifies for Form 990-N, submit a balance sheet and an income and expense statement verified under oath by the treasurer instead of Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF. Form 990-N itself is not acceptable
    • A signed, board-approved budget of anticipated revenues and expenses for the current year (if you’re a newly formed organization)
  • A copy of the certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, and amendments if the organization is incorporated
  • A copy of bylaws and amendments
  • A copy of the IRS Determination letter and any subsequent modifications if the organization is listed with the IRS as tex-exempt. If tax exemption is pending, attach a copy of the completed IRS application form, as filed with the IRS.

Note that additional documentation is required for specific categories of exemption. Check out the Virginia Law Administrative Code (2VAC5-610-40) for the full list of the documents you must submit in addition to those listed above.

How To Complete the Initial Virginia Charity Registration Process

If your charitable organization is required to register, you must file Form 102 - Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization on a form prescribed by the commissioner or a Unified Registration Statement (URS) if you’re registering in multiple states.

The steps to file initial registrations are as follows:

  1. Complete the initial registration statement (Form 102) and have two authorized officers—the CFO and the president—sign the statement.
  2. Pay the $100 initial registration fee (payable to the Treasurer of Virginia), as specified in the Code of Virginia.
  3. Submit one of the following based on your organization’s status:
    1. IRS Form 990, 990-PF, or 990-EZ with required schedules (excluding Schedule B). If electronically filed, include the IRS e-file signature authorization.
    2. Certified audited financial statements for the previous fiscal year.
    3. Certified treasurer’s report—for organizations qualifying for Form 990-N.
    4. Budget for the current fiscal year—for newly formed organizations with no financial history.
  4. Provide a list of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff, including their names, titles, and addresses.
  5. Include signed copies of contracts with any professional fundraising counsel or solicitors.
  6. Submit the certificate and articles of incorporation, any amendments, and the organization’s bylaws.
  7. Provide the IRS determination letter confirming tax-exempt status or a copy of the IRS application if exempt status is pending.
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Virginia Charitable Registration Renewal

Every nonprofit organization registered in Virginia must file an annual registration renewal on a form prescribed by the commissioner or the Unified Registration Statement. The renewal is due on or before the 15th day of the fifth calendar month following the end of the organization's fiscal year.

Make sure to attach the following documents while filing for renewal:

  • Your financial report, including:
    • Signed IRS Form 990, 990-PF, or 990-EZ (excluding Schedule B) with all required schedules and attachments or the IRS e-file signature authorization if filed electronically.
    • Certified audited financial statements.
    • A certified treasurer's report if eligible to file IRS Form 990-N.
  • List of current officers, directors, trustees, and principal executive staff, including names, addresses, and titles.
  • Signed copies of all current contracts with professional fundraising counsel or solicitors
  • Certificate and articles of incorporation or amendments not previously submitted, along with a copy of bylaws.
  • RS determination letter or updates confirming tax-exempt status, if not previously submitted.
  • The required fee based on gross contributions of the preceding year, ranging from $30–$325.

Issues Organizations Face With Self-Handled Charitable Registration

Self-managed charitable registration may often lead to challenges, delays, or even rejections if not managed properly. It’s easy to misinterpret legal requirements and make errors, such as incorrectly identifying an authorized officer to sign filings.

Additionally, preparing accurate financial reports, handling paperwork, and keeping up with the registration and renewal deadlines can strain nonprofit staff and divert attention from their core mission.

This is where a professional experienced in legal filings and well-versed in regulatory changes can simplify the process. Outsourcing your charitable solicitation registration process to a trusted service provider like Harbor Compliance minimizes application errors and reduces the likelihood of rejection.

Trust Harbor Compliance for Hassle-Free Charitable Registration

Harbor Compliance offers comprehensive services to help nonprofits navigate legal filings and maintain good standing with the state. Our Charitable Registration Service is designed to assist charitable organizations in soliciting donations through various channels, including letters, calls, emails, social media, and grant applications.

With years of experience handling tens of thousands of charitable registrations annually—more than any other service provider in the industry—we help simplify the complexities of the charitable registration process. Since our acquisition of Labyrinth, Inc., we’ve managed over 60% of charitable registrations for organizations in at least 38 states.

Our services include assigning a dedicated specialist to manage all filings, with the option to grant Power of Attorney for added convenience. We also offer tailored solutions for fundraisers, consultants, and co-ventures to streamline charitable registration.

Additionally, some of our services complementing the charitable registration service include:

How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service

Getting started with our services is simple:

  1. Visit the Fundraising Registration Solutions page.
  2. Fill out the form with details like your contact info, legal business name, and business structure.
  3. Submit the form.

Curious about the charitable registration process and compliance requirements? Download our free white papers for expert guidance on navigating charitable solicitation requirements and mastering the complexities of the charitable registration process.

Additional Harbor Compliance Services

Charitable registration is just one of the many ways we support your organization. The table below shows the full range of services we offer to simplify compliance:

Service Category Services
Nonprofit formation Incorporation 501(c) tax exemption
Licensing support General business licenses Industry-specific licenses, such as construction, engineering, and architecture
Entity lifecycle management Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports
Tax services Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Document filing and retrieval Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificate of good standing Certificate of Authority Certified copies
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Virginia Charitable Registration FAQs

Below, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about registering a charitable organization in Virginia. For more details, visit Harbor Compliance’s Information Center.

If your organization’s financial statements are not ready by the renewal date, you can request an extension via fax, mail, and email (at ocarpunit.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov). If the organization's file is current, the extension will be granted.

The registration must be submitted by the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of the fiscal year. For example, if the fiscal year ends on December 31, the renewal is due by May 15 of the following year.

Organizations should first review Form 100 to check if they qualify for an exemption. If eligible, they must complete and file Form 100; otherwise, they must file Form 102.

Harbor Compliance—Where Compliance Meets Simplicity

Self-managed charitable registration in Virginia can be complex and time-consuming. From selecting the correct forms to meeting tight deadlines, the process can drain valuable time and resources.

By opting for Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service, you can spend more time focusing on your mission and less time trying to understand the legal requirements. The combination of a team of experts, customized solutions, and efficient systems ensures a seamless experience—from your initial registration to timely renewals and securing state tax exemptions.

Are you curious about your organization’s standing? Use our free Harbor Compliance ScoreTM to assess whether it meets other key state requirements. From there, we can assist you through our various solutions. Contact us to inquire about additional services and schedule a free demo to explore our software.

If you need information about charitable solicitation registration in other states and territories throughout the U.S., browse the table below for more guides:

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Company Licenses

Virginia Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

Virginia Charitable Gaming Licenses

Game Type:

Bingo, raffles, and pull-tabs.

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Organization Age Requirement:

3 years of continuous existence in Virginia.

Age Restrictions:

Instant bingo, pull tab, and seal card game participants must be at least 18 years old.

Prize Limits:

The maximum bingo prize for a single game is $100, and bingo jackpots may not exceed $1,000. Raffle prizes must be valued at $100,000 or less.

Law:

VA Stat. § 18.2-340.15 et seq.

Initial Registration

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Form:

Bingo/Raffle Application

Agency Fee:

$200

Notes:

Organizations expecting to receive less than $40,000 in bingo or raffle gross receipts may not need a permit.

Registration Renewal

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Form:

Bingo/Raffle Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Annually by the date of issuance.

Virginia Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Not required



Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Virginia.

No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Organizations described by section 501(c)(3) or section 170(c) of the internal revenue code are exempt from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities as long as they meet the qualifying conditions.

Law:

VA Code § 38.2-106.1 and VA Code § 38.2-3113.2

Virginia Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Law:

Virginia Code Annotated §57-48 thorugh 57-61.1; Virginia Administrative Code, Title 2, §5-610-10 through 5-610-40. Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Yes

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Churches and associations of churches
  • Political parties or political campaign committees

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Educational institutions that are accredited by the Board of Education, by a regional accrediting association or by an organization affiliated with the National Commission on Accrediting, the Association Montessori Internationale, the American Montessori Society, the Virginia Independent Schools Association, or the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, any foundation having an established identity with any of the aforementioned educational institutions, and any other educational institution confining its solicitation of contributions to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families
  • Persons requesting contributions for the relief of any individual specified by name at the time of the solicitation when all of the contributions collected without any deductions whatsoever are turned over to the named beneficiary for his use
  • Charitable organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive, during a calendar year, and have not actually raised or received, during any of the three next preceding calendar years, contributions from the public in excess of $5,000, if all of their functions, including fund-raising activities, are carried on by persons who are unpaid for their services and if no part of their assets or income inures to the benefit of or is paid to any officer or member
  • Organizations that solicit only within the membership of the organization by the members thereof
  • Organizations that have no office within the Commonwealth, that solicit in the Commonwealth from without the Commonwealth solely by means of telephone or telegraph, direct mail or advertising in national media, and that have a chapter, branch, or affiliate within the Commonwealth that has registered with the Commissioner
  • Organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are organized wholly as Area Health Education Centers in accordance with § 32.1-122.7
  • Health care institutions defined herein as any facilities that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that are (i) licensed by the Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; (ii) designated by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as federally qualified health centers; (iii) certified by the HCFA as rural health clinics; or (iv) wholly organized for the delivery of health care services without charge; and any supporting organization that exists solely to support any such health care institutions. For the purposes of clause (iv), "delivery of health care services without charge" includes the delivery of dental, medical or other health services where a reasonable minimum fee is charged to cover administrative costs
  • Civic organizations as defined in § 57-48
  • Agencies providing or offering to provide debt management plans for consumers that are licensed pursuant to Chapter 20 (§ 6.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 6.2
  • Agencies designated by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to subdivision A 6 of § 51.5-135 as area agencies on aging
  • Labor unions, labor associations and labor organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Trade associations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are organized wholly as regional emergency medical services councils in accordance with § 32.1-111.4:2
  • Nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that solicit contributions only through (i) grant proposals submitted to for-profit corporations, (ii) grant proposals submitted to other nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (iii) grant proposals submitted to organizations determined to be private foundations under § 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Organizations whose solicitations are confined to five or fewer contiguous cities and counties
Form:

Form 100: Virginia Exemption Application for Charitable or Civic Organization

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$10

Law:

VA Code § 57-60

Notes:

Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria.

Required Attachments:
  • Listing of current officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff officers, including their names and addresses. Ensure the officers who signed the Form 100 and the financials are listed.
  • Signed copy of the previous fiscal year’s Form 990, Form 990EZ, Form 990PF (IF YOU E-FILED the Form, you may attach a copy of the IRS receipt of e-filing to the Form in lieu of a signature) or audited financial statements.
  • If the organization is incorporated, a copy of the certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation and amendments.
    • A Certificate of Good Standing is not accepted. If unincorporated, provide any other governing documents.
  • A copy of any bylaws and amendments.
  • If the organization is listed with the IRS as tax-exempt, attach a copy of the IRS Determination letter and any subsequent modifications. If tax-exemption is pending, attach a copy of the completed IRS application form, as filed with the IRS.
  • Category A: 
    • If a bona fide educational institution; a copy of the accreditation certificate of said institution.
    • If a foundation that supports an educational institution; a copy of the accreditation certificate of each institution and a letter from the head of the educational institution which states that the institution recognizes and corroborates the established identity;
    • Other educational institution; samples of the solicitation materials or an outline of the fundraising plan.
  • Category B: 
    • Copy of the trust agreement or similiar document. 
  • Category C:
    • Copy of the budget, signed and ratified by the board of directors, for the current calendar year, and copies of the treasurer's report, signed and certified, for the three previous calendar years (or years of existence)
  • Category D:
    • Copies of any membership recruitment correspondence, for the past two mailings. 
  • Category E:
    • No additional documents are required.
  • Category F:
    • Copy of each local solicitation permit and/or list of county officers spoken with if no permit is required by the county/independent city.
  • Category G: 
    • No additional documents are required.
  • Cateogry H:
    • Only one is applicable
    • Copy of the license issued by the State Department of Health or
      by the State Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
      Services;
      1. Copy of the license issued by the State Department of Health or
      by the State Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
      Services; 2. Documentation of designation by Centers for Medicare and
      Medicaid Services (CMS) as a federally qualified health center
      designation;3. Copy of CMS issued rural health clinic certificate.
      4. Copy of free clinic’s purpose as stated in governing documents.
      5. For supporting organization’s – copy of health care institution’s
      documentation as specified in above list, and a letter from the
      health care institution’s president, or head by whatever name,
      acknowledging the supporting organization exists solely to
      support the health care institution. If more than one institution is
      supported, this documentation is required for each institution.
  • Category I:
    • Copy of nonprofit debt counseling license issued by the VA State Corporation Commission
  • Category J: 
    • Copy of the agreement between the organization and the VA Dept for Aging & Rehabilitative Services which designates the organization as an area agency on aging.
  • Category K:
    • Copy of IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)6 determination. Listing of member organizations, if applicable.
  • Category L:
    • Copy of IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)5 determination.
  • Category M:
    • Copy of IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)3 determination.
    • Copy of the Consortium letter issued by the Program.
  • Category N:
    • Copy of IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)3 determination.
    • Copy of the designation letter issued by the Commissioner of Health.
  • Category O:
    •  Copy of IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)(3) determination.

Initial Registration

Form:

Form OCRP-102: Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization

Instructions:

Is Your Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization (Form 102) Complete?

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100 initial registration fee + an annual fee based on gross contributions for the preceding year:

 

  • $30 if your gross contributions do not exceed $25,000
  • $50 if your gross contributions exceed $25,000 but do not exceed $50,000
  • $100 if your gross contributions exceed $50,000 but do not exceed $100,000
  • $200 if your gross contributions exceed $100,000 but do not exceed $500,000
  • $250 if your gross contributions exceed $500,000 but do not exceed $1,000,000
  • $325 if your gross contributions exceed $1,000,000

 

Organizations with no prior financial history pay only the $100 registration fee.

Turnaround:

4-6 months

Original Ink:Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Notes:
  • File the original - copies are not allowed.
  • The CFO and President must sign.
  • Some Virginia counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Virginia.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Virginia.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
  • If you will foreign qualify in Virginia, obtain a certified copy of your articles of incorporation and all amendments from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certified copy cannot be more than 1 year old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with Virginia State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization and all required attachments to the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP).

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Virginia. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with Virginia State Corporation Commission.
  3. Submit a Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization and all required attachments to the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP).
Required Attachments:

  • Either IRS form 990 or audited financials
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • List of officers and directors
  • Either IRS determination letter or IRS form 1023
  • Professional fundraising contracts

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form OCRP-102: Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Depends on gross contributions for the preceding year:

 

  • $30 if your gross contributions do not exceed $25,000
  • $50 if your gross contributions exceed $25,000 but do not exceed $50,000
  • $100 if your gross contributions exceed $50,000 but do not exceed $100,000
  • $200 if your gross contributions exceed $100,000 but do not exceed $500,000
  • $250 if your gross contributions exceed $500,000 but do not exceed $1,000,000
  • $325 if your gross contributions exceed $1,000,000
Due:
  • Annually by the 15th day of the 5th month following the close of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then file by May 15.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by emailing your request to ocarpunit.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Original Ink:Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Penalties:

There is a late fee of $100 for registrations that have lapsed.

Notes:
  • File the original - copies are not allowed.
  • The CFO and President must sign.
  • Attach your annual financial report.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Reinstatement

Not required



Formal reinstatement is not required. Charities wishing to renew a lapsed registration should submit an initial filing with financial documents from the most recent fiscal year and payment of applicable fees (renewal + late fees). Updated copies of organizing documents, bylaws, IRS determination letter(s), etc. need only be provided if the registration has been out of compliance for more than 3 years (unless changes have been made).

Change of Fiscal Year

Form:

Form OCRP-102: Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Varies

Notes:

Indicate change of fiscal year on the form and submit the financial statement reflecting the new fiscal year.

Cancelation

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

To close out your registration, send a letter stating that the organization is ceasing their solicitation in Virginia and attach a copy of the most recently completed financial statement. If the organization is dissolving, send a certificate of dissolution and the latest financial statement.

Virginia Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Not required



Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Virginia.

Virginia does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.

"Professional fund-raising counsel" means any person who for a flat fixed fee under a written agreement plans, conducts, manages, carries on, advises, or acts as a consultant, whether directly or indirectly, in connection with soliciting contributions for, or on behalf of, any charitable or civic organization, but who actually solicits no contributions as a part of such services. A bona fide salaried officer or employee of a registered or exempt charitable organization or the bona fide salaried officer or employee of a registered parent organization shall not be deemed to be a professional fund-raising counsel.

Virginia Professional Fundraising Counsel Registration

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Yes

Initial Registration

Form:

Form 103: Professional Fundraising Counsel Registration

Agency Fee:

$100

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form 103: Professional Fundraising Counsel Registration (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by the registration anniversary date.

Notarization Required?:Required

Contract Filing

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a copy of the contract for each solicitation campaign at least 10 days prior to commencement of the contract.

"Professional solicitor" means any person who, for a financial or other consideration, solicits contributions for, or on behalf of, a charitable or civic organization, whether such solicitation is performed personally or through his agents, servants, or employees or through agents, servants, or employees who are specially employed by or for a charitable or civic organization and are engaged in the solicitation of contributions under the direction of such person or any person who, for a financial or other consideration, plans, conducts, manages, carries on, advises, or acts as a consultant to a charitable or civic organization in connection with the solicitation of contributions but does not qualify as a professional fund-raising counsel. A bona fide salaried officer or employee of a registered or exempt charitable organization or a bona fide salaried officer or employee of a registered parent organization shall not be deemed to be a professional solicitor.

Virginia Professional Solicitor Registration

Agency:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP)
Bond Requirements:

$20,000

Initial Registration

Form:

Form 104: Professional Solicitor Registration

Agency Fee:

$500

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Before you Apply:
  • Name and address of designated agent for receipt of process (e.g., registered agent or other officer) within the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Provide information about whether any of the members, partners, officers, directors or executive personnel of the professional solicitor filing this registration also members, partners, officers, directors or executives of, or otherwise associated with, any civic or charitable organization with which this professional solicitor has contracts? 
  • Pursuant to §57-61.F of the Code of Virginia, report whether the professional solicitor filing this registration maintained, during each solicitation campaign and for not less than 3 years afterward (or for the length of time since formation if less than 3 years), the following records
Required Attachments:
  • Please attach a list of officers and directors if the organization is a corporation or the names of the partners or principal owner and executive personnel if it is a partnership or sole proprietorship.
  • Attach a list with the full names and home addresses of all individuals employed by the organization to supervise the solicitation of contributions occurring in Virginia

Registration Renewal

Form:

Professional Solicitor Registration (renewal)

Agency Fee:

$500

Due:

Annually by the registration anniversary date.

Contract Filing

Form:

Form 120: Solicitation Notice and Form 121: Consent to Solicit

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a solicitation notice for each solicitation campaign at least 10 days prior to commencement of the contract.

Financial Reporting

Form:

Form 130: Final Accounting Report

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and within 90 days after the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year.

Individual Licenses

Virginia Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

Virginia Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

Not required



Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Virginia.

Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Virginia.

There’s a Better Way to Stay Compliant Stop spending precious time managing state-by-state fundraising requirements. Take advantage of our full-service compliance solutions and get back to focusing on what’s most important: fulfilling your organization’s mission. Reduce Your Workload

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Related Resources
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Charitable Solicitation Compliance
An explanation of increasingly complex state charity requirements.

Revised February 10, 2025. Complete data last reviewed August 16, 2021.
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