Veteran Owned Business Waiver

When it comes to serving veterans, active military members, and their spouses, West Virginia means business!

To encourage business growth through incentives to service members re-entering the workforce, the Boots to Business Waiver was passed by the West Virginia legislature in 2015. With potential savings of up to $250, this program waives both the initial fee to register your business as well as the fee to file your annual reports for the first four years through the Secretary of State's office. In 2021, the West Virginia legislature extended the reach of the Boots to Business waiver from service members to also include the spouses of veterans or military members.

Businesses that qualify for the Boots to Business Fee Waiver must satisfy the following definitions for a veteran-owned business:

• Private
  • Must be at least 51% unconditionally owned by a veteran, active military member, or the spouse of a veteran or active military member.
• Public
  • At least 51% of the stock is unconditionally owned by one or more veterans, active military personnel, or spouses of veterans or active military personnel.

Veteran Owned Business Waiver Requirements (West Virginia Code §59-1-2a)

You are required to provide proof of veteran or military status. For veterans or spouse of a veteran, you may submit or upload a copy of your Veteran Affairs DD214. If active military personnel, you may submit or upload a copy of your current military ID (spouses may upload a copy of their military ID).

Veterans, you may obtain a copy of your DD214 by contacting: