West VirginiaWest Virginia charges $15 for certified-mail service of defendants
Since June 10, 2026, people who use the Secretary of State to serve a U.S. defendant by certified mail pay a $15 shipping and handling fee.
What it does
People who ask West Virginia’s Secretary of State to serve a defendant in the United States by certified mail pay a $15 shipping and handling fee.
Argument forThe fee may help fund the Secretary of State’s office, though lawmakers must approve spending from the account.
Argument againstPeople who request certified-mail service within the United States may have to pay a $15 shipping and handling fee.
More detail
The law lists a $15 shipping and handling fee for certified-mail service within the United States. The fee applies when the Secretary of State serves a defendant within the United States by certified mail. The fee goes into a special account for operating the Secretary of State’s office. Spending from that account requires legislative approval. The law took effect 90 days after passage, on June 10, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 148, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 18To Governor 3/18/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 13House Message received
- Mar 12Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12Communicated to Senate
- Mar 12Passed House (Roll No. 469)Passed House
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Do pass
- Mar 3To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Mar 3To Government OrganizationMinor
- Mar 3Introduced in HouseMinor
- Mar 3House received Senate message
- Mar 2Ordered to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Passed Senate (Roll No. 277)Passed Senate
- Mar 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 2On 3rd reading
- Feb 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 27On 2nd reading
- Feb 26Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 26Immediate consideration
- Feb 26Committee substitute reported
- Feb 9To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 9Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 9To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 9Filed for introductionIntroduced
Government & Ethics