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How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

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How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

The first step in forming an LLC or corporation in Virginia is to verify the business name is available to use. Each business entity that is registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission must use a unique name. See our step-by-step guide to learn how to quickly search available names by using the state’s Business Entity Database.

Also See: Guide to Starting a Business in Virginia

Steps To Search Corporation and LLC Names in Virginia

Step 1: Visit the Business Name Database

Go to the Virginia State Corporation Commission website

Step 2: Search for a Business Name

Enter the name you would like to use in the “Enter entity name” field.  In this example, we will look up “Sew What” and click “Check Name.”

Step 3: Review the Results

Searching this name, we get a message “Name is not distinguishable.”  To be able to register a corporation or LLC name in Virginia, the name must be distinguishable from the other names registered. If you were looking to form an LLC with this name, you wouldn’t be able to since there is already one registered.

Virginia business name search

To find more information about any of the registered business names, click on the name to see a detailed report.  In this example, we will look up “Sew What Inc.”

 

While the name “Sew What” by itself may not be available, other variants are such as “Sew What Seamstress.”  Searching for this business name brings a result that says, “Yes, this name is distinguishable on the records of the Commission at this time.”  Even if the name looks like it is available, the State Corporation Commission will do their own search to avoid confusing potential customers with a business name that sounds like someone else’s.  Typically words that sound alike but are spelled differently, and even abbreviations will make names show up as available but won’t be approved.

Virginia Business Name Availability

These are the basics of searching for a business name in Virginia.  Even when the name of the business you want looks like it is available, the State Corporation Commission will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names. 

Something to also keep in mind is that even though each Corporation and LLC name must be unique, it may not stop someone else from using that name since business names for a sole proprietorship or partnership are not registered by the Secretary of State and are not required to be unique.  To protect your business name, consider getting a trademark.

Related: Should I trademark my business name?

What information can be found on the Virginia business entity database?

The database search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:

  • Business Name
  • Entity Type – Corporation, Limited Liability Company. Etc.
  • Date of Formation / Registration – Date the entity was first filed with the State Corporation Commission.
  • Status – Active means the entity is in good standing means all reports and filing fees are up to date. Other results include “Cancelled,” “Purged,” “Fee Delinquent,” and “Terminated.” The names of these inactive results may be available to register.
  • Principal Office – This could be the business’s physical address, or it could be an address where business records are stored.
  • Registered Agent’s information – A Registered Agent is the singular point of contact for the entity should a legal, or tax notice need to be sent to the business.  This is often one of the owners, and if their home address is used, that address becomes public information.  Many people find this concerning and use a Registered Agent service like NorthWest Registered Agent, so their home address isn’t publically listed.  
  • Names of the officers and their title

How to Register a Virginia Fictitious Business Name for sole proprietorships and partnerships

The Virginia Corporation Commission Business Entity Database provides information on corporations and LLCs registered in Virginia.  The names of sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not centralized. Instead, they are registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Clerk’s office in the county where the business is located. 

To register, a sole proprietorship or partnership operating their business under a name that is different from the owner’s legal name will register for a Fictitious Business Name, which is also known as “Doing Business As,” DBA, Assumed Name or Trade Name.

Related: How to register a Fictitious Business Name in Virginia

How do I form an LLC in Virginia?

Before starting your business and forming an LLC, be sure to do the business entity search first to make sure the name is available to use.  Once you know the LLC name is available, learn how to form a Virginia LLC by reading our step-by-step guide on filing the Articles of Organization.

While not required in Virginia, an Operating Agreement, which contains the rules for how the LLC operates, is a document worth considering, especially for multi-member LLCs.

After forming a Limited Liability Company, be sure to register for Virginia business licenses and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to ensure the business is legal to operate.

What are the requirements to name an LLC in Virginia?

In addition to the name being unique, the name of the LLC must include a special designator such as Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., etc., in addition to not using restricted words such as bank or insurance, unless the entity is licensed to operate as such.

Can an LLC name be reserved in Virginia?

If there is a name you want but are not ready to register the LLC, you can file the Reservation of a Business Entity Name (Form SCC631) with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. The name reservation will hold a name for up to 120 days, at the cost of $10.

How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

How To Do A Virginia Business Name Search

Greg Bouhl

Greg Bouhl

Welcome! My name is Greg Bouhl, and I am a serial entrepreneur, educator, business advisor, and investor.

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