Forming a business in Virginia can be an exciting endeavor, but there are several steps you need to take to make sure you set up your company properly. One of the most important parts of forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Virginia is choosing the right name.
Before you settle on a name, you’ll want to make sure it complies with Virginia’s naming requirements. You’ll also need to verify that the name you want isn’t already taken by another business entity in the state. Conducting a thorough Virginia business entity search is the best way to confirm your desired LLC name is available.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about researching business names and choosing the perfect moniker for your Virginia LLC.
Virginia has specific rules about what you can and can’t include in an LLC name. A search helps you avoid wasted time and paperwork headaches from selecting a non-compliant name.
Every LLC registered in Virginia must have a unique name. If the name you want is already taken, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board. A search prevents the wasted effort of trying to register a duplicate name.
In short, a proper business entity search saves you time, avoids headaches, and ensures total compliance with Virginia’s naming rules. It’s an essential step for establishing your LLC.
Virginia imposes certain limits on what you can name your LLC. These naming conventions help prevent deceptive or confusing business names. When selecting your LLC name, you must follow these state guidelines:
All LLC names in Virginia must end with a designator like “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “LC.” This quickly shows it’s an LLC vs. another business type.
Don’t use words that imply your LLC is in regulated industries like banking, insurance, engineering, etc. unless properly licensed.
Your LLC’s name can’t be the same as or deceptively similar to any existing Virginia business names.
Include words relevant to your LLC’s intended services and industry.
Don’t add words like “national,” “federal,” or “United States” without proper authorization.
Don’t mix and match abbreviations in a way that causes confusion with other business types.
Consult the complete regulations before finalizing your LLC name. The State Corporation Commission website outlines all naming guidelines.
Virginia makes it easy to look up the availability of business names. Here is a simple guide to searching existing business names and verifying your desired LLC name is compliant and available:
Go to the State Corporation Commission’s free Name Availability Search portal. This database allows you to look up registered business names and submit your desired name for a quick compliance check.
In the search bar, type the complete name you want for your Virginia LLC, including the LLC designator. For example, if you want “Virginia Pets LLC,” enter the full name.
Use the drop-down menu to choose if you want to search names that are an “Exact match,” “Starts with,” or “Contains” your entered name. For the most thorough search, choose “Contains.”
Click the “Search” button. This cross-references your entered name against the SCC database.
If your name shows as “Available,” congratulations! You can move forward with registering your LLC under that name. If your name comes back as “Unavailable,” you will need to tweak your LLC name or try a completely new name. Rerun searches until you find an available name that meets state guidelines.
Follow these tips for the most effective Virginia business entity search:
Confirming your business name is available is a big step. But you’ll also want to take additional measures to protect and register your name. Here are important next steps:
You can quickly reserve your selected business name with the SCC. Name reservations last 120 days and cost $10. This prevents others from registering your name before your LLC is formed.
For stronger legal protection, look into registering your name as a state or federal trademark. This gives you exclusive use of the name and helps prevent infringement.
Buy a domain name that matches your LLC name. This makes it easier for customers to find your website and helps build your brand.
Choosing the perfect LLC name is an exciting step in starting your Virginia business. But don’t forget to thoroughly research name availability and state compliance. Use the SCC’s free business entity search portal to cross-reference your desired LLC name against their database.
A properly executed name search takes just minutes but provides invaluable peace of mind. It ensures you won’t have to redo paperwork from selecting an unavailable name. It also verifies upfront that your chosen LLC name aligns with Virginia’s regulations.
Once you land on an available name that passes state guidelines, reserve and protect it! Reserve the name with the SCC, consider trademark registration, and purchase a matching domain.
Following this process will help your Virginia LLC launch with an ideal name you can use to proudly build your brand. An ounce of prevention saves the headaches and delays of renaming your LLC later. Do your due diligence now to set your new business up for success.
For more guidance on starting your Virginia LLC, check out our in-depth guide on forming an LLC in Virginia. We break down all the steps, requirements, and fees so you can launch your business smoothly and efficiently. We’re also happy to answer any other questions you have as you establish your company!
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about researching business names in Virginia:
It verifies your desired LLC name complies with Virginia regulations and is available for registration. This prevents wasted time and costly mistakes.
Use the free Name Availability Search on the State Corporation Commission website. Enter your company name and search parameters to see if it’s available.
You can quickly reserve an approved LLC name with the SCC for $10. This reserves the name for 120 days before registering your LLC.
Yes, file a DBA application with your county clerk’s office to register your fictitious business name, which protects your assumed name.
Names must be unique, include a designator, avoid restricted words, be relevant to your business, and not be deceptive.
If your desired name is unavailable, adjust it slightly or try an entirely new name. Run searches until you find a compliant name no one else is using.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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