Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Updated on February 3, 2023
How to Conduct a Business Entity Search in Virginia
In Virginia, it’s a simple process — just follow the steps outlined below.
Follow Virginia LLC Naming Guidelines
Like all states, Virginia has a set of restrictions when it comes to business names. You need to follow these or your preferred name could be rejected by the state.
In Virginia, it’s important that your name includes the phrase “limited liability company,” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.), and your name cannot include words that could confuse your Virginia LLC with any government agency. Your name also cannot include words like “bank”, “insurance”, or “university” without approval from state authorities.
Additionally, your name must be distinguishable from all other business names in the state, and cannot imply that you are a corporation or partnership. Your name can also not contain the words “United States”, “national”, “federal”, or “reserve” if you are operating certain types of businesses.
Next, enter your preferred name in the search box and click the Name Check button. Do this with similar names as well to see if businesses exist with similar names. If you find the name during your search, you’ll need to go back to the drawing board and choose a different name.
Check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. Once you’ve finished your name checking process, you can register the domain name by choosing an ICANN-accredited registrar such as GoDaddy.
The fee for maintaining your domain name usually ranges from $10 to $20 per year. When you purchase the name, you generally must pay for the first year up front.
Reserve or Register Your LLC Name
Now that you know your preferred business name is available in Virginia, not nationally trademarked, and has an available web domain, it’s a good idea to take the next step and make it official.
In Virginia, you have two options. You can either reserve the name here, which means the state will hold it for you for 120 days, or you can go ahead and formally register your LLC name here.
The first option gives you more time to be absolutely sure you want to create a new business, while registering right away lets you start your entrepreneurial journey more quickly. The choice is yours.
You should also consider trademarking your LLC name with the US Patent Office so it’s protected throughout the country.
Virginia State Corporate Commission Contact Info
Mailing Address: Virginia State Corporation Commission Specific Division or Staff Member P.O. Box 1197 Richmond, Virginia 23218
Physical Address: State Corporation Commission 1300 E. Main St. Richmond, Virginia 23219
Contact Center Phone: 804-371-9733 or 1-866-722-2551 Email: [email protected].virginia.gov
Conclusion
Your business name is your business identity, so before you officially register your LLC it’s absolutely crucial to confirm that your preferred name is available. This will ensure you avoid any business naming potholes and set your LLC up for smooth sailing.
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