Business Name Search in Virginia
Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your Virginia LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. This process is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.
Our Virginia LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability in Virginia, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.
Virginia Business Entity Name Search (Summary)
To search for business name availability in the state of Virginia, follow these steps:
- Search the Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk’s business entity search database to check if your business name is available.
- Click on the “BASIC SEARCH” button under the “Business Entity Search” section on the homepage.
- Select “Name” under the “Search Type” dropdown menu.
- Enter the name you want to search for in the “Name” field.
- Select “Virginia” under the “Jurisdiction” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Search” button.
The system will search for any existing business names that are similar or identical to the name you entered. If there are no matches, the name should be available for use. If there are matches, you may need to choose a different name or make adjustments to your chosen name.
Here is the direct link to the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Business Entity Search page: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/bussrch.aspx
Note that this search only checks the availability of the name within the state of Virginia. It is also recommended to search for trademarks and domain names to ensure that the name is available for use in other contexts.
What is a Virginia Business Entity?
A Virginia business entity refers to a business that is formally registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Similar to other states, Virginia recognizes several types of business entities, each with its own advantages, limitations, and tax implications.
Here are some of the most common types:
- Sole Proprietorship: A business owned and run by one individual. The owner is personally responsible for all debts and obligations of the business.
- Partnership: A business where two or more people share ownership. Each partner contributes to all aspects of the business, including money, property, labor, or skill. In return, each partner shares in the profits and losses of the business.
- Corporation: This is a more complex type of business entity. It is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners (shareholders). Corporations offer strong protection to its owners from personal liability, but the cost to form a corporation is higher than other structures, and they require more extensive record-keeping and operational processes.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): A hybrid structure that combines the personal liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits and operational flexibility of a partnership. The owners of an LLC are called members, which may be individuals, corporations, other LLCs, and foreign entities.
- Nonprofit Organization: An organization that is centered around a cause or mission, rather than the pursuit of profit. While they can earn profits, they must be cycled back into the organization’s mission. Nonprofits can apply for tax-exempt status.
Each of these business entities has different requirements for registration in Virginia. For example, to form an LLC in Virginia, you would need to file Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and comply with other state-specific requirements.
| The Virginia.gov site maintains a database of corporations that are registered in the state of Virginia. |
Virginia LLC Name Search
The first step in registering a business in Virginia is to conduct a Virginia Business Search. To ensure that your business name is not being used by other businesses in the state, conduct a search on the Virginia Secretary of State Database.
Before you choose your business name, it is up to you to do your research and verify that there are no existing entities in Virginia.
What Business Entities Must Use Virginia Secretary of State Name Look?
If you’re about to start one of these types of companies, you will need to do a Virginia Secretary Of State Name Search.
- Limited company
- Trust your business
- Corporation
- Limited Liability Company
- Limited Liability Partnership
You can use the name availability tool to search for the type of entity you want to register and the business name to find the name that you are looking for. You could also search for the SCC ID of the company to see if the business name has been reserved.
How to conduct a Virginia Secretary of State Entity Search
- Click “search” on the Virginia Secretary Of State’s page for business information.
- You can search for the name of the corporation that you are interested in founding and add the name of your chosen name.
- To get the best results for your name search in Virginia, make sure to include as many keywords as possible.
- The following list contains the names of the companies. This list will provide basic information such as type, name, and SCC identification number. It also shows the status of each business.
- Click on the blue link below the company’s ID# name to find out if the entity has been registered with the Secretary.
- Check out the data page for entities of interest. You will find general information on the entity, such as the state in which it was incorporated, the SCC ID, and the date of incorporation. You can also find out who the registered agents are and whether share release authorization has been granted. You will also find the principal office address on this information page.
- You can view previous filings on the right sidebar of this information page and find out more about the incorporation.
- You can view all documents and annual reports that have been filed once you’ve found the corporation. If you have reserved the business name and decided to file for an organization, you can file your reports online, provided that you are the representative or owner.
Registry of LLC names
Choose your LLC name. Make sure it is distinguishable from any other business entries that you have found during your database research. You should not mention that you are a corporation when you create an LLC. You are prohibited from using the following words in your company name:
- Incorporated
- Corporation
- Corp.
- Inc.
You must ensure that your business name is easy to spell when you make a decision about it. This will allow people to find your business easily. To clearly identify your legal form, you’ll need to either add “LLC” to the name of your LLC or “L.L.C.” to it.
How to reserve your Virginia business name
You will need to first reserve your LLC name for $120 if you wish to register it. This is according to the SS 13.1-631 and SS 13.1-830 provisions of Virginia’s Code of Virginia. Reserving your name does not mean you have been incorporated. You must still apply to reserve your name, and register for insurance and taxation.
Download the application form, and then send it with a $10 filing fee to the address below:
- Clerk of the State Corporation Commission. P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218-1197
Virginia Secretary of State | Contact Information
Mailing Address
Virginia State Corporation Commission
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218
Physical Address
State Corporation Commission
1300 E. Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Email: sccefile@scc.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 371-9733
Additional Steps
1. Trademark Search
When searching for a business name, it’s important to note that availability doesn’t necessarily mean the name is free to use if it’s already a registered trademark.
To avoid potential complications down the line, it’s wise to conduct a thorough trademark search using the Trademark Electronic Search System before finalizing a business name.
2. Choose a Registered Agent
After you have chosen an LLC name that is distinctive and unique, you can now choose your LLC’s Registered Agent.
3. Check if the Domain Name is Available
To check if a domain name is available, you can follow these steps:
- Go to a domain registrar website, such as GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com.
- In the search bar on the homepage, type in the domain name you want to check.
- Click on the search button to see if the domain name is available or not.
- If the domain name is available, you will be prompted to purchase it. If it’s not available, the registrar will suggest some alternative options or you can try a different domain name.
4. Check if Social Media Name is Available
Check if a social media name is available for a new business name
5. Register Virginia Business Entity
When you complete the required documents for filing a new business entity, you then register your business and business name with the state. The state of Virginia will either approve your business name or reject it.
If you hire a good LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness or Bizee, these LLC services have business name tools available for you to do a quick search.
6. Register an Employer ID Number (EIN) With the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify businesses and other entities for tax purposes.
7. Create a Brand Logo
Creating a business logo involves several steps. There are affordable online services that can design a logo for you and assist with the process.
Define your brand: Before you start creating a logo, you need to define your brand’s personality, values, and mission. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents your brand.
8. Write a Business Plan
Writing a business plan involves a comprehensive process that covers various aspects of your business, including the industry, market research, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and more.
9. Open a Business Bank Account in Virginia
A bank account is generally required for a new Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation to separate personal finances from business finances and to establish a clear record of business transactions.
Note that the specific requirements for opening a bank account for an LLC may vary depending on the bank and state where you are located. It’s best to contact the bank you plan to use to inquire about their specific requirements.
Brian, thank you for sharing this informative article on searching for available business names in Virginia.
I found your step-by-step process and the emphasis on conducting a thorough search to be extremely valuable. Your insights on considering variations in spelling and domain name availability were particularly helpful.
As an aspiring entrepreneur, I appreciate the guidance you’ve provided. Are there any unique challenges specific to Virginia for a business name search?
Hi Victoria,
Some potential challenges specific to Virginia could include:
Naming Restrictions: Virginia, like other states, may have certain restrictions on business names, such as prohibitions on using certain words or phrases. Businesses need to ensure their chosen name complies with these regulations.
Trademark Conflicts: It’s essential to check for existing trademarks in Virginia to avoid potential legal disputes. Businesses must conduct a comprehensive search to ensure their chosen name doesn’t infringe on someone else’s trademark rights.
Availability of Domain Names: In today’s digital age, having a matching or similar domain name is crucial for online presence. Businesses may face challenges if their desired business name is not available as a domain name or if it’s already registered by someone else.
Hi Brian,
I liked this article on searching for available business names in Virginia. One key takeaway that resonated with me was the importance of checking for naming restrictions and trademarks to avoid legal issues. In my own experience, conducting comprehensive research saved me from potential conflicts down the line.
Thanks Steven
The emphasis on utilizing the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s online resources and conducting a comprehensive search aligns with my own experiences.
I appreciated the tips on maintaining uniqueness and considering future growth opportunities while selecting a business name.
Overall, a well-written and informative piece. How often do you recommend revisiting and reassessing a business name to ensure its relevance and effectiveness?
Thanks Christina. You can revisit the Virginia business name search page anytime, there is not charge.