Virginia Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide
Ensuring Your Virginia LLC Name Is Available
A unique business name is key for branding, but it can be difficult to navigate the various rules for business names in Virginia.
This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.
Virginia LLC Name Verification
When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in Virginia, your filing could be rejected if the name you choose is already in use or does not adhere to state naming regulations.
How to Search the Virginia Business Entity Name Database
You can utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the currently registered entities in Virginia.
✎ Note:
This tool is often referred to as either the Virginia Business Name Search or the Virginia Business Entity Search. Both terms describe the same website and provide the same search results.
Visit the Virginia Business Entity Search page
Virginia State Corporation Commission: Business Entity Search
It's easy to use:
- Set the search type to "Contains".
- Enter your desired LLC name in the Entity Name field.
- Click "Search".
This database searches all business entities registered in Virginia and displays similar names.
Quick tips:
- Do not include a designator (such as "LLC") in your search.
- There’s no need to use Advanced Search settings.
Search Tips:
- Exclude terms like "LLC", "L.L.C.", "Limited Liability Company", and punctuation marks (commas, periods, apostrophes) from your search.
- You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters in your search.
Why choose "Contains"? Using "Starts With" might cause you to miss names that include additional filler words. For example, searching for "Mountain View" with "Starts With" could overlook an existing business named The Mountain View Inc. You won’t be able to use "Mountain View LLC" if The Mountain View Inc. is already registered.
Name Availability Check
We recommend using this tool alongside the Business Entity Search to ensure your Virginia LLC name is unique.
Enter your desired LLC name, including the designator (e.g., "LLC"), in the box.
- Click "Name Check".
The tool will indicate whether the name is distinguishable. Note that it does not display similar names already in use.
★ Tip:
To ensure thoroughness, start with a search for the main part of your desired name. For instance, if you want "Sunset Ventures LLC", first search for "Sunset Ventures" and then "Sunset" to cover all possible variations.
How to Understand Virginia LLC Search Results
If your search results show names that do not match yours exactly, your LLC name is likely available.
For example, if "Sunset Ventures LLC" yields results like "Sunset Management" and "Sunset LLC", your name should be available.
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What If My Desired Name Is Not Available?
If the name you want is already in use, you will need to choose an alternative name or modify your desired name.
Virginia Secretary of State Contact Information
You can contact the Virginia State Corporation Commission to check if your LLC name is available.
While this service might not be available in every state, Virginia representatives can guide you through the process of using the Virginia Business Name Search to see if your name is free. They can not guarantee that your name will be approved, but they can provide useful information.
Call the LLC Department at 804-371-9733, Monday through Friday, between 8:15 am to 5 pm Eastern Time.
Virginia LLC Name Requirements
As per Section 13.1-1012 of the Virginia LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a Virginia business entity.
Comma Usage
You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:
- Cedar Ridge Landscaping LLC
- Cedar Ridge Landscaping, LLC
Permissible Designators
Your LLC name must end with one of the following designators:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- LC
- L.C.
- Limited Company
- Limited Liability Company
✎ Note:
The term "LLC" is the most commonly used.
Restricted Designators
Your LLC name cannot include terms that imply it is another type of business entity, such as:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
Restricted Words in Virginia LLC Names
Your Virginia LLC name cannot include words or abbreviations that are legally restricted.
For instance, you cannot name your LLC in a way that suggests it is a bank, a government agency, or any other entity that might mislead the public.
Additionally, you cannot use terms reserved for licensed professionals. These terms can differ by state but often include accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.
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Ensuring Your Virginia Business Name Is Distinguishable
To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Virginia State Corporation Commission Business Entity Search.
If your name is not unique, you will need to come up with a different or modified name.
Rules for Distinguishability
Designators
Merely changing the designator (the suffix of the name) does not make a name unique. For example, if "Blue Ridge Outfitters LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Virginia Business Name Search:
- Blue Ridge Outfitters, Inc.
- Blue Ridge Outfitters, Corp.
- Blue Ridge Outfitters, L.C.
Filler Words
Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Sunset Valley Orchards LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- The Sunset Valley Orchards LLC
- A Sunset Valley Orchard Inc.
- Of Sunset Valley Orchards L.L.C.
- Sunset Valley & Orchards Corp
Punctuation, Symbols, Spaces
Adding or removing punctuation, symbols, and spaces doesn’t create distinguishability.
In Virginia, the following symbols and punctuation are allowed in your business name, but they will be ignored when determining whether the name is distinguishable:
- Period (.)
- Comma (,)
- Colon (:)
- Semi-colon (;)
- Apostrophe (’)
- Round parentheses ( )
- Dash (–)
- Minus sign (–)
- Plus sign (+)
- Equals sign (=)
- Question mark (?)
- Exclamation point (!)
- At symbol (@)
- Number symbol (#)
- Dollar sign ($)
- Percent symbol (%)
- Ampersand (&)
- Asterisk (*)
If your desired LLC name is "Riverstone Creations LLC", it's not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Riverstone-Creations Inc.
- RiverstoneCreations, L.C.
- “Riverstone” Creations LLC
- Riverstone+Creations L.L.C
What If My Business Name Is Rejected?
If you submit your Virginia Articles of Organization and your chosen business name is not available, do not worry.
The state will inform you of the rejection and provide reasons. You will then need to resubmit with a new or adjusted name.
Do I need a name reservation in Virginia?
No, a name reservation isn't required to form an LLC in Virginia. It's an unnecessary step and a waste of money.
You can file your LLC's Articles of Organization directly with your desired LLC name.
Does Virginia require an LLC in the name?
Yes, your Virginia LLC name must include one of the following designators at the end:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
Does my Virginia LLC need a DBA?
No, you're not required to file a DBA ("Doing Business As") for your Virginia LLC.
A DBA, known as a Fictitious Name or Assumed Name in Virginia, allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name (the name on your Articles of Organization).
If you want to use a different name, you must file a Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name – Entity online or by mail, with an additional fee of $10 to the State Corporation Commission. You can find more details in the State Corporation Commission Fictitious Names Guide.
There is no limit to the number of Assumed Names an LLC can have, but each must be distinguishable from existing names in the state.
When would my LLC use a DBA?
If you form an LLC named Shenandoah Forest Walk Tours LLC but want to use a catchier name like Shenandoah Tours, you would need to file a Certificate of Fictitious Name for Shenandoah Tours.
If you don’t file for a DBA, you can only use the legal name Shenandoah Forest Walk Tours LLC. Similarly, if you want to operate under the name Shenandoah Forest Walk Tours without the "LLC," you’ll need to file for a Fictitious Name for that name.
How do I get a business domain name?
Before forming your LLC, check if your desired domain name is available.
You can search for available domain names through GoDaddy:
What does "distinguishability" mean?
"Distinguishability" means that each business name must be unique and not identical to any other business name on the State Corporation Commission’s records.
For example, if you want to form an LLC named Chesapeake Landscapers LLC but there's already a business named Chesapeake Landscapers, Inc., your name cannot be used because it is not distinguishable.
How do I come up with a business name?
Choosing a strong business name is essential. Here's a process to help you:
- Write down the features and values of your company.
- List as many potential names as you can without evaluating them.
- Review the list, noting any variations or new ideas.
- Set the list aside, then return later to refine your options.
- Read the names aloud and get feedback from others.
- Repeat the process to further refine your choices.
- If needed, use a decision-making trick like choosing after counting to 10 to finalize your choice.
Can I use the name of another Virginia entity?
No, you cannot use a name that is already in use by another Virginia business, regardless of entity type.
Even if an entity is listed as “delinquent,” you cannot use its name. However, if a business is dissolved or in statuses like Inactive or Expired, its name may become available for use.
How do I change my LLC name?
You can change your LLC's name by filing an Amendment form with the State Corporation Commission. Detailed instructions on how to change an LLC name in Virginia are available from the Commission.
How to start an LLC in Virginia?
To start an LLC in Virginia, follow these steps:
- Choose an LLC name and ensure its availability.
- Select a Virginia Registered Agent.
- File the Virginia LLC Articles of Organization.
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement.
- Obtain a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Open an LLC bank account.
- Check if you need a business or sales tax license in Virginia.