Virginia LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Virginia’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting a Virginia LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Virginia

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a Virginia LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in Virginia’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $10 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Virginia. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Corporation Commission Office of the Clerk P.O. Box 1197 Richmond, Virginia 23218-1197.

Check Name Availability
Download Reservation form

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

How to Do Virginia LLC Online Name Search

For any business, naming is an important step. When naming your business, you need to make sure that the name is appealing to customers and also its availability. For Virginia-based businesses, one can take help from the Virginia LLC name search. Following are the ways to search for any business entity name:

By Business Entity Name/Entity ID

You can search by providing the entity name in the search tab. You can also type the Entity ID, to get more refined results. After pressing enter, you will get the details of businesses registered with the details you provided in the search tab.

Advanced Search

There is an advanced search option also available. In this, you can provide more details like the registered agent name, filing number, and principal name. The advanced search option helps you in getting further filtered results.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Virginia

To reserve an LLC name in Virginia you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Virginia Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $10.

The process of reserving an LLC name in Virginia is relatively simple and can be done online through the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website. This can be done by filling out a form and paying a nominal fee. Once you have successfully reserved your name, it will be held for a period of 120 days, giving you ample time to organize your business and file the necessary paperwork to officially establish your LLC.

Reserving an LLC name is essential because it prevents other businesses from registering with the same name, which could create confusion among consumers and potentially harm your brand. Additionally, having a reserved name gives you the peace of mind that your desired business name is secure and will be available when you are ready to proceed with forming your LLC.

It is important to keep in mind that reserving an LLC name does not mean that your business is officially registered with the state. You will still need to follow through with the necessary steps to file the appropriate forms and fulfill any other requirements in order to establish your LLC legally.

When choosing a name for your LLC, it is important to consider a few key factors. You want a name that is unique, memorable, and reflects the essence of your business. It should also be easy to spell and pronounce, as well as not infringe on any trademarks or existing business names.

Before reserving your LLC name, it is advisable to conduct a thorough search to ensure that it is not already in use by another entity. This can be done by searching the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s database or conducting a broader search online to check for any existing businesses with a similar name.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Virginia is a necessary step in the process of establishing your business. By taking the time to secure your desired name, you are protecting your brand and ensuring that it is not already in use by another entity. This simple step can give you the confidence to move forward with forming your LLC and setting the foundation for your business’s success.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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