Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register an assumed name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Virginia Name Check Availability Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Virginia Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Virginia.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Virginia LLC Name Is Available
Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in Virginia.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements.
Some key guidelines for Virginia LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Virginia reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Virginia also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name can’t contain any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the LLC is a corporation or a limited partnership.
- Your name can’t include the words “bank” or “trust” unless the LLC will be engaged in the banking or trust company business or it’s clear from the context of the remaining words that it won’t conduct such business.
- Your name can’t include the words “engineer,” “architecture,” or “land surveying,” or any variation of those words unless the LLC will be lawfully engaged in those services or it’s clear from the context of the remaining words that it won’t conduct such business.
- The words “United States,” “national,” “Federal,” and “reserve” may not be included in the name of a business entity that’s engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings, or trust business.
For more information, check out Virginia’s State Corporation Commission website.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Virginia, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Virginia:
- Business entity type identifiers
- Articles, conjunctions, and prepositions
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Complete a State Name Search
The first name search you must complete is at the state level. This is to verify that no existing Virginia-based business already uses your chosen business name. You can check your business name availability by searching the Virginia Name Check Availability Search online database.
3. Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name, you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
4. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in Virginia for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
You can file a name reservation online or by mail with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The filing fee is $10.
You also can extend your name reservation for an additional 120 days, if needed.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
A trademark search is crucial for protecting your brand identity. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s online database to ensure your chosen business name or logo isn’t already trademarked. Remember, state-level LLC name availability doesn’t guarantee federal trademark clearance. Need expert guidance? Check out our review of the top trademark services for emerging businesses.
6. Form Your Virginia LLC
The final step, after completing your name searches, is to register your business with the state. Virginia entrepreneurs can form an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission.
Your Articles of Organization should include the LLC’s name, principal office address, and registered agent information.
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Start NowVirginia LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Virginia?
You can use the Virginia Name Check Availability Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered LLC name generator.
What words can’t be used in a Virginia LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Virginia LLC names can’t contain any word or abbreviation that implies the LLC is a corporation or a limited partnership. They also can’t contain the words “bank,” “trust,” “engineer,” “architecture,” or “land surveying,” or any variation of those words unless the LLC will be lawfully engaged in those services or it’s clear from the context of the remaining words that it won’t conduct such business.
Finally, no Virginia LLC name may include the words “United States,” “national,” “Federal,” and “reserve” if it’s engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings, or trust business.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name Your LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Virginia requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Virginia?
Virginia doesn’t require LLCs to renew their name.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Virginia?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or an assumed or “fictitious” name in Virginia.
In Virginia, LLC assumed or fictitious names are filed with the State Corporation Commission.
Learn more about assumed or fictitious names with our Virginia DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Virginia DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Virginia from the drop-down menu.