How To Register A Fictitious Business Name In Virginia

Start with a virginia fictitious name or assumed name search.

How to register a fictitious business name in virginia. When a business wants to operate under a name other than their legal name the state of virginia like most states require the business to register their business name. Fictitious name certificates may be filed online through the clerk s information system cis. Choosing a business name is an important step in the business planning process. Failure to register for this certificate if you do business in virginia in a name other than your business s or your own legal name carries legal consequences. The next step is to check to see if your name is unique and also meets virginia s business name requirements.

To register a business name first check to make sure your name is unique by doing a business entity name search domain name search and a federal trademark search. In fact it is a crime that carries a fine of 2500 or a year in prison. Starting a business can be both exciting and somewhat stressful with the many legal requirements you must fulfill including choosing and registering your business name. For more information see business entity names faqs or contact the clerk s office at 804 371 9733 or toll free virginia 1 866 722 2551 or by email at sccefile scc virginia gov. Afterward depending on your business s needs you may reserve a name form an llc or corporation with it file a dba or submit an amendment to the legal name of your business.

To reserve a distinguishable business entity name see how can a business entity name be reserved for future use. When you register your virginia fictitious name or assumed name you are essentially letting other business owners know that the name is in use. Corporations llcs and limited partnerships must file a copy of their fictitious name registration with the state corporation commission instead of filing a separate registration. Once your company has filed for a dba you can enter contracts open bank accounts and operate under the assumed. Effective january 1 2020.

Assumed fictitious name filings other than releases are handled at the state level through the commonwealth of virginia s state corporation commission scc forms are accessible on the scc website. Business names previously registered through the chesterfield circuit court clerk. A dba also known as doing business as trade name assumed name or fictitious name is a name used by a business that is different from the legal name of the business. As of january 1 2020 the clerk s office of the state corporation commission is the central filing office in virginia for all certificates of assumed or fictitious name. All companies doing business in the city of virginia beach need to register with the city and possibly the state and or federal government.

Fortunately registering a business name in virginia is a straightforward process that must be completed before you actually use your business name.