How To Register My Business Name In Virginia

Choosing and registering a business name is the first step to legally operate your business.

How to register my business name in virginia. Apply for uniform commercial code ucc state corporation commission. Fortunately registering a business name in virginia is a straightforward process that must be completed before you actually use your business 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. Before registering with us most new businesses will need to get a federal employer identification number ein from the irs and some will need to register with the state corporation commission. Step 1 verify name availability a business may not register a name that is the same or similar to another business in virginia.

If your business structure is too complicated for the online system or if you are starting a non profit organization the forms must be filled out and filed manually with the state corporation. If you want your business to function using a name other than the one you chose to form the business you will need to register the new name. Register a franchise state corporation commission. I would like to search by enter information in one field below. It is illegal to operate a business with a fictitious name if it has not been registered as a dba.

Generally if you have business activity in the commonwealth of virginia you need to register your business with virginia tax. Business registrations certifications. Advanced search options. File a dba in virginia. Register your business and its name virginia offers an online registration system on this website that can accomplish this task for most users.

Swam and micro business certification department of small business and supplier diversity. 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. Also if a foreign business entity s name does not include a word or abbreviation required for a similar virginia entity e g a corporate ending such as inc the business entity will need to adopt a designated name that merely adds a required word or abbreviation to its true name i e the true name cannot be otherwise altered. You will need to file for a doing business as or dba. 1 866 722 2551 document control center for cases before the commission.

Physical address office of the clerk tyler building 1st floor 1300 e. Names can be searched on the secretary of state s website.