You may be wondering how to file a DBA in Virginia- and looking for the easiest way. You’ve come to the right place. This guide will take away any unnecessary steps and get started quickly. So read on for all of your answers about filing a DBA in Virginia…
Important! Please keep in mind that DBA is not a business structure, so it won’t protect you from liabilities, lawsuits, or any other unforeseen situations. DBA stands for Doing Business As. – often precedes the name under which a business operates, which is not the legal name of the business.
Therefore, before starting, make sure you understand the difference between informal business structures such as sole proprietorship and formal ones like corporations and LLCs.
To register or renew the trademark, trade name, or service mark for your company in Virginia you need to file the application to the Secretary of State. Here is what you need to do:
Virginia Business Entity Search
Your company’s trade name should be unique and have not been acquired by any other entity in Virginia. Moreover, this name must also meet the business name requirements of Virginia.
First, you have to search theVirginia State Corporation Commission’s website for the DBA, Business, & Fictitious names. Check the portal thoroughly to know whether the name that you wish to have for your business has already been taken by someone or not. Make sure, this name isn’t already in use.
Note: You can also find a complete guide on business name search here.
Once you are done searching, the next step is to review the naming requirements of the state of Virginia. In general, your DBA should not include:
- Any word impling that the business will opertate as a bank, insurance company, trust company, or public service company including a telephone company, railroad, utility, or water or sewer company, unless the business actually operates in these fields.
- Any word, combination of characters, abbreviation or phrase that states or implies that the business is different type of business entity other that it is registered.
- Words such as“engineer,” “land surveying,” “architecture” or or any modification or derivation of such words, unless the business is lawfully engaged in such services.
- Include the word “bank” or “trust” unless the business is engaged in the banking or trust company business, or the context of the remaining words should imply that the business will not be engaged in such business.
Register Your Virginia DBA
You can file a Virginia DBA online with the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Website through the clerk’s information system. To apply for entities such as a corporation, LLC, LLP, or general partnership download the Assumed Business Name form, and for individuals such as sole proprietorship download the DBA form for businesses conducted by individuals. You can send these forms to:
DBA Filing Mail Address:
State Corporation Commission
Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218-1197
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The following information must include in the Virginia trade name form:
- Your business name and adress
- Owners/partners of the business and addresses
- Entity type (eg; LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)
- Trade name’s description
Renew, Change or Withdraw Your Virginia DBA
Renew Your Fictitious Name With the State
The Virginia Assumed Business Name does not expire. So there is no need for the renewal of DBA in Virginia.
Change Your Fictitious Name
If you wish to make changes in your Virginia assumed business name, you need to apply for the new DBA.
Withdraw Your Fictitious Name ($20)
You can cancel your Virginia assumed business name by completing the Certificate of Release of Assumed or Fictitious Name form and sending it to:
Mail Address:
State Corporation Commission
Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218-1197
