Key Takeaways

  • A Virginia business entity search helps verify name availability and view registration details for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
  • The State Corporation Commission (SCC) provides a public search tool for entity lookups using name or SCC ID.
  • Business names must be distinguishable from existing entities and must follow naming rules specific to the entity type.
  • You can reserve a business name before registering it formally.
  • Searching for expired or inactive businesses can help avoid potential conflicts.

What Is a Virginia Business Search?

A Virginia Business Search is the first step toward registering a new business in the state of Virginia. Conduct a search using the Virginia Secretary of State Database to make sure that your desired business name is available and not being used by any other businesses within the state. It is your responsibility to take due diligence and check for existing entities in Virginia before selecting your business name.   

Which Business Entities Need to Use the Virginia Secretary of State Name Search?

You need to conduct a Virginia Secretary of State Name Search if you are about to set up one of the following types of companies:

  • Limited company
  • Business trust
  • Corporation
  • Limited Liability Company
  • Limited Liability Partnership

To find the name you would like to reserve, you need to use the name availability tool and search for the entity type you would like to register as well as the business name. Alternatively, you could search using the company's SCC ID to check if the business name is still available.

How to Conduct a Virginia Secretary of State Corporation Entity Search

  1. Visit the Virginia Secretary of State's business finding page and click "search."
  2. Add the name of the corporation you are thinking of founding, and search to see if the name or a unique variation of the name is still available.
  3. If conducting a name search, add as many keywords as possible to get the most accurate business name results in Virginia.
  4. Review the list of companies with the name of the entities. The list will give you basic information, such as type, name, SCC identification number, and the status of the business.
  5. To find out more about the results and the individual business in the list, click on the blue link under the company's  ID number or name and learn whether or not the entity is registered with the Secretary of State.
  6. Review the data page of entities of interest. The data page will provide you with general information such as the state where the business has been incorporated, the SCC ID, the date of incorporation, and the business' status. Further, you can learn who the registered agent is and whether or not share release has been authorized. The information page will tell you the principal office address, as well.
  7. Look on the right side of the information page to check previous filings and learn more about the incorporation.
  8. Once you find the corporation you were looking for, you can see previously filed documents and annual reports displayed. If you reserve the business name and decide to file for organization, you will be able to file your reports online yourself, given that you are the owner or representative.

Search by Entity Type or Status

The Virginia SCC business entity search allows users to narrow results using filters for business entity types (e.g., LLC, Corporation, LP) and business status (e.g., active, inactive, pending). This feature helps users quickly identify whether a specific business is still in operation or whether the name may be reused if the prior entity is no longer active.

Use the dropdown menus on the search page to select:

  • Entity Type: Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership, etc.
  • Entity Status: Active, Canceled, Merged, Terminated, etc.

This additional layer of filtering provides a more targeted search when you're researching specific kinds of businesses or evaluating name conflicts.

What Information Can You Find in the Search Results?

Each search result typically includes:

  • Entity Name and SCC ID Number
  • Entity Type and Status
  • Incorporation or Formation Date
  • Principal Office Address
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Filing History and Annual Reports

Clicking on an entity name or SCC ID link leads to a detailed profile. These pages include documents filed with the SCC, such as articles of incorporation, amendments, mergers, or dissolutions. This transparency makes the Virginia business entity search useful for due diligence, compliance checks, and competitive analysis.

LLC Name Registration Requirements

When you choose your LLC name, you need to make sure that it is easily “distinguishable” from other business entries you found while you conducted your research in the database. If you want to incorporate an LLC, you should not suggest in the name that your entity is a corporation. This means you are not allowed to use the following words in your business name:

  • Incorporated
  • Corporation
  • Corp.
  • Inc.

When making a decision on your business name, you will need to ensure that it is easy to spell so that people who are looking for your business can find it without trouble. When you incorporate and register an LLC, you will either have to have “LLC” or “L.L.C.” after the business name to clearly state your legal form.

Tips for Choosing a Business Name in Virginia

When selecting a name for your Virginia LLC or corporation, consider the following tips:

  • Be Unique: Ensure the name is not deceptively similar to existing business names on file.
  • Avoid Restricted Words: Terms like "Bank," "Trust," or "Insurance" may require special approval.
  • Use Legal Designators: LLCs must include “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” Corporations should include “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or “Inc.” unless filing as a special entity.
  • Check Domain Availability: If you plan to create a website, check that your business name is available as a domain.
  • Trademark Conflicts: Conduct a trademark search through the USPTO to avoid infringing on federally registered marks.

Using these naming strategies can help you avoid costly rebranding or legal disputes in the future.

How to Reserve Your Virginia Business Name

If you want to apply for registering your LLC business name, you will need to reserve it for $120 first, according to the  § 13.1-631 or § 13.1-830 provisions of the Code of Virginia. Simply reserving your name doesn't indicate incorporation. You will still need to submit an application to reserve your business name and register for taxation as well as insurance and other provisions. 

You will need to download the application form and send it along with a filing fee of $10 to the following address:

  • Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218-1197

Can You Use an Expired or Inactive Business Name?

Sometimes, you may find that your desired business name is linked to an inactive or dissolved entity. In Virginia, these names may become available again, but this depends on the circumstances of the prior business’s termination.

Key points:

  • A dissolved entity’s name may be restricted for a certain period before reuse.
  • If the name is marked as inactive but not yet available, the SCC may allow reservation after additional verification.
  • You may contact the SCC Clerk’s Office to confirm the availability of such names and request further guidance.

It's best to plan for backup name options to avoid delays in registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is the Virginia business entity search free to use?
    Yes, the SCC business search tool is publicly accessible and free to use for all users.
  2. How do I find a business in Virginia using its SCC ID?
    You can enter the SCC ID directly into the search bar on the SCC entity search page to retrieve detailed business information.
  3. Can I search for sole proprietorships in the Virginia database?
    No, sole proprietorships are not registered with the SCC and typically won't appear in the entity search results.
  4. How long does a name reservation last in Virginia?
    A reserved business name is held for 120 days and cannot be renewed. You must file your formation documents within that timeframe.
  5. What should I do if my desired business name is unavailable?
    Try altering the name slightly or choosing a new name that is distinguishable. You may also check if the current holder is willing to transfer it, but this is rare.

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