A fake name or assumed name is a Virginia DBA (doing business as). A fake name or assumed name registration in Virginia permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
Your personal assets will not be protected if you register a DBA in Virginia. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
In Virginia, you may register a fictitious or assumed name.
It is simple to register a Virginia fake name or assumed name, often known as a DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.
If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to Get a DBA in Virginia in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by doing a Virginia Fictitious Name or Assumed Name Search.
Create a Virginia DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Conduct a Fictitious Name or Assumed Name Search in Virginia.
When you register your Virginia fake name or assumed name, you are effectively informing other company owners that the name is currently in use. Your company name is not protected against others using it.
The next step is to determine if your name is distinct and fits Virginia’s company name standards. To begin, go to the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website and search for your new DBA name to ensure it is not currently in use.
Review the Virginia naming criteria next. In Virginia, false or assumed names are not permitted.
Include any term, abbreviation, or character combination that declares or suggests a distinct sort of business organisation.
Imply that it is or will be doing business as a bank, trust company, insurance company, or public service firm, such as a railroad, telephone company, utility, or water or sewer company, unless it will be doing so.
Include the terms “bank” or “trust” unless it will be in the banking or trust firm business, or unless the context of the remaining words indicates that it will not be in such business.
Include the terms “engineer,” “architecture,” or “land surveying,” or any modification or derivation of such words, unless the entity will be legitimately engaged in such services or the context of the remaining words makes it apparent that the entity will not conduct such activity.
If the business entity is in the banking, lending, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings, or trust industry, include the phrases “United States,” “national,” “Federal,” and “reserve.”
We suggest that you check to see whether your name is accessible as a web domain (URL). You may not want to launch a company website right now, but you may wish to prevent others from gaining your URL.
Step 2: Create Your Virginia DBA.
In Virginia, your DBA must be registered with the State Corporation Commission. You may file with the State Corporation Commission online or by filling out the PDF form. Depending on your company structure, you may choose one of two PDF formats.
The Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name Company Conducted by an Entity, which is utilised for corporations, LLCs, LPs, and general partnerships, will request your new DBA name as well as business details, such as:
Section 1: The name of the organisation operating under the DBA.
Section 2: The registered assumed/fictitious name
Section 3: The kind of entity
Section 4: The jurisdiction in which the organisation was established
Section 5: The SCC ID number or address of the organisation
For sole proprietorships, the Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name Company Conducted by an Individual will request your new DBA name as well as details about your business, such as:
Section 1: The name of the person who will do business under the DBA.
Section 2: The registered assumed/fictitious name
Section 3: The person registering’s address
Control Your Virginia DBA
General Concerns
The Virginia State Corporation Commission may be reached at (804) 371-9733 or 1-866-722-2551.
You must renew your Virginia DBA with the state.
Your DBA in Virginia does not need to be renewed.
Change Your DBA in Virginia
You must fill out a new registration form to make modifications to your Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name.
Remove Your Virginia DBA
To cancel your assumed or fictitious name, fill out the Certificate of Release of Assumed or Fictitious Name form. Include an updated address if your company’s current address is no longer valid. Send the filled form to the following address:
Commission of State Corporations
The Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, Virginia 23218-1197