How to Perform a Virginia Business Entity Search in 5 Easy Steps

If you’re thinking of starting a business in Virginia, one of the first things you need to do is perform a Virginia business entity search to find out if the name you want to use is available and if the entity is registered with the state. This is an important step that can save you from legal issues down the road.

Step 1: Gather Information

Before you start your Virginia business entity search, make sure you have all the necessary information with you. This includes the name of the business entity you’re searching for and the type of entity you’re interested in.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission offers five types of business entities that you can choose from:

• Corporation
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Partnership
• Sole Proprietorship
• Business Trust

Step 2: Access Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Website

The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website is your go-to source when performing a Virginia business entity search. To access the website, go to https://www.scc.virginia.gov/.

Step 3: Perform Your Search

Once you’re on the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s website, look for the ‘Business Entity Search’ option in the menu on the left-hand side and click on it. You’ll be directed to a page where you can search for business entities.

Click on the ‘Name Search’ option and enter the name of the business entity you’re searching for in the box provided. You can also choose to search by the entity type or identification number.

Step 4: Narrow Down Your Search Results

If your search returns multiple results, don’t panic. You can use the ‘Filter Search Results’ option to narrow down your search. This option allows you to search by locality, status, entity type, and date range.

Step 5: Check for Availability

Once you’ve narrowed down your search results, check if the name you want to use is available. If it is, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing a reservation application and paying a fee. If the name isn’t available, you’ll need to choose another name or modify the name until you find one that is available.

Conclusion

Performing a Virginia business entity search is a crucial step when starting a business in Virginia. By following these five easy steps, you’ll be able to find out if the name you want to use is available and if the entity you’re interested in is registered with the state. This will save you from potential legal issues down the road and ensure that you start your business on the right foot.