A DBA (Doing Business As) is also referred to as a fictitious name in Virginia. A fake name is a name that a person or company uses that does not contain the owner’s legal name. A fictional name is sometimes employed for branding purposes or to help clients remember and identify a company.
The good news is that DBA or fictitious name certificates are not necessary for business registration in Virginia. The local circuit court clerk’s office must get a certificate of assumed or fictitious name if a business decides to use a name that is different from its legal name.
A business owner must first perform a name search to confirm that the desired name is accessible for use before applying for a fictitious name certificate in Virginia. You can accomplish this online by visiting the website of the Virginia State Corporation Commission or by getting in touch with the regional circuit court clerk’s office. The business owner can file the certificate of assumed or fake name with the local circuit court clerk’s office once the name search is finished.
Obtaining a false name certificate and registering a business name are two different procedures in Virginia. A business owner must first decide on a type of legal business entity, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC), before registering a business name. The business owner can register the business name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission after selecting the kind of business entity.
Although Virginia does not require companies to get a DBA or fictitious name certificate, it is crucial for companies to make sure the name they are using is not being used by another company. Confusion among customers and legal problems can both be avoided in this way.
It’s crucial to understand the distinction between an LLC and a DBA. An LLC is a legitimate corporate entity that offers liability protection for its owners, but a DBA is only a fictional name that a company uses for branding purposes. Unlike DBAs, LLCs must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and submit yearly reports.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that Virginia does not mandate that companies obtain a DBA or fictitious name certificate, it is nevertheless crucial for companies to make sure that the name they are using is not already in use by another company. Businesses must also register their legal company type with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, such as an LLC.
You must register your business name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) and get any necessary licenses or permits for your particular industry in order to operate as a sole proprietorship in Virginia. You have the option of conducting business either under your own name or a trading name, sometimes referred to as a DBA (Doing Business As). However, unless you intend to conduct business under a name different than your legal name, obtaining a DBA is not necessary in Virginia.