| Do you have a name in mind for your Va LLC? During | | | | an Va LLC name |
| the Virginia LLC formation process, securing a proper | | | | The name cannot contain the following words: |
| and acceptable name is one of the most important | | | | Corporation, Incorporated, Limited Partnership or the |
| steps. If you choose an improper name, your filing will | | | | abbreviations Corp, Inc. or L.P. |
| be rejected. The name is important not only to your | | | | RULE #4: Avoid Trademark Violations |
| formation filing but for your business overall. Learn the | | | | Rules #1-3 are all enforced by the state agency that |
| rules and requirements for this important step in your | | | | creates limited liability companies in Virginia. During the |
| starting your Virginia business. | | | | Virginia LLC formation process, your filing will not be |
| There are several rules you should keep in mind when | | | | accepted and processed if any of the first 3 rules are |
| choosing a name during the Virginia LLC formation | | | | violated. |
| process. | | | | However, just because the Virginia agency accepts |
| RULE #1: The name must not be the same or similar | | | | your filing and forms your limited liability company using |
| to another name filed with Virginia | | | | your stated name does not mean that the Va LLC is |
| The Virginia Act requires that every limited liability | | | | protected from claims by third parties for trade mark |
| company registered in Virginia have a name that is | | | | or trade name infringement. |
| distinguishable on in the state records from the name | | | | Trademark issues are governed by a totally different |
| of any other Virginia LLC, corporation, business trust, | | | | set of laws. In order to avoid trademark or trade name |
| limited partnership or any entity registered to do | | | | claims related to the use of the name chosen for your |
| business in Virginia. | | | | Va business, the best practice is to order a trademark |
| In addition, there are names that others have reserved | | | | search report to determine whether it is free for |
| with the Virginia state. Those names are not available | | | | commercial use by your business in the industries and |
| unless the reservation time expires and they have not | | | | geographical areas where you plan on operating your |
| used them with an official legal entity. | | | | business. |
| RULE #2: The Va LLC name must end with a proper | | | | Choosing a name is just one of the several essential |
| LLC designation | | | | requirements to proper Virginia LLC formation. Make |
| During the LLC formation process, the articles of | | | | sure that you choose a competent attorney or a |
| organization must state the name of the Va entity | | | | reputable and experienced online formation service |
| being organized. The name must contain one of the | | | | form your Virginia limited liability company. Improper or |
| following phrases: Limited Company, Limited Liability | | | | incomplete formation will cause significant delays and |
| Company, L.C., L.L.C., LC or LLC. | | | | potentially cause you to lose the limited liability and |
| RULE #3: There are certain words that cannot be in | | | | other protections afforded by a Va LLC. |