West Virginia LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
Business Formation Expert
Steve runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is West Virginia’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting a West Virginia LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in West Virginia

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a West Virginia LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in West Virginia’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $15 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of West Virginia. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to one of the following:
    1. Charleston Office One-Stop Business Center 1615 Washington St. E. Charleston, WV 25311.
    2. Clarksburg Office North Central WV Business Center 200 W. Main St. Clarksburg, WV 26301.
    3. Martinsburg Office Eastern Panhandle Business Center 229 E. Martin St. Martinsburg, WV 25401.

Check Name Availability
Reserve Name Online
Download Reservation form

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

How to Do West Virginia LLC Online Name Search

Naming your business is a vital step. No matter in which state your business is registered, you need to select a name that is available. For this matter, the West Virginia LLC name search may prove to be of great help if your business is based in the state. You can search for the name availability through any of the below-mentioned ways:

By Organization/Agent/Officer Name

Once you land on the West Virginia Secretary of State page, you will see the search dialog box. You just need to fill in the organization name along with the agent/officer’s name and press enter or click on the search button. You will get the information about the business registered with the name provided.

Advanced Search Option

In the advanced search option, you can choose to provide more details like street, city, county, organization type, etc. This will help you in getting more refined search results.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in West Virginia

To reserve an LLC name in West Virginia you need to submit a name reservation request form to the West Virginia Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $15.

So, how do you go about reserving an LLC name in West Virginia? The process is relatively simple and can be completed online through the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website. This process allows you to reserve a name for up to 120 days, giving you time to complete the necessary steps to officially register your LLC.

When reserving a name, it’s important to choose a name that is unique and not already in use by another business in the state. This can help avoid any potential legal issues down the line and ensure that your business can operate without any obstacles. You can easily search the existing business names in West Virginia through the Secretary of State’s website to see if your desired name is available.

Once you have chosen a name that is available, you can complete the online reservation form on the Secretary of State’s website. The form will ask for basic information about your LLC, such as the name of the business and the address of the registered agent. You will also need to pay a small fee to reserve the name, which can typically be done using a credit or debit card.

After submitting the reservation form and payment, you will receive a confirmation email from the Secretary of State with a certificate of reservation attached. This certificate serves as proof that you have reserved the name for your LLC and can be used when you are ready to officially register your business.

Reserving an LLC name in West Virginia is a crucial step in the process of starting a business in the state. It not only allows you to secure a unique name for your business but also gives you the peace of mind that no one else can use that name during the reservation period. This can be especially important in today’s competitive market, where branding and name recognition can play a significant role in a business’s success.

Overall, the process of reserving an LLC name in West Virginia is relatively straightforward and can be completed quickly and easily online. By taking the time to secure a unique name for your business, you are setting yourself up for success and giving your business the best possible chance to thrive. So if you’re looking to establish an LLC in West Virginia, be sure to reserve your name today and take the first step towards building a successful business.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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