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.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
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.
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Securing your business name is crucial. It’s the first step to take when you consider starting or expanding your business. Here, we talk about reserving a Limited Liability Company (LLC) name in West Virginia.
Reserving your desired business name gives you exclusive ownership rights for 120 days, which can be renewed once. Taking this step ensures only you are entitled to use that name when you’re prepared to make your LLC official.
You must also choose a name that’s free – one that’s not already in use by another registered business or identical most-likely available use with an existing one in West Virginia. To check name availability, go to the Secretary of State’s website, business registrations.
The Secretary of State maintains a registry of all businesses registered in West Virginia. So, when you’re officially ready to register your business, you will need to fill out an official form including your chosen name to the Secretary of State’s office with their latest fee.
For example, if you wanted your business name to be “Happy Shoes, LLC,” you could reserve it by filling in and sending Form WVLPLC-NC1, Reservation Proceedings for Use of Name – .300/Application for Reservation of LLC or PLLC Name, with a $15 fee.
This step generally only applies to LLC formations and $15 fee isn’t significant considering the legal and administrative back and froings from updated subscriber forms to the maintenance of Shareholder and member agreements tied to the LLC structure.
Since there is an excellent state-level database system in West Virginia containing all LLC registered business details, searching the application while submitting is the key element to securing your chosen business name.
Reserving your LLC name is not just about checking its availability, but a strategic move that saves your preferred business name from the pot of registered LLCs. A similar beneficial route exists to secure the business name through registering a copyright or trademark regardless of business structures irrespective for Intellectual property or Patent intent accrual thereafter.
Take note, although reserving your desired LLC name seems like a straightforward move, it would be best to speak with professional individuals versed in these affairs near you. Do your due diligence to find a professional, and consider other business structures and how it fits, how proprietary business name catches echoes among customers First, Secured: and emerging such and possibilities moving forward when establishing your operating agreement contains vestra metier.
Overall, having possessed the curiosity to research this step before moving forward, gaining mental resources and an outside opinion on beginning partners or framework, it goes long to setting the foundation for long-term business security by passing through the regulatory machinations out of inception.
F.A.Qs
A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.
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.
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.
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
