West Virginia LLC Name Search
You'll need to complete a West Virginia LLC name search to check name availability for your new business venture.
We’ll help you start your West Virginia LLC with a unique and legally compliant name.
Recommended: Northwest ($29 + State Fees) will register your business name when you form an LLC.
Check LLC Name Availability in West Virginia
1. Do a West Virginia Business Name Search
You can use West Virginia’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC”, and leave all other boxes blank. This will return all entities using the same or similar names. If your business name is several words, you can even search just the first two words to ensure you pull up all possible similar names.
Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available.
Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow West Virginia Naming Guidelines
When forming an LLC in West Virginia, choosing the right business name is essential. This section provides guidelines and steps to ensure your desired LLC name is available, meets the state's requirements, and stands out as a unique and distinguishable identity for your business.
By following these naming requirements and conducting a name search, you can confidently proceed with registering your LLC in West Virginia.
LLC Name Ending Requirements
When registering your LLC with the Secretary of State, you must include the appropriate corporate name ending. Ensure that your LLC's name ends with one of the following options:
- "Limited Liability Company" (LLC, L.L.C.)
- "Limited Company" (LC, L.C., Ltd. Co.)
Name Distinctiveness
To be considered available, your LLC's name must be distinguishable from any other names already registered in West Virginia. Please note that the following factors are not considered when determining name distinctiveness:
- Corporate name endings (e.g., Company, Corporation, Inc., Ltd., LLC)
- Word separators and articles (e.g., The, A, And, &, -, /)
- Singular versus plural words (e.g., Food vs. Foods)
- Use of apostrophes (e.g., Farmer's vs. Farmers)
- Separated versus combined words with the same name (e.g., Cut Above vs. CutAbove)
By following these naming requirements and conducting a thorough name search, you can select an available and compliant name for your West Virginia LLC. Remember, a unique and distinctive LLC name will help establish your business identity and ensure legal compliance.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
West Virginia Application for Name Reservation
File by Mail With the West Virginia Secretary of State
Download FormFee: $15
Mail to:
One-Stop Business Center
1615 Washington Street
East Charleston, West Virginia 25311
Registering Your West Virginia Business Name
Whether you're prepared to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, we're here to guide you through the process.
Register Your West Virginia LLC Name
Registering your LLC name in West Virginia is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the West Virginia Articles of Organization. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The West Virginia Secretary of State's website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Keep in mind: Utilizing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and the establishment of your LLC. To learn more, refer to our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your West Virginia Business Entity Name
West Virginia’s Secretary of State Business Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days. To reserve a business name, you must file an application by mail. When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Cheques must be made out to the “West Virginia Secretary of State.”
There are three business service centers you can mail your form to Charleston, Clarksburg, and Martinsburg. We have included the details for Charleston below.
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services.
Find out which is best for you.
Other Considerations
While reserving the name for your LLC is straightforward, there are some other things you should think about when choosing the best name for your business. You may want to do a Trademark and Social Media search for your name to see if it's available for use across the internet. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.
Trademark Search
Conducting a trademark search of your business name and associated slogans or logos before registering can help prevent costly litigation in the future. Discovering that another entity has trademarked your business name does not automatically disqualify you from using it.
However, it is important to know who is using the name, what industry they operate in, and where they are located to be sure you do not inadvertently infringe upon anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To complete this step:
- Search West Virginia’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state.
- Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s electronic records to find any federally registered trademarks associated with your business name.
Social Media Search
Just as important, or more so, than finding a domain name that fits your business is ensuring that your business name is available for use across social media platforms. You can do this by simply searching your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
Having a name for your business is an important first step for creating a successful LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name using West Virginia's Business Entity Search, you'll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online. Reserving your name with an Application for Name Reservation will help you stand out from the competition. With your name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.
FAQs
To perform an LLC name availability search in West Virginia, you can visit the West Virginia Secretary of State's online business entity search portal. Use their search tool to enter your desired LLC name and review the results to ensure its availability.
Yes, there are naming restrictions for LLCs in West Virginia. The LLC name must be distinguishable from other registered entities and should include the words "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." Additionally, it should avoid using words that could mislead the public or imply a purpose it does not serve.
Yes, you can use a trade name or DBA (doing business as) name for your West Virginia LLC. If you choose to operate your LLC under a name different from the legal name, you must register the trade name with the West Virginia Secretary of State by filing a Trade Name Registration form.
If you want to change the name of your West Virginia LLC after it is formed, you will need to file Articles of Amendment with the West Virginia Secretary of State. The amendment should include the new LLC name and any other required information. Once approved, your LLC will operate under the new name.
If your desired LLC name is already taken in West Virginia, you will need to choose a different name that is unique and available. It's important to conduct a thorough name search to avoid any conflicts or trademark infringement issues.
While an LLC name search in West Virginia is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Conducting a name search helps ensure that the name you choose for your LLC is available, distinguishable, and in compliance with the state's naming requirements.