How to File a DBA in West Virginia
Getting a DBA, known in West Virginia as a trade name, will go a long way in establishing your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.
We’ll show you how to register a West Virginia DBA below.
Or, you can save time and use a reputable DBA service.
Recommended: Register your DBA and establish your brand with LegalZoom. Packages start at $99 (plus state filing fees).
Register a DBA in West Virginia
Registering a West Virginia trade name, also known as a DBA, is easy!
Step 1. Start with a West Virginia Trade Name Search
When you register your West Virginia trade name, you are essentially letting other business owners know that the name is in use. Your trade name isn’t protected from being used by others. The next step is to check to see if your West Virginia trade name is unique and also meets West Virginia’s business name requirements.
First, visit the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.
Next, review the West Virginia naming requirements. In West Virginia, trade names should NOT include:
- Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
- The terms “banking” and/or “insurance,” if the business activity does not include “banking” and/or “insurance.”
- Words such as “engineer” or “engineering,” unless the company’s purpose is to practice professional engineering AND one of the principals is a registered West Virginia professional engineer.
We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.
Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?
If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our free logo generator.
Step 2. Register Your West Virginia DBA
Your West Virginia trade name can be filed online or by mail with the Secretary of State. You can file online with the WV One Stop Business Portal or you can complete the proper trade name registration form.
There are two different DBA forms, and you will need to pick the right one for your company’s business structure: the form for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships, or the form for Corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs.
The registration forms require you to include certain information, including:
- Trade name(s) being registered
- Name and address of the registrant
- Address of principal office
Recommended: Use a reputable service. LegalZoom offers a hassle free DBA filing package starting at $99 + State Filing Fees.
File a West Virginia Trade Name
Option 1: Log in and File Online With the WV One Stop Business Portal
File Online- OR -
Option 2: File the Trade Name Registration form by Mail or In-Person
Download Form for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships
Download Form for Corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs
Cost:
$25 Filing Fee for corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs
No fee for sole proprietorships and general partnerships
Expediting Fees:
$25 for 24-hour processing
$250 for 2-hour processing
$500 for 1-hour processing
Filing Addresses:
Charleston Office
One-Stop Business Center
1615 Washington Street East
Charleston, WV 25311
Clarksburg Office
North Central WV Business Center
200 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Martinsburg Office
Eastern Panhandle Business Center
229 E. Martin Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Manage Your West Virginia Trade Name
General Questions
Call the West Virginia Secretary of State Business Division: (304) 558-8000
Renew Your Trade Name With the State
Your West Virginia trade name does not need to be renewed.
Change Your Trade Name
You will need to complete a new registration to change your trade name in West Virginia.
Withdraw Your Trade Name
You can cancel your trade name online or submit the proper withdrawal form for your business type:
Form for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships
Form for Corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs
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After Filing Your West Virginia DBA
If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, then there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:
- Create your Business’s Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that’s best for you.
- Get your Business Finances in Order - You’ll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business has long lead times or other cash flow irregularities, you can also look into a business credit card.
- Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business’s assets also need protection. Having the right business insurance will ensure that you’re covered if the worst happens. Most businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.
DBA West Virginia FAQ
You can have as many DBAs as you can afford to create and are able to keep track of. Each one comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.
DBAs aren’t required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren’t a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if an EIN is required.
To learn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.
No. An LLC is a business entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.
Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business entity, therefore it can choose to become an LLC.
To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.
A DBA can only have Inc. in the name if the business entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.
Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will not afford you any protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental property. In any case, it is always best to consult an attorney.
Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business’s legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name change.
Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to state. It is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.