Short answer: Restricted words include terms such as bank, trust, engineer, and insurance, which demand professional licensing clearance.
We've pulled these figures from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)'s own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Virginia naming rules
Restricted words include terms such as bank, trust, engineer, and insurance, which demand professional licensing clearance.
Open the official Virginia name search
Reserving a name
Virginia lets you reserve a name for $10, which holds it for 120 days.
Doing business under another name
Virginia DBAs are filed with: state. Fee: $10.
How Virginia compares
Virginia's name reservation fee is $10. That ties for the lowest of the 50 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $25, so Virginia comes in $15 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $10 | 41 of 50 |
| Maryland | $25 | 18 of 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $70 | 3 of 50 |
| South Carolina | $25 | 18 of 50 |
| West Virginia | $15 | 38 of 50 |
| District of Columbia | $50 | 7 of 50 |
Virginia fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011) | $100 | Applies equally to online submissions and mailed paper forms. |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 120 days |
| Amendment | $25 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $10 | state |
Name search and rules: Virginia questions
How do I check if an LLC name is available in Virginia?
Use the official Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) business search. A name that's distinguishable from existing records can usually be registered.
What words must a Virginia LLC name include?
Restricted words include terms such as bank, trust, engineer, and insurance, which demand professional licensing clearance.
Can I reserve an LLC name in Virginia?
Yes. Reservation costs $10 and holds the name for 120 days.
Do I need a DBA in Virginia?
Only if you'll do business under a name other than your exact LLC name. DBAs are filed with: state. Fee: $10.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: ra.change fee, good standing fee, dissolution.tax clearance.