West Virginia Business Name Search

Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the West Virginia Business Organization Search tool to see if your name is unique.

In our West Virginia Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in West Virginia.

How to Check if Your West Virginia LLC Name Is Available

Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in West Virginia. 

1. Follow LLC Naming Rules

Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements. 

Some key guidelines for West Virginia LLC names include:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”). “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “company” may be abbreviated as “Co.”
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes West Virginia reserved names.

Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.

West Virginia also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

• Your name can’t include any of the following words: “incorporated,” “corporation,” “company,” “limited,” “inc.,” “corp.,” “co.,” or “ltd.”
• Your name can’t contain any word or phrase that implies the LLC is organized for any purpose other than the one stated in its Articles of Organization.
• The terms “banking” and/or “insurance” can’t be used in the business name if the business activity doesn’t include “banking” and/or “insurance.”
• Words like “engineer” or “engineering” may only be used if the purpose is to practice professional engineering and one of the principals is a registered West Virginia professional engineer.
• Some other licensed professions have specific requirements and prohibitions.
• Your name can’t include “911.”

For more information, check out West Virginia’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In West Virginia, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.

2. Search for LLC Names

The first search you need to complete is at the state level to ensure there’s no existing business already using your chosen business name. 

You can search for an LLC name in West Virginia in two ways:

• Online: You can check your business name availability by searching the West Virginia Business Organization Search online database.
• By Phone: You can call the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Business Registration Unit at (304) 558-8000 for a preliminary name availability screening.

We recommend calling the Secretary of State for preliminary name approval, even if your name appears as available on the West Virginia Business Organization Search online database.

3. Check Available Domain Names

When choosing a business name, you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This 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 using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.

What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.

4. Reserve Your LLC Name

You may reserve your LLC name in West Virginia for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.

You can file a name reservation via hard copy with the West Virginia Secretary of State. The filing fee is $15.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

Safeguard your brand by conducting a thorough trademark search. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website provides a comprehensive tool to check for existing trademarks that might conflict with your chosen business name or logo. Don’t rely solely on state-level LLC name approval. For additional support, consult our list of recommended trademark services for new ventures.

6. Form Your West Virginia LLC 

West Virginia allows you to form an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This crucial step officially registers your business with the state and secures your business name. 

Your Articles of Organization must include the LLC’s name, principal office address, registered agent information, and the name and address of each organizer. West Virginia also requires you to state the purpose for which the LLC is formed and indicate if the LLC will be a professional LLC (if applicable).

West Virginia LLC Name Search FAQ

West Virginia Business Resources