How to Look up an LLC in West Virginia? (A Complete Guide)
If you are planning to establish a business in West Virginia and need to verify if your desired entity name is available, or you simply have to search for a particular company, service or product, you should conduct a West Virginia LLC name search.
As a business consultant for limited liability companies, I have over a decade of experience addressing clients’ concerns.
I confer with legal experts and business advisors to ensure I am well-informed about LLCs across all states. I will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to conduct a West Virginia business name search, backed with in-depth research and all the legal information you need.
Quick Summary
- To look up a West Virginia LLC, visit the Secretary of State's website and use the business name search tool available on the platform.
- Several search options are available online – search by name, trademark search, social media and domain name search.
- You can view all necessary information about the business entity like the name, charter county, physical and mailing address and officer name.
How Do I Look Up An LLC Name in West Virginia?
To look up an LLC name in West Virginia, you can search existing business entities registered through the West Virginia Secretary of State website [1]. The platform contains a database of all registered entities in the state.
To conduct a state business entity search, follow these steps:
- Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State website.
- Type in the business name, officer or agent name of the organization you’re searching for and click enter.
- The search page will display business entities matching your criteria.
- You can opt for the advanced search option and add the desired information to narrow down the results.
- Click on the desired business name of interest.
- You will be able to view all pertinent information about the business entity.
West Virginia Business Search Options
There are several West Virginia business search options you can utilize to complete your search.
1. Search by Business Name
You can look up an LLC by searching for a business name with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
This will generate key business details, including name, type of business, the status of the company, address and location.
2. Trademark Search
When conducting a business name search, it's important to consider that even if it is available, there may be a trademark associated with that name.
You can perform a trademark search through the state’s office electronic name search [2].
If you’re struggling to choose business names, you can also look through expired names. If you believe an expired business name may work for your business name, you may confirm that it is available by calling the Secretary of State at 304-558-6000.
3. Social Media
Because we now live in a digital age, it’s also essential to check search records on various social media platforms to ensure your West Virginia business name is available.
If existing businesses are using your name on social media regardless of filing with the West Virginia Secretary of State, this can lead to future problems.
4. Domain Names
It’s also a good idea to check if the domain name of your business is available. You can use websites like Nemechek or GoDaddy to check available domain names and suggest alternatives [3].
While a .com site is the most common domain, sites that end in .co, .net, and .io are becoming more common and can help you distinguish your website from others.
Information for West Virginia LLC Name Lookup
The information for the West Virginia LLC name lookup will include the following data about the business entity:
- Entity name
- Organization type
- Effective date
- Business purpose
- Charter county
- Business address
- Officer
- Annual reports
When looking up a business entity search with the West Virginia Secretary of State, there are a few key factors to follow.
Search your business name and leave out LLC or any variation of the word when searching LLC names. Also, leave out commas, periods, and other punctuation.
The search is made to use uppercase or lowercase letters, so no capitalization is needed.
To rule out any similar names to your organization name, search only part of your business entity name, and it’s also best to search in singles and multiples of the words.
For example, if your West Virginia LLC's name is Boardwalk Studios LLC, try to search Boardwalk only, Boardwalk Studio, and Boardwalk Studios to rule out similar names.
Interpreting Search Results
If your West Virginia business entity search results show names that aren’t similar to yours, then your limited liability company name is available.
Using the example above, if your limited liability company name is Boardwalk Studios LLC, and the only similar names are Boardwalk Rentals and Boardwalk Studio Starters, your business name is unique from these results.
If no results appear in the West Virginia business entity search, that means that your limited liability company name is unique and available.
If your exact West Virginia LLC name comes up in the list as one of the existing businesses registered, the business name is taken.
You will have to choose a new available trade name or provide a variation to make it unique from the other officially registered businesses.
Related Articles:
- West Virginia Registered Agents
- Dissolving an LLC in West Virginia
- Top LLC Filing Services in West Virginia
- How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in West Virginia
FAQs
Does West Virginia Require LLC in Business Names?
West Virginia requires LLC in business names as a designator. You may alternately place Limited Liability Company or L.L.C. after the business name.
Do I Need A Name Reservation for West Virginia?
You don’t need a name reservation for West Virginia. You will simply file the Articles Of Organization with your LLC name.
Looking Up an LLC in West Virginia
Your West Virginia LLC name is one of the most key decisions you can make when starting your new LLC in West Virginia. The company’s name will be associated with your brand and will be how your customers identify with your business.
The easiest way to look up the availability of your West Virginia business entity name is through the Secretary of State’s website. Make sure to follow all of our tips on how to search and interpret the results.
Ensuring your business name is unique will help you register your LLC quickly.
References:
- https://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/
- https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=login&p_lang=english&p_d=trmk
- https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-check-domain-name-availability-easy-domain-search-tools/
