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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Virginia.
| Official Term | Assumed or fictitious name (certificate of assumed or fictitious name) [2] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), clerk of the Commission. Since 2020, all certificates are filed statewide with the SCC, not with a circuit court [1] |
| Form | Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name, filed online through the Clerk's Information System (CIS) [3] |
| State Fee | $10 per certificate of assumed or fictitious name [4] |
| Processing Time | Online filings through CIS are processed quickly, often the same business day [1] |
| Renewal Required | No. A Virginia certificate of assumed or fictitious name does not expire and has no renewal requirement [1] |
| Cancellation | File a certificate of release of an assumed or fictitious name with the SCC; the fee is $10 [6] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Virginia, the official term is "assumed or fictitious name," and the filing is called a certificate of assumed or fictitious name. [2]
Any type of business can register a fictitious name in Virginia. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. Individuals file under their own information, while registered entities file using their SCC identification number.
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership structure. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. A fictitious name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | Virginia banks generally require a registered fictitious name before opening a business account in a name other than your legal name. | One entity can run several brands or product lines under separate fictitious names without forming a new company for each. | A fictitious name keeps your personal identity off public branding and signals to customers that you are an established business. |
Virginia routes all fictitious name registrations through the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Since January 2020, businesses no longer file fictitious name certificates with the local circuit court. Every certificate is now filed statewide with the clerk of the Commission, usually online through the Clerk's Information System (CIS). [1]
Before you file, confirm the name you want is available and not confusingly similar to an existing business name. A clear search protects your brand and helps you avoid disputes with another owner who is already using the name.
You can search registered business names and existing fictitious names for free through the SCC Clerk's Information System (CIS). Check there before you commit to a brand or print any marketing materials. [3]
Virginia fictitious name rules are simple, but a few limits apply.
| Your fictitious name should be distinguishable | Match designators to your real structure | Restricted words require approval |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a name that is not the same as, or confusingly similar to, a name already on file. The SCC reviews entity names for distinguishability. [1] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a fictitious name. An organizational designator should match your actual business structure. | Words such as "bank," "trust," or "insurance" and other regulated terms may require approval from the relevant authority before they can be used in a business name. |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Filing a fictitious name in Virginia gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]
File the Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name with the clerk of the State Corporation Commission. The fastest path is online through the Clerk's Information System (CIS). Since January 2020, this single statewide filing replaces the old circuit court process. [1]
| Situation | State Fee |
|---|---|
| File a certificate of assumed or fictitious name with the SCC | $10 per certificate [4] |
| Add another fictitious name later | $10 for each additional certificate [4] |
| File a certificate of release to cancel a fictitious name | $10 [6] |
Online: Clerk's Information System (CIS), the SCC online filing portal, where you can file and pay electronically [3]
By mail or in person: State Corporation Commission, Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218-1197
More guidance: the SCC fictitious name FAQs explain the form fields and how individuals and entities each complete the certificate [1]
Filing fees are non-refundable, so review the certificate before you submit it. A rejected or incomplete filing must be corrected and filed again.
Once you submit through CIS, the clerk of the Commission processes the certificate, often the same business day for online filings. You can download a confirmation of the filing from your CIS account. [1]
Keep your filed certificate. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for it before they let you operate or accept funds under the fictitious name.
A Virginia certificate of assumed or fictitious name does not expire and has no renewal requirement. When you stop using the name, file a certificate of release of an assumed or fictitious name with the SCC for a $10 fee. [6]
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.
A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.
Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, a fictitious name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Fictitious Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $10 state fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Virginia fictitious name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
Before 2020, fictitious names were filed with the local circuit court. That changed: every certificate of assumed or fictitious name is now filed statewide with the State Corporation Commission. Filing at the courthouse no longer registers your name. [1]
Checking Google or a domain registrar is not an official search. Use the SCC Clerk's Information System to confirm the name is available before you file. [3]
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a fictitious name unless the business is actually organized that way. The designator must match your real structure.
An LLC, corporation, business trust, or limited partnership must list the identification number the Commission issued. Filing without it, or with the wrong number, can get the certificate rejected. [4]
A fictitious name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.
State approval is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]
[1] Virginia State Corporation Commission. Fictitious Names FAQs. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] Code of Virginia. Section 59.1-69, Certificate required of person transacting business under assumed name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] Virginia State Corporation Commission. Clerk's Information System (CIS). Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] Code of Virginia. Section 59.1-70, Filing a certificate with State Corporation Commission; fee. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[6] Code of Virginia. Section 59.1-70.1, Certificate of release. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
