{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/13.1-1214.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/13.1-1214.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/13.1-1214.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/13.1-1214.html"}],"law_id":68645,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68645,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1214","catch_line":"Name","history":"2002, c. 621; 2003, cc. 373, 592; 2005, c. 379; 2012, c. 63; 2013, c. 25; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.","full_text":"A\n\nA business trust name may contain:1\n\nOne or more of the following words: “association,” “club,” “company,” “foundation,” “fund,” “institute,” “society,” “syndicate,” or “union,” or abbreviations of like import; and2\n\nThe word “trust,” provided that the context or remaining words in the name meet the standards prescribed in §§ 6.2-939 and 6.2-1040.B\n\nA business trust name shall not contain:1\n\nAny word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the business trust is a corporation, a limited liability company, a limited partnership, a registered limited liability partnership, or a protected series of a series limited liability company; or2\n\nAny word or phrase the use of which is prohibited by law for such business trust.C\n\nExcept as authorized by subsection D, a business trust name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:1\n\nThe name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;2\n\nA business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;3\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign business trust because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;4\n\nThe name of any corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, existing under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth;5\n\nA corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631, 13.1-632, 13.1-830, or 13.1-831;6\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;7\n\nThe name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;8\n\nA limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;9\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;10\n\nThe name of a domestic limited partnership or a foreign limited partnership registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;11\n\nA limited partnership name reserved under § 50-73.3; and12\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign limited partnership because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth.D\n\nA domestic business trust may apply to the Commission for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon its records from one or more of the names described in subsection C. The Commission shall authorize use of the name applied for if the other domestic or foreign business trust or other business entity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the Commission to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from the name of the applying business trust.E\n\nThe use of assumed names or fictitious names, as provided for in Chapter 5 (§ 59.1-69 et seq.) of Title 59.1, is not affected by this chapter.F\n\nThe Commission, in determining whether a business trust name is distinguishable upon its records from the name of any of the business entities listed in subsection C, shall not consider any word, phrase, abbreviation, or designation required or permitted under § 13.1-544.1, subsection A of § 13.1-630, subsection A of § 13.1-1012, § 13.1-1104, subsection A of § 50-73.2, and subdivision A 2 of § 50-73.78 to be contained in the name of a business entity formed or organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized or registered to transact business in the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248452,"text":"A business trust name may contain:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":248453,"text":"One or more of the following words: “association,” “club,” “company,” “foundation,” “fund,” “institute,” “society,” “syndicate,” or “union,” or abbreviations of like import; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":248454,"text":"The word “trust,” provided that the context or remaining words in the name meet the standards prescribed in §§ 6.2-939 and 6.2-1040.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":248455,"text":"A business trust name shall not contain:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B1"},"4":{"id":248456,"text":"Any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the business trust is a corporation, a limited liability company, a limited partnership, a registered limited liability partnership, or a protected series of a series limited liability company; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"5":{"id":248457,"text":"Any word or phrase the use of which is prohibited by law for such business trust.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":248458,"text":"Except as authorized by subsection D, a business trust name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C1"},"7":{"id":248459,"text":"The name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"8":{"id":248460,"text":"A business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"9":{"id":248461,"text":"The designated name adopted by a foreign business trust because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"10":{"id":248462,"text":"The name of any corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, existing under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"11":{"id":248463,"text":"A corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631, 13.1-632, 13.1-830, or 13.1-831;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"12":{"id":248464,"text":"The designated name adopted by a foreign corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"C7"},"13":{"id":248465,"text":"The name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"C7","prefix_anchor":"C7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C6","next_prefix":"C8"},"14":{"id":248466,"text":"A limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"C8","prefix_anchor":"C8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C7","next_prefix":"C9"},"15":{"id":248467,"text":"The designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"C9","prefix_anchor":"C9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C8","next_prefix":"C10"},"16":{"id":248468,"text":"The name of a domestic limited partnership or a foreign limited partnership registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"C10","prefix_anchor":"C10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C9","next_prefix":"C11"},"17":{"id":248469,"text":"A limited partnership name reserved under § 50-73.3; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"C11","prefix_anchor":"C11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C10","next_prefix":"C12"},"18":{"id":248470,"text":"The designated name adopted by a foreign limited partnership because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"C12","prefix_anchor":"C12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C11","next_prefix":"D"},"19":{"id":248471,"text":"A domestic business trust may apply to the Commission for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon its records from one or more of the names described in subsection C. The Commission shall authorize use of the name applied for if the other domestic or foreign business trust or other business entity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the Commission to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from the name of the applying business trust.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C12","next_prefix":"E"},"20":{"id":248472,"text":"The use of assumed names or fictitious names, as provided for in Chapter 5 (§ 59.1-69 et seq.) of Title 59.1, is not affected by this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"21":{"id":248473,"text":"The Commission, in determining whether a business trust name is distinguishable upon its records from the name of any of the business entities listed in subsection C, shall not consider any word, phrase, abbreviation, or designation required or permitted under § 13.1-544.1, subsection A of § 13.1-630, subsection A of § 13.1-1012, § 13.1-1104, subsection A of § 50-73.2, and subdivision A 2 of § 50-73.78 to be contained in the name of a business entity formed or organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized or registered to transact business in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14984,"edition_id":1,"name":"Formation","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12745,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:18","permalink":{"id":149305,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14984,"identifier":"2","token":"13.1\/14\/2","url":"\/13.1\/14\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12745,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Business Trust Act","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12744,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":149111,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12745,"identifier":"14","token":"13.1\/14","url":"\/13.1\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12744,"edition_id":1,"name":"Corporations","identifier":"13.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":147493,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12744,"identifier":"13.1","token":"13.1","url":"\/13.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59719,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1209","catch_line":"Purposes","url":"\/13.1-1209\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1209","metadata":false},{"id":73430,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1210","catch_line":"Powers","url":"\/13.1-1210\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1210","metadata":false},{"id":87115,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1211","catch_line":"Formation","url":"\/13.1-1211\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1211","metadata":false},{"id":76794,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1212","catch_line":"Articles of trust","url":"\/13.1-1212\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1212","metadata":false},{"id":82051,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1213","catch_line":"Articles of correction","url":"\/13.1-1213\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1213","metadata":false},{"id":68645,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1214","catch_line":"Name","url":"\/13.1-1214\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1214","metadata":false},{"id":87380,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1215","catch_line":"Reserved name","url":"\/13.1-1215\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1215","metadata":false},{"id":57174,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1216","catch_line":"Amendment of articles of trust","url":"\/13.1-1216\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1216","metadata":false},{"id":81214,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1217","catch_line":"Restatement of articles of trust","url":"\/13.1-1217\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1217","metadata":false},{"id":81602,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1218","catch_line":"Existence","url":"\/13.1-1218\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1218","metadata":false},{"id":84854,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1219","catch_line":"Governing instrument","url":"\/13.1-1219\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1219","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82051,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1213","catch_line":"Articles of correction","url":"\/13.1-1213\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1213","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":87380,"structure_id":14984,"section_number":"13.1-1215","catch_line":"Reserved name","url":"\/13.1-1215\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1215","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/13.1-1214\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2002. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 621<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2003, chapters 373<\/a> and 592<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 379<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 63<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 25<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60639,"section_number":"13.1-1013","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1013\/"},{"id":62656,"section_number":"13.1-1085","catch_line":"Articles of entity conversion","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1085\/"},{"id":70631,"section_number":"13.1-1203","catch_line":"Issuance of certificate by Commission; recordation of documents","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1203\/"},{"id":76794,"section_number":"13.1-1212","catch_line":"Articles of trust","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1212\/"},{"id":87380,"section_number":"13.1-1215","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1215\/"},{"id":82140,"section_number":"13.1-1239","catch_line":"Reinstatement of a business trust that has ceased to exist","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1239\/"},{"id":83737,"section_number":"13.1-1244","catch_line":"Name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1244\/"},{"id":75732,"section_number":"13.1-1246.3","catch_line":"Reinstatement of a certificate of registration that has been canceled","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1246.3\/"},{"id":58042,"section_number":"13.1-1268","catch_line":"Articles of domestication","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1268\/"},{"id":64637,"section_number":"13.1-631","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-631\/"},{"id":54078,"section_number":"13.1-830","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-830\/"},{"id":86500,"section_number":"50-73.3","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/50-73.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82092,"section_number":"13.1-1012","catch_line":"Name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1012\/"},{"id":60639,"section_number":"13.1-1013","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1013\/"},{"id":70376,"section_number":"13.1-1104","catch_line":"Use of initials \"P.L.C.,\" \"PLC,\" \"P.L.L.C.\" or \"PLLC\" in company name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1104\/"},{"id":87380,"section_number":"13.1-1215","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1215\/"},{"id":58412,"section_number":"13.1-544.1","catch_line":"Use of initials \"P.C.\" or \"PC\" in corporate name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-544.1\/"},{"id":71750,"section_number":"13.1-630","catch_line":"Corporate name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-630\/"},{"id":64637,"section_number":"13.1-631","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-631\/"},{"id":66748,"section_number":"13.1-632","catch_line":"Registered name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-632\/"},{"id":54078,"section_number":"13.1-830","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-830\/"},{"id":86156,"section_number":"13.1-831","catch_line":"Registered name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-831\/"},{"id":71893,"section_number":"50-73.2","catch_line":"Name","order_by":null,"url":"\/50-73.2\/"},{"id":86500,"section_number":"50-73.3","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/50-73.3\/"},{"id":82439,"section_number":"50-73.78","catch_line":"Limited partnership as registered limited liability partnership","order_by":null,"url":"\/50-73.78\/"},{"id":63628,"section_number":"59.1-69","catch_line":"Certificate required of person transacting business under assumed name","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-69\/"},{"id":63908,"section_number":"6.2-939","catch_line":"Unlawful use of terms indicating that business is bank; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-939\/"}],"permalink":{"id":149327,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68645,"identifier":"13.1-1214","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1214","url":"\/13.1-1214\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/13.1-1214\/","token":"13.1\/14\/2\/13.1-1214","dublin_core":{"Title":"Name","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 13.1-1214","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A business trust<\/span> name may contain: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> One or more of the following words: “association,” “club,” “company,” “foundation,” “fund,” “institute,” “society,” “syndicate,” or “union,” or abbreviations of like import; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The word “trust,” provided that the context or remaining words in the name meet the standards prescribed in §§ 6.2-939<\/a> and 6.2-1040<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A business trust<\/span> name shall not contain: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the business trust<\/span> is a corporation, a limited liability company, a limited partnership, a registered limited liability partnership<\/span>, or a protected series<\/span> of a series limited liability company; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any word or phrase the use of which is prohibited by law<\/span> for such business trust<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Except as authorized by subsection D, a business trust<\/span> name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Commission<\/span> from: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The name of a domestic business trust<\/span> or a foreign business trust<\/span> registered to transact business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The designated name adopted by a foreign business trust<\/span> because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The name of any corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, existing under the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> A corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631<\/a>, 13.1-632<\/a>, 13.1-830<\/a>, or 13.1-831<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The designated name adopted by a foreign corporation<\/span>, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company<\/span> registered to transact business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> A limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> The designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company<\/span> because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> The name of a domestic limited partnership<\/span> or a foreign limited partnership<\/span> registered to transact business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> A limited partnership name reserved under § 50-73.3<\/a>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> The designated name adopted by a foreign limited partnership<\/span> because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A domestic business trust<\/span> may apply to the Commission<\/span> for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon its records from one or more of the names described in subsection C. The Commission<\/span> shall authorize use of the name applied for if the other domestic or foreign business trust<\/span> or other business entity<\/span> consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the Commission<\/span> to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the Commission<\/span> from the name of the applying business trust. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The use of assumed names or fictitious names, as provided for in Chapter 5 (§ 59.1-69<\/a> et seq.) of Title 59.1, is not affected by this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Commission<\/span>, in determining whether a business trust name is distinguishable upon its records from the name of any of the business entities listed in subsection C, shall not consider any word, phrase, abbreviation, or designation required or permitted under § 13.1-544.1<\/a>, subsection A of § 13.1-630<\/a>, subsection A of § 13.1-1012<\/a>, § 13.1-1104<\/a>, subsection A of § 50-73.2<\/a>, and subdivision A 2 of § 50-73.78<\/a> to be contained in the name of a business entity formed or organized under the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth or authorized or registered to transact business in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNAME (\u00a7 13.1-1214)\n\nA. A business trust name may contain:\n\n 1. One or more of the following words: “association,”\n “club,” “company,” “foundation,”\n “fund,” “institute,” “society,”\n “syndicate,” or “union,” or abbreviations of like\n import; and\n\n 2. The word “trust,” provided that the context or remaining words\n in the name meet the standards prescribed in §§ 6.2-939 and\n 6.2-1040.\n\nB. A business trust name shall not contain:\n\n 1. Any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies\n the business trust is a corporation, a limited liability company, a limited\n partnership, a registered limited liability partnership, or a protected series\n of a series limited liability company; or\n\n 2. Any word or phrase the use of which is prohibited by law for such business\n trust.\n\nC. Except as authorized by subsection D, a business trust name shall be\ndistinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:\n\n 1. The name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust\n registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 2. A business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;\n\n 3. The designated name adopted by a foreign business trust because its real\n name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;\n\n 4. The name of any corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares,\n existing under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized to transact business\n in the Commonwealth;\n\n 5. A corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631, 13.1-632,\n 13.1-830, or 13.1-831;\n\n 6. The designated name adopted by a foreign corporation, whether issuing\n shares or not issuing shares, because its real name is unavailable for use in\n the Commonwealth;\n\n 7. The name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited\n liability company registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 8. A limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;\n\n 9. The designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because\n its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;\n\n 10. The name of a domestic limited partnership or a foreign limited\n partnership registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 11. A limited partnership name reserved under § 50-73.3; and\n\n 12. The designated name adopted by a foreign limited partnership because its\n real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth.\n\nD. A domestic business trust may apply to the Commission for authorization to\nuse a name that is not distinguishable upon its records from one or more of the\nnames described in subsection C. The Commission shall authorize use of the name\napplied for if the other domestic or foreign business trust or other business\nentity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in a form\nsatisfactory to the Commission to change its name to a name that is\ndistinguishable upon the records of the Commission from the name of the applying\nbusiness trust.\n\nE. The use of assumed names or fictitious names, as provided for in Chapter 5\n(§ 59.1-69 et seq.) of Title 59.1, is not affected by this chapter.\n\nF. The Commission, in determining whether a business trust name is\ndistinguishable upon its records from the name of any of the business entities\nlisted in subsection C, shall not consider any word, phrase, abbreviation, or\ndesignation required or permitted under § 13.1-544.1, subsection A of\n§ 13.1-630, subsection A of § 13.1-1012, § 13.1-1104, subsection\nA of § 50-73.2, and subdivision A 2 of § 50-73.78 to be contained in\nthe name of a business entity formed or organized under the laws of the\nCommonwealth or authorized or registered to transact business in the\nCommonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 2002, c. 621; 2003, cc. 373, 592; 2005, c. 379; 2012, c. 63; 2013, c.\n25; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}