{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/13.1-630.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/13.1-630.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/13.1-630.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/13.1-630.html"}],"law_id":71750,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71750,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-630","catch_line":"Corporate name","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-6; 1956, c. 428; 1968, c. 241; 1975, c. 500; 1985, c. 522; 1986, c. 232; 2003, c. 592; 2005, cc. 379, 765; 2009, c. 216; 2012, c. 63; 2019, c. 734; 2020, c. 1226; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.","full_text":"A\n\nA corporate name shall contain the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or the abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” or “ltd.” Such words and their corresponding abbreviations may be used interchangeably for all purposes.B\n\nA corporate name shall not contain:1\n\nAny language stating or implying that the corporation will conduct any of the special kinds of businesses listed in § 13.1-620 unless it proposes in fact to engage in such special kind of business;2\n\nThe word “redevelopment” unless the corporation is organized as an urban redevelopment corporation pursuant to Chapter 190 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, as amended;3\n\nAny word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the corporation is a limited liability company, a limited partnership, a registered limited liability partnership, or a protected series of a series limited liability company; or4\n\nAny word or phrase that is prohibited by law for such corporation.C\n\nExcept as authorized by subsection D, a corporate name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:1\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;2\n\nA corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631, 13.1-632, 13.1-830 or 13.1-831;3\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;4\n\nThe name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;5\n\nA limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;6\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;7\n\nThe name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;8\n\nA business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;9\n\nThe designated name adopted by a foreign business trust 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 corporation may apply to the Commission for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon the Commission’s 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 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 corporation.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 corporate 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 this section and § 13.1-544.1, 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":258478,"text":"A corporate name shall contain the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or the abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” or “ltd.” Such words and their corresponding abbreviations may be used interchangeably for all purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":258479,"text":"A corporate name shall not contain:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":258480,"text":"Any language stating or implying that the corporation will conduct any of the special kinds of businesses listed in § 13.1-620 unless it proposes in fact to engage in such special kind of business;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":258481,"text":"The word “redevelopment” unless the corporation is organized as an urban redevelopment corporation pursuant to Chapter 190 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, as amended;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":258482,"text":"Any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies the corporation is 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","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":258483,"text":"Any word or phrase that is prohibited by law for such corporation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":258484,"text":"Except as authorized by subsection D, a corporate 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":"B4","next_prefix":"C1"},"7":{"id":258485,"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","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"8":{"id":258486,"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","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"9":{"id":258487,"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","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"10":{"id":258488,"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","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"11":{"id":258489,"text":"A limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"12":{"id":258490,"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","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"C7"},"13":{"id":258491,"text":"The name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust 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":258492,"text":"A business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"C8","prefix_anchor":"C8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C7","next_prefix":"C9"},"15":{"id":258493,"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","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"C9","prefix_anchor":"C9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C8","next_prefix":"C10"},"16":{"id":258494,"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":258495,"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":258496,"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":258497,"text":"A domestic corporation may apply to the Commission for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon the Commission’s 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 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 corporation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C12","next_prefix":"E"},"20":{"id":258498,"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":258499,"text":"The Commission, in determining whether a corporate 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 this section and § 13.1-544.1, 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":15475,"edition_id":1,"name":"Name","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12983,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:19","permalink":{"id":150939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15475,"identifier":"5","token":"13.1\/9\/5","url":"\/13.1\/9\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12983,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Stock Corporation Act","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12744,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":150163,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12983,"identifier":"9","token":"13.1\/9","url":"\/13.1\/9\/","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":71750,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-630","catch_line":"Corporate name","url":"\/13.1-630\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-630","metadata":false},{"id":64637,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-631","catch_line":"Reserved name","url":"\/13.1-631\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-631","metadata":false},{"id":66748,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-632","catch_line":"Registered name","url":"\/13.1-632\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-632","metadata":false},{"id":58946,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-633","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/13.1-633\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-633","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":64637,"structure_id":15475,"section_number":"13.1-631","catch_line":"Reserved name","url":"\/13.1-631\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-631","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/13.1-630\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 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 1956, chapter 428; in 1968, chapter 241; in 1975, chapter 500; in 1985, chapter 522; in 1986, chapter 232; in 2003, chapter 592<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 379<\/a> and 765<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 216<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 63<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 734<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 1226<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"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":62656,"section_number":"13.1-1085","catch_line":"Articles of entity conversion","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1085\/"},{"id":68645,"section_number":"13.1-1214","catch_line":"Name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-1214\/"},{"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":70454,"section_number":"13.1-606","catch_line":"Effective time and date of document","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-606\/"},{"id":66733,"section_number":"13.1-619","catch_line":"Articles of incorporation","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-619\/"},{"id":64637,"section_number":"13.1-631","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-631\/"},{"id":70924,"section_number":"13.1-754","catch_line":"Reinstatement of a corporation that has ceased to exist","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-754\/"},{"id":54580,"section_number":"13.1-762","catch_line":"Corporate name of foreign corporation","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-762\/"},{"id":83167,"section_number":"13.1-829","catch_line":"Corporate name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-829\/"},{"id":54078,"section_number":"13.1-830","catch_line":"Reserved name","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-830\/"},{"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":68321,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3902\/"},{"id":55786,"section_number":"6.2-1116","catch_line":"Corporation name","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1116\/"},{"id":72615,"section_number":"6.2-1401","catch_line":"Powers of associations","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-1401\/"}],"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":63023,"section_number":"13.1-620","catch_line":"Special kinds of business","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-620\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":150941,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71750,"identifier":"13.1-630","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-630","url":"\/13.1-630\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/13.1-630\/","token":"13.1\/9\/5\/13.1-630","dublin_core":{"Title":"Corporate name","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 13.1-630","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A corporate name shall contain the word “corporation<\/span>,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or the abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” or “ltd.” Such words and their corresponding abbreviations may be used interchangeably for all purposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

1.<\/span> Any language stating or implying that the corporation<\/span> will conduct any of the special kinds of businesses listed in § 13.1-620<\/a> unless it proposes in fact<\/span> to engage in such special kind of business; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The word “redevelopment” unless the corporation<\/span> is organized as an urban redevelopment corporation<\/span> pursuant to Chapter 190 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, as amended; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

4.<\/span> Any word or phrase that is prohibited by law<\/span> for such corporation<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Except as authorized by subsection D, a corporate 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 any corporation<\/span>, whether issuing shares<\/span> or not issuing shares<\/span>, 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

2.<\/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

3.<\/span> The designated name adopted by a foreign corporation<\/span>, whether issuing shares<\/span> or not issuing shares<\/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 a domestic limited liability company<\/span> 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

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

6.<\/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

7.<\/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

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

9.<\/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

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 corporation<\/span> may apply to the Commission<\/span> for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable upon the Commission<\/span>’s 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 entity<\/span> consents to the use in writing<\/span> 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 corporation. <\/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 corporate 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 this section and § 13.1-544.1<\/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<\/span> 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\nCORPORATE NAME (\u00a7 13.1-630)\n\nA. A corporate name shall contain the word “corporation,”\n“incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or\nthe abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” or\n“ltd.” Such words and their corresponding abbreviations may be used\ninterchangeably for all purposes.\n\nB. A corporate name shall not contain:\n\n 1. Any language stating or implying that the corporation will conduct any of\n the special kinds of businesses listed in § 13.1-620 unless it proposes\n in fact to engage in such special kind of business;\n\n 2. The word “redevelopment” unless the corporation is organized as\n an urban redevelopment corporation pursuant to Chapter 190 of the Acts of\n Assembly of 1946, as amended;\n\n 3. Any word, abbreviation, or combination of characters that states or implies\n the corporation is a limited liability company, a limited partnership, a\n registered limited liability partnership, or a protected series of a series\n limited liability company; or\n\n 4. Any word or phrase that is prohibited by law for such corporation.\n\nC. Except as authorized by subsection D, a corporate name shall be\ndistinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:\n\n 1. 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 2. A corporate name reserved or registered under § 13.1-631, 13.1-632,\n 13.1-830 or 13.1-831;\n\n 3. 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 4. The name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited\n liability company registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 5. A limited liability company name reserved under § 13.1-1013;\n\n 6. The designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because\n its real name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth;\n\n 7. The name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust\n registered to transact business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 8. A business trust name reserved under § 13.1-1215;\n\n 9. The designated name adopted by a foreign business trust because its real\n 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 corporation may apply to the Commission for authorization to use a\nname that is not distinguishable upon the Commission’s records from one or\nmore of the names described in subsection C. The Commission shall authorize use\nof the name applied for if the other entity consents to the use in writing and\nsubmits an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the Commission to change its\nname to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from\nthe name of the applying corporation.\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 corporate name is distinguishable\nupon its records from the name of any of the business entities listed in\nsubsection C, shall not consider any word, phrase, abbreviation, or designation\nrequired or permitted under this section and § 13.1-544.1, subsection A of\n§ 13.1-1012, § 13.1-1104, subsection A of § 50-73.2, and\nsubdivision A 2 of § 50-73.78 to be contained in the name of a business\nentity formed or organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or authorized or\nregistered to transact business in the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-6; 1956, c. 428; 1968, c. 241; 1975, c. 500; 1985,\nc. 522; 1986, c. 232; 2003, c. 592; 2005, cc. 379, 765; 2009, c. 216; 2012, c.\n63; 2019, c. 734; 2020, c. 1226; 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}}