2011 Code of Virginia
Title 13.1 CORPORATIONS.
Chapter 14 Virginia Business Trust Act (13.1-1200 thru 13.1-1285)
13.1-1214 Name

13.1-1214. Name.

A. The name of each business trust, as set forth in its articles of trust, may contain the following words: "company," "association," "club," "foundation," "fund," "institute," "society," "union," "syndicate," or "trust," or abbreviations of like import.

B. A business trust name shall not contain:

1. The words or phrases "corporation," "professional corporation," "incorporated," "limited company," "limited liability company," "professional limited liability company," "limited partnership," "registered limited liability partnership," "limited liability partnership," "registered limited liability limited partnership," "limited liability limited partnership," "trust company," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," "L.C.," "LC," "L.L.C.," "LLC," "P.C.," "PC," "P.L.C.," "PLC," "P.L.L.C.," "PLLC," "L.P.," "LP," "R.L.L.P.," "RLLP," "L.L.P.," "LLP," "R.L.L.L.P.," "RLLLP," "L.L.L.P.," or "LLLP"; or

2. Any word or phrase the use of which is prohibited by law for such business trust.

C. Except as authorized by subsection D, a business trust name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Commission from:

1. The name of a domestic business trust or a foreign business trust registered to transact business in this Commonwealth;

2. A business trust name reserved under 13.1-1215;

3. The designated name adopted by a foreign business trust because its real name is unavailable for use in this Commonwealth;

4. The name of any corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, existing under the laws of this Commonwealth or authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth;

5. A corporate name reserved or registered under 13.1-631, 13.1-632, 13.1-830 or 13.1-831;

6. The designated name adopted by a foreign corporation, whether issuing shares or not issuing shares, because its real name is unavailable for use in this Commonwealth;

7. The name of a domestic limited liability company or a foreign limited liability company registered to transact business in this Commonwealth;

8. A limited liability company name reserved under 13.1-1013;

9. The designated name adopted by a foreign limited liability company because its real name is unavailable for use in this Commonwealth;

10. The name of a domestic limited partnership or a foreign limited partnership registered to transact business in this Commonwealth;

11. A limited partnership name reserved under 50-73.3; and

12. The designated name adopted by a foreign limited partnership because its real name is unavailable for use in this Commonwealth.

D. 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 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. 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.

F. 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, subdivision 1 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 this Commonwealth or authorized or registered to transact business in this Commonwealth.

(2002, c. 621; 2003, cc. 373, 592; 2005, c. 379.)