VerifySOS is a 50-state business-verification tool for credit and underwriting in trucking and commercial finance. One search merges Secretary of State registration, FMCSA/USDOT authority, OFAC sanctions, ownership, and county DBA filings into a single PDF packet.

How do I look up a business across all 50 states?

Enter the company name and its 2-letter state code (or a USDOT number) on verifysos.com. It searches the Secretary of State and FMCSA SAFER side by side, screens OFAC, and generates a verification packet PDF.

How much does VerifySOS cost?

There is a free tier and a Pro plan at $14.99/month with unlimited searches.

Does VerifySOS show business ownership and officers?

Yes. Where a state publishes officers, members, or managers in its free public records, VerifySOS pulls them into the packet, separate from the registered agent, which is not the owner.

← All posts August 23, 2026

Arlington County DBA search — how to look up a fictitious business name (VA)

When a business in Arlington County operates under a name other than its legal entity name, that name must be filed as a fictitious business name (also called an assumed name or DBA). But a DBA filing is not an LLC, corporation, or partnership. It’s a registration that ties a trading name to an owner. If you’re underwriting a deal and the applicant gives you a DBA, you need to search the actual filing to find the real entity behind it, then verify that entity with the Virginia Secretary of State.

What a DBA filing actually is

A fictitious business name registration is a county-level filing, not a state-level one. Arlington County records these filings in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The filing says: “This person (or this business entity) is doing business under this other name.” It does not create a separate legal entity. If John Smith operates “Smith’s Plumbing” but never formed an LLC or corporation, he files the DBA in Arlington County and continues to operate as a sole proprietorship under that assumed name. If an LLC formed in Virginia wants to trade as “Best Heating & Cooling,” the LLC files the DBA. Either way, the underlying legal entity (or sole proprietor) is what matters for credit.

How to search Arlington County DBA filings

The Arlington County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains records of fictitious business name filings. You can search these records through the county’s public records system. The search will ask you to provide the DBA name, owner name, or filing number. Once you find the filing, you’ll see the assumed name, the legal owner or entity, the filing date, and often the expiration date.

A complete DBA record shows: - The fictitious business name (the “doing business as” name). - The true owner (individual name, or legal entity name like an LLC or corporation). - The business address. - The filing date. - The expiration date (most DBA filings in Virginia last for five years and must be renewed).

This is the key step: from the DBA filing, extract the true owner or entity name. That name is what you verify next.

Why a DBA is not a registered business entity

A common underwriting mistake is treating a DBA filing as verification of the business. It isn’t. A DBA tells you what name a known owner is trading under; it doesn’t tell you whether that owner is legitimate, whether they have authority to borrow, or whether the business has good standing. A sole proprietor with a DBA has no separate liability shield. An LLC with a DBA is still that LLC, with the same legal status. You cannot credit a DBA. You credit the entity (or individual) behind it.

This is why the DBA filing is just the first step. After you find the DBA in Arlington County, you must then: - If it’s registered to an individual, verify the individual’s identity and run credit/background checks as appropriate to your credit policy. - If it’s registered to an LLC, corporation, or partnership, pull the current standing record from the Virginia Secretary of State. Confirm the entity is in good standing, that the officers/members listed match the applicant, and that there are no liens or suspensions. - Check the Virginia UCC filings for any liens or judgments against the entity or the individual.

The five-year renewal trap

Arlington County DBA filings expire. Most last for five years from the filing date. If a DBA is not renewed before expiration, it lapses, and the business can no longer legally operate under that name in Arlington County. This is especially important when you’re reviewing an older application or a business that has been operating for several years. Pull the DBA filing and verify the expiration date is in the future. If the DBA has lapsed, the business is not authorized to use that name in Arlington County, and you should flag it as a compliance risk.

When to pull a DBA vs. a Secretary of State record

A common question from underwriters: do I search for the business by DBA or by entity name? The answer depends on what the applicant gave you. If they gave you a business name and you’re not sure whether it’s a legal entity name or a trading name, start by searching the DBA records. If you find a match, you now have the legal entity name. If you don’t find a DBA, try the Virginia Secretary of State for a matching LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship registration. Applicants often give you the DBA first because that’s what’s on their signage and invoices. Your job is to work backward to the legal owner and verify that owner.

Bottom line

A DBA search in Arlington County is the starting point, not the finish line. The filing tells you the real owner behind the trading name. Once you have the owner’s name, verify the owner with Virginia state records, UCC filings, and credit checks. Never assume a DBA filing alone proves the business is legitimate or authorized to borrow. The DBA is a trading name; the legal entity is what you underwrite.