STAUNTON – Augusta County Clerk of Circuit Court R. Steven Landes, announced today there will be a change to one of the key steps in starting a business in Augusta County in 2020. As of January 1, 2020, new business based in Augusta County must register their fictitious business or trade name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The Augusta County Clerk of the Circuit Court will no longer accept new certificates of assumed or fictitious names.
The new requirement is a result of an amendment to the Code of Virginia, Chapter 59.1-69 adopted by the 2019 Virginia General Assembly. The Augusta County Clerk of the Circuit Court will continue to accept fillings for cancellations of certificates if the original certificate was filed in Augusta County.
“The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has enjoyed working with residents who launched a business in Augusta County and assisting them with the filing of their business name applications,” said Landes. “I fully expect that the Virginia State Corporation Commission will offer the same level of service that my office has offered Augusta residents.”
More information about fictitious names and the legal process for businesses is posted on the State Corporation Commission website at www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/begin.aspx. More information about the services of the Augusta County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office can be found online at www.co.augusta.va.us/government/circuitcourt-clerk.
Steve Landes was sworn in as the 17th Clerk of Circuit Court for the County of Augusta after winning a Special Election in November 2019. The Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is in downtown Staunton at the Augusta County Courthouse. The Clerk serves as the recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator for all civil and criminal cases. In this latter capacity, the Clerk creates and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts jurors and issues summons and court processes.