Va. Code » Title 59.1. Trade and Commerce » Chapter 5. Transacting Business under Assumed Name
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-76 (2026)

Effect of failure to file certificate on right of action

✓ current as of May 2026
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The failure of any person or corporation to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall not prevent a recovery by or against such person or corporation, in any of the courts in this Commonwealth on any cause of action heretofore or hereafter arising, but no action shall be maintained in any of the courts in this Commonwealth by any such person, corporation or his or its assignee or successor in title unless and until the certificate required by this chapter has been filed.

Code 1950, § 59-176; 1968, c. 439.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1976–2016 · leading case: Bain v. Phillips, 228 S.E.2d 576 (Va. 1976).
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Bain v. Phillips, 228 S.E.2d 576 (Va. 1976). · cites it 2× “He testified categorically that he never advised Bain to initiate criminal proceedings against Phillips but that he merely suggested to Bain that he make Phillips’ failure to file the certificate an issue in the mechanic’s lien suit under the provisions of Code § 59.1-76, note 2…”
Transurban v. D'Arco, 92 Va. Cir. 285 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 2016). · cites it 6× “Phlegar involved a predecessor statute to Va. Code § 59.1-76, viz., Va. Code Ann. § 4722 (1) (1942).”
Precision Steel Mfg. Co. v. Vinales (In Re Vinales), 268 B.R. 749 (Bankr. W.D. Va. 2001). · cites it 5× “See Va.Code § 59.1-76. Section 59.1-76 does not render a cause of action illegal, it merely suspends the right to maintain it until the party has complied with the law.”
Moore v. N. Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc., 80 F.R.D. 278 (W.D. Va. 1978). · cites it 3× “” Va.Code § 59.1-76. This provision as earlier codified (Va.”
Minor v. Gal-Tenn Corp., 47 Va. Cir. 53 (Scott Cir. Ct. 1998). · cites it 6× “See Virginia Code § 59.1-76. Yet non-compliance is not an absolute bar to a party that attempts to bring a cause of action.”
Geographic Network Affiliates-Int'l, Inc. v. Enter. for Empowerment Found., 68 Va. Cir. 185 (Norfolk Cir. Ct. 2005). · cites it 2× “See Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-76 . Rise One’s registration to do business in Virginia was cancelled on December 31, 2004.”
Ferris Law Offices, P.C. v. Sonic-Manhattan Fairfax, Inc., 81 Va. Cir. 283 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 2010). · cites it 22× “Alternatively, Ferris argues that Va. Code § 59.1-76 is inapplicable here because Ferris properly registered the fictitious name “Ferris & Ferris, P.”
Bryant v. Rorer, 66 Va. Cir. 226 (Roanoke County Cir. Ct. 2004). · cites it 3× “Va. Code § 59.1-76. Faith, Inc., did not file a fictitious name certificate for the trade name Mostly Sofa’s with the Roanoke City Circuit Court Clerk’s Office as is required by § 59.”
Bio-Med. Applications of Arlington, Inc. v. Kenley, 5 Va. Cir. 159 (Arlington Cir. Ct. 1984). · cites it 7× “The defendants’ motion ignores the plain language of Va. Code § 59.1-76 and misapplies the clean hands doctrine.”
Purcellville Feed & Fertilizer v. Ferguson, 22 Va. Cir. 52 (Loudoun Cir. Ct. 1990). · cites it 2× “Section 59.1-76, Code of Virginia, as amended; Phlegar v.”
C. M. Prods. v. Milne, 3 Va. Cir. 4 (Alexandria Cir. Ct. 1980). “These cases are consistent with the language of § 59.1-76 of the Virginia Code which provides that ".”
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