About Us 
Important Notice
The Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in the Commonwealth of Virginia is not a requirement for obtaining SWaM certification; however, it is a legal requirement for Non-Virginia businesses that are transacting business in the Commonwealth. Non-Virginia businesses seeking SWaM certification can apply without submitting the Certificate of Authority, but are strongly encouraged to obtain the Certificate prior to transacting business in Virginia. The Certificate of Authority to Transact Business is obtained through the State Corporation Commission. For more information, visit www.scc.virginia.gov or call 804.371.9967 or toll-free at 1.800.552.7945.
Welcome
Welcome to the Virginia Department of Minority Business website! We hope you find the information we are providing you to be helpful and of value to your business.
The mission of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (“DMBE”) is to promote access to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contracting opportunities and ensure fairness in the procurement process. We are the state agency dedicated to enhancing the participation of our small, women- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia’s procurement process.
DMBE administers two certification programs: the Small, Women- and Minority-owned Businesses under Virginia’s “SWaM” Procurement Initiative, and the federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Program. DMBE also provides management and technical support to our certified businesses through one-on-one business development and procurement advocacy.
DMBE has three key goals: (1) increase the number of certified businesses in the Commonwealth, (2) increase the total amount of state expenditures with SWaM vendors, and (3) increase the total number of contracts awarded to SWaM vendors.
For more information on the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, click "About Us."
SWaM Certification
Certification as a Small, Women- or Minority-owned Business is free! The steps towards becoming SWaM-certified are:
1: Complete the on-line application;
2: Sign and date the printed application;
3: Mail the application AND proof of the business owner's identification to DMBE; and
4: Submit the required supporting documents.
Avoid delays by submitting all of the required supporting documents. If you are unable to obtain all of your documents initially, you may submit the signed application and proof of the business owner’s identification and receive a temporary, 30-day certification. Failure to submit the outstanding documents will result in the expiration of your certification.
Click on the highlighted links above for more information or click here for a summary of the process.
News You Can Use
- Customer Care Operator is now available! For information about SWaM Certification, the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program, or to check the status of your application, please contact DMBE’s Customer Care Specialist at 804.786.6585 or call the main number at 804.786-5560 and press option 1, Certification Inquiries.
- Latest Changes to the SWaM Certification Program. Applicants to the SWaM Certification Program should note the changes to the Program. Click here for more information.
- Update Your Email Address or Contact Information Today! It is very important to keep your contact information—especially your email address—up to date because state buyers may be trying to contact you. You don’t want to miss a business opportunity because of an invalid email address or telephone number. Submit your changes to the DMBE Customer Care Specialist electronically at dmbe@dmbe.virginia.gov or call 804.786.6585.