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Julia RittenbergContributor
Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.
Kelly MainStaff Reviewer
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
Julia Rittenberg,
Julia RittenbergContributor
Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.
Kelly Main
Kelly MainStaff Reviewer
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
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Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
Reviewed
Brette Sember, J.D.
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Updated: Nov 30, 2023, 4:09pm
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Table of Contents
- What Is a Business Entity?
- Search by Name
- Search by Entity Number
- Search by Executive Name
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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When you’re ready to start a business in Texas, there are a few important steps to take. Before registering your paperwork with the state, you have to make sure your chosen business name is available. Texas offers a free Taxable Entity Search page for fast and easy lookup.
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What Is a Business Entity?
A business entity is a catch-all term for a type of business. A sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC and corporation are all examples of business entities.
Starting a Business in Texas
Registering a business in the state of Texas means submitting paperwork with the Texas Secretary of State. If you’re starting a sole proprietorship and don’t plan on scaling up, you won’t have to start filing paperwork with the state. However, if you plan on creating any other business type, you’ll have to form an official business entity with the state.
Forming an LLC in Texas
An LLC is a limited liability company and is a very common type of business entity in Texas. To form an LLC in Texas, you have to pick a unique name that includes Limited Liability Company, LLC or L.L.C. in the title that is not already being used in Texas.
You will need to file a certificate of formation, with a $300 fee, with the Secretary of State.You also need a registered agent in the state of Texas to receive legal and business documentation on your behalf.
Search by Name
Coming up with an original name can seem daunting, but you can search by LLC name in the state of Texas using our search widget. Since every LLC has to be filed with the Texas Secretary of State, they maintain a list of all business names, active and dissolved. When you decide on a business name, you can search for that exact name to see if it’s available or if it needs to be altered.
Search by Entity Number
Every official business entity in Texas is also assigned an entity number. A business name might be the doing-business-as (DBA) name of a business, so you can search by entity number to find the officially registered name.
Search by Executive Name
Business entities also need to have executives listed in their records. You can find a business in search with the executive name and see if they’re listed as executives for any other businesses as well.
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Bottom Line
When you need to name your business, it’s important to be adaptable to whatever is available. Creating an original name is easier when you have a sense of what’s already out there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I look up an LLC in Texas?
If you have the business name, the business entity number or the executive name with our search function. All of this information has to be registered with the state for a business entity.
How can I verify a company is registered in Texas?
The company has to be registered with the state, so you can search by the name, entity number or executive name. If you can’t find it in the Texas search, the business might be registered in another state, so you can use our other state search widgets to find it.
How do you get an LLC in Texas?
Start off by finding a unique name for your business, making sure to follow the naming requirements. Hire a registered agent and get your formation documents filed with the state. Use the IRS website to obtain a unique employer identification number (EIN) and consider writing up an operating agreement to make sure all parties involved in management of the company are on the same page.
How do I add a DBA to a Texas LLC?
Go to the online business services portal (SOSDirect) and sign in. Access the Assumed Name Certificate and complete the form. You will need to pay the $25 DBA fee to add the DBA to the LLC’s approved name list.
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