Texas business search
Texas's official business search is SOSPortal, run by the Texas Secretary of State. You can search by name or file number.
Search Texas recordsSOSPortal needs an account and charges $1 per search; the Texas Comptroller's Franchise Tax Account Status search is free.
How to check if a name is taken in Texas
- Type the main words of the name into the search. Leave off endings like LLC or Inc.
- Look for exact matches and close ones. States usually refuse a name that only differs by punctuation, spacing or the ending.
- If nothing close comes up, run a free trademark search. A state accepting your name doesn't give you the right to use it as a brand.
LLC name endings in Texas
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, L.L.C., L.C., Limited Company, Ltd Company, Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
Texas charges $300 to form an LLC and $300 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in Texas, or a Texas DBA if you only need a trade name.
Texas business search questions
Is the Texas business search free?
Not entirely. SOSPortal needs an account and charges $1 per search; the Texas Comptroller's Franchise Tax Account Status search is free.
Does searching reserve a name in Texas?
No. A search only shows what's on record today. The name is yours once your filing is accepted, and most states also let you pay to hold a name for a set time.
Can I see who owns a Texas LLC?
The record shows what Texas requires a company to file, which is often its registered agent and sometimes its managers or members. Many states don't list owners at all.