How to Look up an LLC in Texas? (Most Effective Method)

Before establishing an LLC in Texas, it is crucial to perform an LLC lookup to ensure that your desired business name is available for use. This initial step is essential before delving into the details of branding and marketing your business.

With extensive experience in business research and a thorough understanding of the LLC registration process, I’ve prepared an in-depth guide to look up an LLC in Texas.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to look up an LLC in Texas, along with some helpful tips.

Quick Summary

• To look up an LLC in Texas, use the Texas Business Entity Search provided by the Texas Secretary of State.
• The SOSDirect portal requires users to create an account and charges a $1 fee for each search.
• The Texas Secretary of State's comprehensive registry aids over 100,000 startups yearly in selecting unique LLC names, highlighting the state's competitive business environment.
• I advise to regularly check the availability of business names since it's crucial for startups to avoid potential legal complications.

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Texas Business Organizations Code

Overview of the Texas Business Organizations Code

The Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC) is a comprehensive set of laws that govern the formation, operation, and dissolution of business entities in Texas, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).

This code provides a structured framework that ensures businesses operate fairly and transparently, safeguarding the interests of shareholders, members, and the general public.

Administered by the Texas Secretary of State, the BOC is crucial for maintaining the integrity and efficiency of Texas business operations.

The Texas Secretary of State’s office is responsible for keeping detailed records of all business entities, ensuring compliance with the BOC and facilitating a competitive business environment in Texas.

How Do I Look Up an LLC in Texas?

To look up an LLC in Texas, you can utilize several methods, including browsing the Texas Secretary of State database, or else, perform a search by entity number or its executive name.

1. Texas Business Entity Search

You can use the Texas Business Entity Search to see if the name you want is available before submitting a request to reserve it [1]. Utilize the Texas Business Entity Search on the Texas Secretary of State's website, which facilitates over 10,000 monthly searches, to efficiently look up LLC availability in Texas.

The SOSDirect portal of the Texas Secretary of State allows you to look for corporate entities and see if a name is available. You must generate a username and password to create an account. Additionally, there is a $1 legally permitted cost for each search.

The best way to do an LLC name search is to enter the desired name, leaving off identifiers like "LLC" and all other boxes empty. This way, your search will return all entities with the same or comparable names.

You can also email the Texas Secretary of State and request them to look up various LLC names. They respond to emails pretty fast.

"The Texas Secretary of State replies to emails very quickly. You can send them an email and ask them to look up a few Limited Liability Company names."

- Matt Horwitz, Leading Authority in LLC education

2. Name Search

Finding a unique business name might seem complicated, but you can use the Texas Taxable Entity search widget to look up LLC names in Texas [2].

According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website, annually, over 100,000 startups utilize the Texas Taxable Entity search widget to ensure their chosen LLC names in Texas are unique, reflecting the competitive nature of business naming in the state.

Ensuring that your chosen name is available is crucial for establishing the legal right to transact business within the state.

The Texas Secretary of State website keeps a registry of all active and defunct business names since every limited liability company must submit a form with them.

Once you've chosen a name for your LLC, you do a business entity search for it to see whether it's already taken or needs to be tweaked a little so you have a unique name.

3. Entity Number

An entity number is given to each recognized corporate entity in Texas. You may search by entity number to locate a firm's formally registered name under which it does business in Texas.

4. Executive Name

Executives must be listed in the records of business companies. You may search for a company using the executive's name to discover whether they are also listed as executives for other companies.

If you try these options and nothing shows up, it's likely the name you seek is available. It's wise to double-check whether a possible name is available for usage.

Contact the Texas Secretary of State's office by phone or email for assistance. If they give you the go-ahead, your desired name will be available to secure.

If you need to change your current LLC name, read our article and learn the easiest way to rename an LLC in Texas.

How to Check If A Business Name Is Trademarked in Texas?

You can use a federal trademark check or a state trademark check to check if a business name is trademarked in Texas.

1. Using the USPTO

I learned the hard way that just because a name is available doesn't mean it's not trademarked. After my initial Texas search, I made sure to check for trademarks to avoid any legal issues later on.

Before authorizing an LLC name, the state doesn't look for trademarks.

Luckily, you can do a trademark search through the United States Patent and Trademark Office's website [3]. You’ll download and fill out a trademark search application form from the website.

You may contact the office by calling the state business information line, emailing, or paying to search the SOSDirect site.

Once you find that your name isn't trademarked yet, you can download and fill out form 901—Trademark Application—to register a trademark for your LLC name in Texas [4].

2. State Tradmark Check

Before filing a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it’s essential to conduct a state trademark check with the Texas Secretary of State.

This preliminary search helps you determine if a similar trademark is already registered in Texas, which could potentially prevent your application from being approved.

You can easily conduct a state trademark search online through the Texas Secretary of State’s website or by contacting their office directly. This step is crucial to avoid any legal complications and ensure your business name or logo is unique within the state.

To look up an LLC in Texas using the State Trademark Check, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Texas Secretary of State's website.
2. Navigate to the "Businesses" section, then look for a link related to "Business Search," "Business Entity Search," or a similar term. This section allows you to search for business entities registered in Texas, including LLCs.
3. Once you're in the search section, you may have the option to search by various criteria, such as the name of the LLC, the trademark name, or the file number if you have it.
4. If you're specifically interested in a trademark associated with the LLC, look for a search option that allows you to search the state's trademark records. This might be a separate search function from the general business entity search.
5. Enter the name of the LLC or the trademark you're interested in. Make sure to follow any instructions for how the search query should be formatted (e.g., exact match, partial name).

Related Articles:

• Top Registered Agents in Texas 
• Dissolving an LLC in Texas
• Series LLC in Texas
• Top LLC Formation Services in Texas

Reasons to Perform an LLC Search in Texas

Here are the main reasons why an LLC name search is essential:

• Due Diligence: To verify the existence and status of a business you're considering partnering with or investing in.
• Legal Compliance: To ensure your LLC name is unique and doesn't infringe on existing trademarks or business names in Texas.
• Market Research: To identify competitors or potential partners within a specific industry or geographic area.
• Litigation Purposes: To find legal information about an LLC, such as its registered agent or address, for serving legal documents.
• Acquisition or Merger: To evaluate the assets, liabilities, and overall standing of an LLC before proceeding with a business acquisition or merger.
• Financial Transactions: To assess the credibility and financial health of an LLC before engaging in loans, investments, or other financial relationships.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Check for potential trademark conflicts or ensure your business name or logo is not already in use.

Maintaining an LLC in Texas

1. Annual Reports and Filings

To maintain an LLC in Texas, business owners must file annual reports with the Texas Secretary of State.

These reports are essential for providing updated information about the LLC, including its business name, address, and registered agent.

The reports must be filed electronically through the SOSDirect website, and the current filing fee is $75.

In addition to annual reports, LLCs may also need to file other documents with the state, such as amendments to their certificate of formation or statements of change of registered agent.

Keeping up with these filings ensures that your LLC remains in good standing and compliant with Texas business regulations.

FAQs

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References

1. https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/index.shtml
2. https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/
3. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search
4. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15762-how-to-register-trademark-brand-name.html