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Texas · Name search and rules

Texas LLC name search

How to check if your name is free in Texas, the words you must use, the words you can't, and how to hold a name while you prepare.

Last verified 2026-11-01 against official Texas sources

Short answer: The LLC name must contain a proper designator.

We've pulled these figures from the Texas Secretary of State's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.

Texas naming rules

The LLC name must contain a proper designator.

Open the official Texas name search

Reserving a name

Texas lets you reserve a name for $40, which holds it for 120 days.

Doing business under another name

Texas DBAs are filed with: state. Fee: $25.

How Texas compares

Texas's name reservation fee is $40. That's the 10th highest of 50 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $25, so Texas runs $15 above it.

Texas and nearby states, name reservation fee. See all 50 jurisdictions.
StateFeeNational rank (1 = highest)
Texas$4010 of 50
Oklahoma$1041 of 50
Louisiana$2518 of 50
Kansas$3013 of 50
Arkansas$22.531 of 50
Mississippi$2518 of 50

Texas fees that apply here

Source: Texas Secretary of State, checked November 1, 2026.
FilingState feeNotes
Certificate of Formation (Form 205)$300Filers using the online SOSPortal will incur a mandated convenience fee of 2.7% plus $0.25, bringing the total to approximately $308.
Name reservation (optional)$40120 days
Amendment$150
DBA / assumed name$25state

Name search and rules: Texas questions

How do I check if an LLC name is available in Texas?

Use the official Texas Secretary of State business search. A name that's distinguishable from existing records can usually be registered.

What words must a Texas LLC name include?

The LLC name must contain a proper designator.

Can I reserve an LLC name in Texas?

Yes. Reservation costs $40 and holds the name for 120 days.

Do I need a DBA in Texas?

Only if you'll do business under a name other than your exact LLC name. DBAs are filed with: state. Fee: $25.

Sources and verification

Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.

Still being confirmed with the state: dissolution.fee, ra.change fee, report.dissolution note.