How to Create a Business Named Business in Texas

Video: How to Name Your Business in Texas - 3 Steps to a Great Business Name

Content

Steps
Tips
What do you need

Starting a business requires you to choose a name, logo, and organizational structure. In order to officially name your business, in addition to your legal name, you must register it in the county and / or state where you plan to do business. The title is sometimes associated with “assigning a business name” or “building a business” (DBA). Location and registration costs depend on your location. For example, in Texas, a sole proprietor may only need to register once per county, while a corporation may need to register in a number of counties. Read on to find out how to create a Texas DBA.

Steps

1 Determine your type of business. The organizational structure of your business is determined by where you must register the certificate with the name of the business. The following are the rules in the state of Texas:
- If you have a sole proprietorship or partnership, you must file a certificate in the county where the company is located. If you do not have an official location for your business, DBAs must be filed in all counties where you do business.
- If you have a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited liability partnership (LLP), you must file a certificate in the county where the business is registered and with the Texas State Secretariat.
- If you are part of an LLC or LLP and want to do business without placing the letters "LLC" or "LLP" at the end of the company name, this also counts as a business name. You must register with both the county and government agencies.
2 Contact the clerk of the district court where your business is located, or visit the website. Most clerks in a Texas court have a website where you can download the required forms to obtain a corporate name. You will find information for assigning business names in the "Business" section of the website.
3 Search for Suggested Items. The clerk (clerk) of the court on the site should have a service that allows you to enter the name you provided and search for any businesses that already operate under this name. If you do business in more than 1 county, you should also contact the Texas Secretary of State to search for an available company name.
- You can also submit a written request form to the county to find business names that have already been submitted. The cost is usually between $ 5 and $ 10.
- The DBA does not reserve the name. There can be more than 1 person registered under a specific name. If you want to make sure that you are the only one with a brand name, you must reserve the name and register a trademark. This is a separate systematization of the state and the district.
4 Find printed applications for "certifications for a brand name". In some cases, you can fill out a form on the website. You can also visit the court clerk during office hours and request the form in person.
5 Fill out the form for the name of the company. You must include the business name, address, personal details and addresses of all people who plan to do business under the name and social security number or employee identification number (TIN). Click the "Submit" button or print the form.
6 Visit the court clerk to sign the form and pay the registration fee. If you submitted the form online, they will have a copy of the form, but you must still sign the form and pay the fee. The cost to apply for a county-level certificate is about $ 15 in most counties in Texas.
- You can also print and sign the form with a notary. The cost of filing a form is less, approximately $ 8 to $ 10. The notary will most likely charge a service fee.
- If your form is certified by a notary, you can send it to the office. If you choose to pay by personal check, you must submit a photocopy of your photo ID.
7 Wait 1 to 4 weeks to receive the proposed company name certificate in the mail. It will be valid for 10 years unless otherwise stated. Keep this record handy whenever you need it for certain business transactions, such as opening a bank account.
8 Registration is done in the manner required by the counties, according to your type of business.
9 Registration of a certificate with a company name is done by the Texas Secretary of State if you have a corporation, LLC or LLP. The service is available in the "Business and Public Documents" section. The company that launches the registration process is called the SOS referral.
10 Check the availability of your business name. You can search online, by phone, fax, email, or written request.
- You can check on the toll free line 512-463-5555 or email [email protected].
- You have to pay $ 5 for a search by fax 512-463-5709. There is a $ 5 fee for searching by written request at: Corporate Department, Secretary of State, PO Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711. There is a $ 1 fee for searching the Internet using a direct SOS link.
11 Download and print Form 503. Complete an application with a suggested name, legal name, address, business registration information, type of business and county. Sign and date the form.
12 Pay the $ 25 registration fee. If you pay with a personal check, you must submit a photocopy of your photo ID. Payments can also be made in the form of money transfers, credit cards or debit cards.
13 Submit the form to the Secretary of State at: Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-369. You can also fax the form to 512 463-570 and pay the registration fee separately. Wait 1 to 4 weeks to get certified.

Tips

Some online legal services offer the ability to submit DBA forms for you. The cost of these services is usually more than the amount of the fees.
If a proposed Texas brand name already exists in the county in which you do business, court clerks on the site will ask you to consider a different name. This will allow you to create a trademark and avoid legal problems with your business in the future.