The first step in forming a Texas LLC is to do a Texas LLC search with the Texas Secretary of State. This confirms that your selected LLC name is not currently in use by another company.
On the Secretary of State’s website, you may do a Texas business entity search. Simply type your preferred LLC name into the Business Filings Search page. If it’s accessible, you’ll receive a notice saying “No records found.”
Texas LLC Name Lookup
1. Adhere to the Texas Naming Guidelines
Before finishing your Texas entity search for a limited liability company, be sure your business name complies with the requirements.
The first step in establishing your Texas LLC is to choose a business name for your company. Make certain that the name you chose conforms with Texas naming rules and is readily searched by prospective customers.
Please adhere to the following naming guidelines:
The word “limited liability corporation” or one of its acronyms must be in your name (LLC or L.L.C.).
Your LLC’s name cannot include terms that may be confused with a government organization (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Restricted terms (e.g., bank, attorney, university) may need extra documentation and the participation of a licensed professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, in your LLC.
2. Conduct a Texas Business Entity Lookup
You may utilize the Texas Business Entity Search to confirm the availability of your selected name before completing your name reservation request.
A countrywide search using the US Patent and Trademark Office’s database is possible, but not needed.
The Texas Secretary of State’s online search engine enables you to look for firms by name, filing number, or registered agent.
You may also use the county clerk’s or municipal secretary’s office website to search for companies in a given county or city.
To conduct the most effective search, enter the desired name, eliminating identifiers such as “LLC,” and leave all other fields blank. This will return any entities with names that are the same or similar. If your company name consists of many words, you may limit your search to the first two words to guarantee that you find all potential comparable names.
To prevent rejection and remain in accordance with the Texas administrative code, undertake a comprehensive search before completing your firm formation forms.
3. Look for Available Domain Names
Another key factor to consider when naming your limited liability corporation is whether or not your selected web domain name is available. It is critical to have a URL that properly reflects your company name. This apparently little activity may have a significant impact on how potential clients locate your company.
Other Factors to Consider
The Texas Comptroller mandates that your LLC name be distinct from that of other registered businesses in the state. It is a good idea to do more research before submitting your petition.
You should ensure that your LLC name (or one very similar to it) is not being used by unregistered firms such as sole proprietorships or partnerships, that it has not been trademarked by another company in your state or industry, and that it is otherwise accessible for use on the internet. This will assist guarantee that you have complete and unlimited usage of your company name.
To do business, you’ll also need a company bank account and a registered agent address to fulfill service of process requirements.
Search for a Trademark
Before registering your company name and related slogans or emblems, do a trademark search to avoid potential expensive lawsuits. The discovery that another entity has trademarked your company name does not immediately exclude you from utilizing it.
However, it is critical to understand who is using the name, what sector they are in, and where they are situated in order to avoid unwittingly infringing on anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To finish this step:
Create an account on the Texas Secretary of State website and log in to discover whether your company name or related slogans, logos, or others are already in use by another firm in your state.
Search the digitized records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for any federally registered trademarks linked with your company name.
Search on Social Media
Finding a domain name that matches your company is just as vital, if not more important, than ensuring that your business name is accessible for usage across social networking platforms. You may do this by simply Googling your company name on each major website, or by using a service like Namecheckr to scan across all platforms at once.
Bank Account for a Company
A business bank account is required to do business in your LLC or assumed name.
You’ll need to do a Texas business entities search when you’re ready to create a business bank account. The search will indicate if there are any limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations, s-corporations, and so on with your selected LLC name in the state of Texas.
To find your company entity, visit the Texas Comptroller’s website and click on “Search for a Business.” You’ll be able to search by file number or name. If you don’t know the file number, you may get it from the county clerk’s office where your firm is registered.
It should be noted that, unlike other states, Texas prohibits firms from using the same LLC or corporation name as another business organization. In Texas, even registering a DBA or fictitious name (Assumed Name Certificate) requires a double check to ensure that it is not already in use by another organization.
Registered Representative
If you’re forming a company in Texas, you’ll need to choose a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or company that agrees to take service of process on your LLC’s behalf. If your LLC is ever sued, the court documents will be served on your registered agent.
The Texas Secretary of State has a database of all registered business names in the state. To discover the registered agent for any Texas firm, browse the Texas Secretary of State database.
When naming a registered agent for your LLC, you should choose someone who is trustworthy and simple to reach. You may nominate yourself, a friend, or a family member as registered agent, or you can employ a professional registered agent service.
In conclusion
Choosing a name for your company is a vital first step in forming a successful LLC, and it is a simple process. Once you’ve discovered your desired name using Texas’ Business Entity Search, you’ll want to obtain your domain name so that your customers can locate you online. Having your name reserved with the Texas Secretary of State can help you stand out from the crowd. After you’ve obtained your name, you’ll be ready to take the following steps to create your LLC.