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How to Name Your LLC in Texas

Learn how to conduct a Texas Secretary of State business search and register your LLC name.

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Whether you’re searching for the right Texas business name or registering your LLC name with the Texas Secretary of State (SOS), we can help. We’ve got all the information you need to conduct a Texas business search, plus naming rules, fictitious names and trademarks.


General Rules for LLC Names

These rules usually apply to all LLCs, regardless of the state they're formed in.

01

Your LLC Name Must Be Unique

The business name you select cannot be in use by any other corporation or LLC in the state. This is why it's so important to perform a Texas Secretary of State business search before you begin your formation paperwork.

02

Your LLC Name Must Not Be Confusable with Another Business Name

It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It also cannot be similar to the name of another LLC or corporation in the state. In addition, you cannot use any of the following features in an attempt to differentiate your business name from that of another business:


  • Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc.

  • Definite articles, such as “A,” “An,” or “The”

  • The conjunction "And," or “&"

  • The singular, plural or possessive forms of words

  • Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
  • 03

    Your LLC Name Must Contain Certain Words

    All LLCs must use one of the following in their names, usually at the end of the name: “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC.”

    04

    Your LLC Name May Be Subject to Other General Restrictions

    Most states will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:


    • Are similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Rangers, Treasury, etc.)
    • Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
    • Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
    • Imply a purpose that would be illegal for your business to carry out

    Specific Rules for Texas Business Names

    In addition to the general rules listed above, you'll need to follow some Texas LLC laws that apply to naming your business. For example, some words are restricted by Texas Administrative Code § 79.34:


    (a) Where prohibited by § 16.105 of the Texas Business & Commerce Code, an entity name cannot include the words, "Olympic," "Olympiad," or "Citius Altius Fortius," or a combination or simulation of those words or use a trademark, trade name, symbol or insignia of the International Olympic Committee or the United States Olympic Committee without the authorization or permission of the United States Olympic Committee. Example: Olympic Tours, Inc. would require a letter of consent, authorization, or no objection from the United States Olympic Committee.


    (b) Where prohibited by § 31.005 and § 181.004 of the Texas Finance Code, an entity name cannot include the words "bank," "bank and trust," "trust," "trust company" or a similar term, phrase, or foreign language word unless accompanied by a no objection letter from the Banking Commissioner.


    (c) Where prohibited by § 61.313 of the Texas Education Code, an entity name cannot include the words "College," "University," "School of Medicine," "Medical School," "Health Science Center," "School of Law," "Law Center," or "Law School," whether in English or in another language, unless accompanied by a no objection letter from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.


    (d) Where prohibited by § 5.062 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, an entity name cannot include the words "Veteran," "Legion," "Foreign," "Spanish," "Disabled," "War," or "World War" if the name implies the entity is created for the benefit of war veterans and their families, without written approval issued from a veterans organization pursuant to § 5.062 of the Texas Business Organizations Code.

    Coming Up with the Ideal Business Name

    The perfect business name can be elusive. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:

    • Appeal to your customer
    • Be memorable enough to stand out
    • Best represent your product or services
    • Not be used by another business

    Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free name generator.

    Texas Business Entity Search

    Once you have an idea of the name you want, you’ll need to perform a Texas business search to make sure another company isn't already using that name.


    You can use Texas SOSDirect, the state's online portal, to perform a name search. The Texas SOS charges a fee of $1.00 per search. You can also use our simple and convenient Business Name Search tool, which will search the California Secretary of State registry for you.

    Use Bizee’s Free Tool to Find Out Whether Your Preferred Name is Available for Your LLC in Texas

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    Trademarks and Service Marks

    You must be careful that your Texas LLC name doesn't infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to ensure you're in the clear is to perform a trademark search through Bizee. If the trademark isn't already in use, you can even register it yourself.

    Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.

    Let Bizee run a trademark search for you.

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    Texas DBA or Assumed Name

    You may do business under a name different from your LLC's legal name. While many states refer to this as a trade name, fictitious name, or "doing business as" (DBA), Texas calls it an assumed name. You may decide to use a Texas assumed name for a variety of reasons.


    For example, your primary business may be called Texas Alternative Energy Company, LLC, and you have a chain called Residential Solar Power Systems. You could register an assumed name just for that brand. You'd do that with the Assumed Name Certificate form, or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf with our DBA service.


    Important: While your LLC cannot use a name already registered by another business, multiple businesses can use the same assumed name. In order to keep your business name unique, you can also use Texas SOSDirect. For a fee of $1.00 per search, you can perform a Texas assumed name search to find out whether any other companies are already using the assumed name you want. We can also help you with this via our DBA name service.


    Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.

    Register and Manage a Fictitious Name or DBA Name Through Our Easy-To-Use Service

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    DBA

    Register Your Business Name with the Texas SOS

    You’ve performed a Texas Secretary of State business search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and determined whether you need a fictitious name. Now you can register your LLC name in one of two ways.

    Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Texas for You — And We’ll Do It for Free!

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    FAQs About Naming Your Texas LLC

    01

    How Do I Search for My Texas Business Name?

    Use our free Business Name Search Tool and enter your chosen business name. You can also perform a search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether any corporations or LLCs in the state are already using that name.

    02

    Are There Any Rules for Naming My LLC in Texas?

    Yes. Most LLCs will be bound by general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the state of California). We’ve detailed these rules above.

    03

    Can I Do Business in Texas Under a Name Different From My LLC Name?

    Yes. You can conduct business under an assumed name. Details are above.

    04

    Can I Reserve a Name for My LLC in Texas?

    Yes. The Texas SOS allows you to reserve a name if you're not ready to start your business immediately. Details are above. If you do want to start your business right away, you don't need to reserve a name.

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