Texas LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Texas?
You can use the Texas Taxable Entity Search tool to see if your business name is available.
You can also call the Texas Secretary of State at (512) 463-5555 or email them at for a preliminary name availability screening.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in a Texas LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Texas LLC names cannot imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include the words “lotto” or “lottery,” or imply that the LLC was created by or for the benefit of war veterans or their families.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Texas Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Texas requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Texas Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Texas?
Texas doesn't require LLCs to renew their legal name, but assumed names must be renewed every 10 years with the Secretary of State.
You can renew online or via hard copy. The filing fee is $25.
Learn more about assumed names with our Texas DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Texas?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or an assumed name in Texas.
In Texas, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about assumed names with our Texas DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Texas DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Texas from the dropdown menu.
Commonly Used Web Browsers
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 855, which requires state agencies to publish a list of the three most commonly used web browsers on their websites. The Texas Comptroller's most commonly used web browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox.
Posted by: Apr 22, 2020
Texas has specific rules requiring you to use a unique name when you set up a new business.
The strict naming rules that Texas used to have were loosened in 2018.
However, you still have to make sure your business name is distinguishable from the names of other Texas businesses.
Checking business name availability is an important step in the business formation process. Your business formation lawyer can help you with this, as well as all other aspects of forming your business.
There are three main ways to check business name availability in Texas.
Call
You can call State Business Information at 512-463-5555. They are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
You can email the Texas Secretary of State at and request that they check name availability.
Online Database
You can also run an online search through the Texas Comptroller’s taxable entity search or through the Secretary of State’s SOS Direct site. The taxable entity search is free, but SOS Direct charges $1 per search.
Other Options
You can also check Texas business name availability by fax or regular mail, but each of these options costs $5 and takes longer than a phone, email, or database search.
Preparing to Check Business Name Availability in Texas
Before you check the availability of a business name in Texas, you should be sure that your proposed name complies with the requirements of Texas law.
Identifies the Type of Business Entity
Your business name must include a word that indicates the type of business entity it is. The Texas Business Organizations Code lists the words that may be used to identify each type of entity.
- Corporation: “company,” “incorporated,” “corporation,” or “limited.”
- Limited partnership: “limited” or “limited partnership.”
- Limited liability company: “limited liability company” or “limited company.”
- Cooperative association: “cooperative.”
- Professional association: “associated,” “associates,” “association,” or “professional association.”
- Professional limited liability company: “professional limited liability company.”
Abbreviations of these words are also permitted. For example, the name of a limited liability company could use the abbreviation “LLC” or “Ltd. Co.” You can choose whether to use periods in your abbreviation.
Distinguishable Name
The name of your company must be distinguishable from the name of another company. This requires at least one key word in the name to be different.
The following examples would not be considered distinguishable:
- Adding different articles or conjunctions (Fun Zone and The Fun Zone),
- Using a different business designation (Fun Zone, LLC, and Fun Zone, Inc),
- Changing the spelling of a word but not the meaning (Pizza Express and Pizza Xpress), and
- Adding punctuation, spaces, or capitalization that don’t change the meaning (The Fat Cow and The FAT Cow; Fun Zone and Fun Zone!)
On the other hand, the following would make a name distinguishable:
- Switching the order of names (Pizza Pie and Pie Pizza),
- Using a different form of the word (Pizza Producers and Pizza Products),
- Using the same words in a different language (The Fat Cow and La Vaca Gorda), and
- Using words that sound the same but have a different meaning (The Prickly Pear and The Prickly Pair).
If you have a question about whether your proposed name would be distinguishable from an existing business name under the rules, consult a Texas business attorney.
Permitted Characters
Business names may use:
- Arabic numerals,
- Roman letters, and
- These symbols: “ ! ‘ ? = + – $ % # * @ [ ] / () &
You can use both uppercase and lowercase letters, but superscript characters are not recognized.
Word Restrictions
There are certain words you can’t use in your business name or that you can use only with approval from a designated entity.
Prohibited words include:
- Lottery or lotto,
- Words implying that the business is part of the state or federal government,
- Grossly offensive words, and
- Words that imply the business engages in illegal activity.
A number of words require approval. For example:
- Veteran, foreign, disabled, Spanish, legion, war, world war, and other words implying that the business helps veterans or their families must be approved by an appropriate veteran’s organization;
- Bank, trust, bank and trust, trust company, and other similar words require written authorization by the Texas Banking Commissioner;
- University, college, medical school, health science center, school of medicine, school of law, law school, and law center require written authorization from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and
- Olympic, olympiad, and citius altius fortius require written authorization from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Words relating to professions that require licensing—engineers, architects, surveyors, etc.—may also be restricted. For example, to use the word “engineer” in your business name, you need to have a licensed engineer associated with the business.
Can a Lawyer Help You Check Texas Business Name Availability?
Adam Curley, the experienced business formation attorney at the Curley Law Firm, can help you with every aspect of your business formation. This includes choosing a compliant business name and checking the availability of the business name in Texas.
Adam has experience forming both small and large businesses and can help you get your new business off to a strong start. Call or fill out a form online to schedule a consultation today.
The information in this post is updated periodically by the law firm SEO folks at Juris Digital in order to enhance relevancy and usefulness.