Register an LLC in Texas
Start a Texas LLC by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State for $310.
Use our free tool to do it yourself, or hire us and have your LLC filed with Privacy by Default® for $39. This includes a free domain name, web hosting, email address, phone line, brand protection, and a year of registered agent service.
Para nuestros clientes dueños de negocio de habla hispana, tenemos representantes listos para ayudarles a comprender los formularios estatales y resolver sus preguntas, puede llamarnos al (509) 267-1307.
Texas Certificate of Formation
Use our free tool to fill out your Texas Certificate of Formation right here. We’ll walk you through it.
How to Form an LLC in Texas
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide free identity services to anyone who needs them—that’s a domain name, website, phone line, email address, and brand protection on day one. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
Choosing an LLC name is both a legal requirement and a core part of your business identity. A good company name should be easy to read, memorable, and flexible enough to grow with you over time. It’s also smart to check that your preferred name is available as a domain so you can secure a matching website and build a consistent online presence from the start.
Texas LLC Name Rules
Your LLC name must:
- Include an indicator like Limited Liability Company or LLC.
- Not include words or abbreviations that suggest your LLC is something it’s not, such as “LP,” “Corporation,” “Police Department,” or “Insurance Agency.”
- Be suitably distinct from the names of any other Texas businesses.
The complete naming guidelines are listed in Texas Business Organizations Code § 79:30-46.
Reserve Your Business Name
If you’d like to reserve a business name before forming your company, you can submit the Application for Reservation or Renewal of Reservation of an Entity Name and pay the $40 filing fee. Name reservations are valid for 120 days and can be renewed for an additional 120 days.
File by Mail:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
File Online:
TX SOS Portal
2. Register your Domain Name
Next up, you’ll want to secure a domain name for your website. Not planning to start a business website right away? Reserving a domain is still a good idea.
Picture this: you do business for a while as an LLC and start to make a name for yourself under your registered business name. Then, you decide you’re ready to make a website, only to discover that all the domain names that would match your business name are already taken. Now you either have to re-brand or get a website domain that doesn’t match your business name.
On the other hand, if you get a domain at the same time as your LLC, you can make sure your business name and domain name match from the start.
With Northwest, you get your first domain for free, along with other free identity services to establish a professional brand with Privacy by Default®.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
A Texas registered agent accepts legal notifications (including service of process) on behalf of your business. State law requires you to appoint a registered agent in Texas.
But choosing a registered agent is more than just a legal requirement. It’s a crucial decision. If you’re served with a lawsuit, it’s important that you can respond fast. Your registered agent must 1.) be present at their registered office address during normal business hours to accept service of process, and 2.) forward any state and legal notices to you without delay.
When Northwest is your registered agent, we provide:
- Same-day scans of all state and legal mail.
- Free address use on public forms for privacy.
- Privacy guaranteed. Your data is never sold.
- Compliance reminders so you never risk a late fee.
Learn more about our Texas registered agent service.
4. File Certificate of Formation
With a business name and domain locked down, it’s time to file a Texas Certificate of Formation (LLC) and a $300 fee with the Texas Secretary of State. If paying by credit card, you’ll also be charged a 2.7% convenience fee, bringing your total to $310. After filing the Certificate of Formation, you will have officially created your LLC in Texas.
You can file your forms with the Texas Secretary of State online through SOS Portal, or by mail at:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
Note: When filing by mail, you must include your original Certificate of Formation plus a duplicate copy. Once the state receives your documents, the duplicate form will be stamped and returned to you.
You’ll need to provide the following information:
Company Name
Remember to double check that the name is unique in Texas, or your Certificate of Formation will be denied.
Registered Agent Information
At minimum, your registered agent must list a physical Texas address on the public record and be available to accept legal mail during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
You can be your own registered agent if you want, but the downside is that you’ll have to use own name and address on your Certificate of Formation, which will be made public. The other option is hiring a registered agent service, like Northwest. This ensures that you can live more privately with your LLC while still having clear protections.
Governing Authority
The governing authority for your LLC is all initial managers (if your LLC is manager-managed) or initial members (if your LLC is member-managed). You’ll need to include a street or mailing address for each member/manager, which will be public information. When you hire us to form your LLC, we can put our address in these fields.
Initial Mailing Address
This is the address where the state will send franchise tax and public information report notices. Your mailing address can be a P.O. box or street address, and it doesn’t need to be in Texas. When you hire us, we can put our address here.
Organizer
Your company organizer is the person who files the Certificate of Formation for your business. For example, if you file yourself, that’s your info. If you hire us to form your business, it’s ours. The personal information listed here goes on the public record.
Effective Date
You must choose when you want your LLC to come into being. Most people select “The document becomes effective when the document is filed by the secretary of state.”
Signature
Your company organizer must sign and date the Certificate of Formation. An e-signature is acceptable when filing online.
Supplemental Provisions (Optional)
You can include any additional information about your LLC, such as a specific business purpose, ownership rights, or management information.
Note: To start a Texas Series LLC, you’ll need to submit a supplemental Series LLC provision.
5. Create an Operating Agreement
Your LLC’s operating agreement is the operating system of your business. It spells out your LLC’s rules for financial contributions, management roles, voting rights, and other responsibilities of LLC members.
Check out our free attorney-drafted Texas LLC operating agreement template.
6. Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a number the IRS assigns businesses for tax purposes, similar to a Social Security Number. Any LLC with employees (or more than one member) must obtain an EIN, but even single-member LLCs with no employees may need an EIN to open a business bank account. Plus, without an EIN, you have to use your personal Social Security Number when doing business.
There’s no fee to get an EIN from the IRS, and you can get one fast by applying online. However, if you don’t have a Social Security Number, you’ll have to send a physical Form SS-4. Alternatively, you can hire us to get an EIN for you.
7. File Public Information Report
After forming your LLC, you’ll eventually need to file the Public Information Report (PIR). All Lone Star State LLCs must file the report with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts every year on May 15, and may do so online or by mail.
The main purpose of the PIR is to update the state on your business contact information. If your business makes over $2.65 million per year, you’ll also need to pay the Texas franchise tax.
Ready to Start Your Texas LLC?
We'll get it done for $39 + state fees.