The Texas Secretary of State, Corporation Division, handles the formation and organization of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) in Texas.

Information on forming a Texas LLC can be found at the Texas Secretary of State homepage.

Who Can be Part of a Texas LLC?

A limited liability company consists of one or more members which may be individuals, partnerships, limited partnerships, trusts, estates, associations, corporations, other limited liability companies or other business entities.

Does Texas recognize single member limited liability companies?

The Texas Secretary of State will approve single-member LLCs.

What do I have to do to form a limited liability company?

A domestic limited liability company must complete and file Articles of Organization with the Texas Secretary of State and pay the required filing fee.

Do corporations and limited liability companies file annual reports with the Secretary of State?

Corporations and limited liability companies (whether Texas or foreign) do not file annual reports with the Texas Secretary of State. However, limited liability companies are subject to state franchise taxes and are required to file an annual franchise tax return.

How long does the Secretary of State Office take to process my LLC formation documents?

It typically takes approximately 20 days for the Texas Secretary of State's Office to process LLC Articles of Organization and other LLC formation documents.

Texas LLC Name Requirements

State the name of the limited liability company. The name of a limited liability company must contain the term or abbreviation “limited liability company”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.”, “ltd. liability co.”, “limited”, “llc”, “l.l.c.”, or “ltd.”

The Texas Secretary of State's office cannot file a document which contains a name that falsely implies governmental affiliation.

How does my business entity change its name?

In order for a limited liability company to change its name, the entity must file articles of amendment with the Texas Secretary of State. The Secretary of State does not provide forms for this purpose but does include a summary of the requirements on the Secretary of State web site (Form 409 includes the information for a limited liability company).

Registered Agent

A registered agent must be an individual age 18 years or older whose primary residence or usual place of business is in Texas, a domestic entity having a regular place of business in Texas or a foreign entity authorized to transact business or conduct activities in Texas that has a usual place of business in Texas. If the entity has a usual place of business in Texas, it may serve as its own registered agent.