If you’re starting a new business in Texas, you’ll need to give it a name that’s not already being used by another business. The best place to check for business name availability for your limited liability company (LLC) is the Taxable Entity Search tool on the Texas Comptroller’s website.
Learn how to complete a Texas LLC name search in our comprehensive guide below.
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Get StartedHow to Check if Your Texas LLC Name Is Available
Completing an LLC name search is an important step toward registering your business with the state. Name searches ensure your chosen business name is available and may help you avoid legal complications in the future. Follow these steps to complete a business name search and protect your new venture.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you complete your name search, you need to confirm your desired business name follows the state’s naming guidelines. It’s important to verify this before conducting your search because you can’t register your business entity with the state if its name doesn’t meet these criteria.
Some key guidelines for Texas LLC names include:
- According to the Texas Business Organizations Code, your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “Ltd Co.,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Texas reserved names.
- Your name can’t use restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” which may confuse your business with an official institution.
- Your name can’t imply the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose.
- Your name can’t include the words “lotto” or “lottery.”
- Your name can’t imply the LLC was created by — or for the benefit of — war veterans or their families. The following words are expressly prohibited: “veteran,” “legion,” “foreign,” “Spanish,” “disabled,” “war,” and “world war.”
For more information, check out the Texas Business Organizations Code.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other business names. In Texas, a distinguishable name is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Texas:
- Business entity type identifiers
- Use of articles, prepositions, or conjunctions
- Use of periods or spaces
- Use — or absence of — letters that don’t make the name readily distinguishable when spoken aloud
- Geographic designations at the end of the name
- A different order of the same words
- Use of contractions of the same root words
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Conduct a State Business Name Search
You can search for an LLC name in Texas online through the state’s business name database, by email, and by phone:
- Online: Do a Texas Taxable Entity Search on the Texas Comptroller’s website.
- By Email: Email [email protected] and request a preliminary name availability screening.
- By Phone: Call the Secretary of State at (512) 463-5555.
We recommend business owners call or email the Secretary of State for preliminary name approval — even if the name appears as available on the Texas Taxable Entity Search tool.
3. Check Available Domain Names
When you choose a business name, you’ll need to find out whether a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
4. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
Completing a thorough search of the federal trademark database is an important step that may help you avoid legal complications down the road. Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website and search for potential matches. Even if your LLC name is available within your state, make sure your brand elements don’t infringe on existing trademarks.
For additional help, visit our review of the best trademark services for startups.
5. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in Texas for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other Texas business entities from registering your unique name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself. However, it’s not required by the state.
You can file a name reservation online or via hard copy with the Texas Secretary of State. The fee is $40.
You also can renew your name reservation for an additional 120 days, if it expires.
6. Form Your Texas LLC
Once you complete your LLC search, the next step is to secure your business name by registering your business with the state. To form an LLC in Texas, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State online or by mail.
This filing will require you to provide some important information about your business, such as your registered agent’s information, business address, and whether or not the business will be managed by managers. Many entrepreneurs choose to utilize an LLC formation service to ensure this filing is completed efficiently and accurately.
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Start NowFrequently Asked Questions
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 also may contact the Texas Secretary of State at (512) 463-5555 or [email protected] for a preliminary name availability screening.
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?
Texas 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.
LLC names in Texas can’t include the words “lotto,” “lottery,” “veteran,” “legion,” “foreign,” “Spanish,” “disabled,” “war,” and “world war.”
Additionally, according to Section 61.313 of the Texas Education Code, LLCs may not use terms like “College,” “University,” “Seminary,” “School of Medicine,” “Medical School,” “Health Science Center,” “School of Law,” “Law Center,” or “Law School” in their name, in any language. However, the state may waive this restriction if the entity obtains a letter of no objection from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Lastly, under Section 31.005 of the Texas Finance Code, the use of terms like “bank,” “bank and trust,” or any similar words or phrases, including those in foreign languages, isn’t allowed in an entity’s name. The state can waive this restriction if the entity obtains a letter of no objection from the Texas Banking Commissioner.
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 “Limited Company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “Ltd. Co.,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my Texas business name?
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 DBA name or an assumed name in Texas.
In Texas, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.
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 DBA names by reading our guide on how to get a DBA and selecting Texas from the drop-down menu.