Filing DBA in Texas

If you have a business idea and want to form a startup there are many aspects of the business that you may need to consider and one of them is to apply for Texas DBA online. A DBA or doing business as is a type of fictitious business name or trade name that any type of small business can file in the state. Different forms of business can derive different benefits from using a DBA. If you are asking yourself, “How do I look up a DBA in Texas” then our guide will provide you with information on DBA in Texas, conducting a DBA name search, the need for a DBA, and the process of filing and managing a DBA.

Doing Business As or DBA in Texas

Texas has a strong economic climate and pro-business environment and today, it is home to 2.8 million small businesses. Small businesses in Texas include corporations, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, and other forms of organization structure. Some of these businesses opt for a business name while others apply for a Texas DBA online. However, there are several aspects to be considered prior to applying for an assumed name certificate Texas like what a DBA really is and how it can be useful for your entity.

What is DBA in Texas?

Every business in Texas or any other state in the USA requires a legal name or a true name to become operational. This is especially true for a sole proprietorship or partnership business where the legal name is most often the name of the business owner. If an individual or company decides to conduct their business under another name, then this name is considered to be a DBA (Doing Business As) or assumed name and for such a business filing a DBA in Texas becomes necessary.

Let’s look at an example to understand this: An individual named Carol Dawn wants to form a sole proprietorship in Texas. If the name of her business is Carol Dawn’s Gourmet Services then filing a DBA in Texas is not required. However, if she opts for a name that has just the first name like Carol’s Gourmet Services then she would be required to file a Texas DBA online application. The DBA has to be filed in the second case as the new name doesn’t have her full legal name.

Filing a DBA in Texas means that the chosen or given name will become a part of the public record and other businesses as well as consumers would be aware of this assumed name. One of the highlights of choosing a DBA is that there are no specific limits to the number of assumed names or DBA a business can use. As a result, by using a DBA, a business owner or company can operate multiple businesses and they will not be required to create separate legal entities for each of those businesses. This is especially true for corporations and limited liability companies.

For Example: If Carol Dawn wants to offer different products or services like a restaurant, a mobile food truck, and a cafe then what are her options? She can set up an LLC or a corporation under a generic name like Dawn Foods Inc., and then file a Texas DBA online application for each of the businesses as in the restaurant (Dawn Fine Dining), mobile food truck (Dawn’s Hot Dogs), and cafe (Dawn’s Cappuccino). This process will help you in controlling your paperwork and costs while enabling business expansion.

Filing DBA in Texas for LLC and Corporation

There are different types of businesses to choose from if you are planning to form your new business in Texas. You can choose to form a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company, General Partnership, Corporation, Limited Partnership, and Limited Liability Partnership. Whatever the type of business you choose, you also need to create a business name for the same. Now, if you plan to operate your business under a name that is different from your own name then filing a DBA in Texas is important.

A DBA is known as an assumed name in this state and you will have to apply for apply for Texas DBA online. There is a specific process for registering the assumed name or trade name in Texas including conducting a Texas DBA search. You are probably wondering “how do I look up a DBA in Texas”? Let us try and understand how the process works as this will answer all your queries regarding a DBA search and filing in the state.

Do Texas DBA Name Search

One of the key aspects of filing a DBA in Texas is conducting an assumed name search. The search is important as it will help determine if your chosen trade name is available or not. If you are asking how do I look up a DBA in Texas then there are two options:

You can conduct a name availability search with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
You can also conduct a search with the county office for example; you can use Tarrant County Clerk Online Services or Harris County Document Search Portal to check availability of assumed names

There are some laws pertaining to an assumed name or ‘doing business as’ name and they are governed by 2005 Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 36, Assumed Business or Professional Name, Subchapter A – General Provisions.

File Texas Assumed Name Certificate

The state of Texas requires businesses transacting in this state under any name other than the owners name to apply for an assumed name certificate Texas (Form-503) pursuant to Texas business and commerce code, TBCC Sec. 71.051 and Sec. 71.101. The filing of DBA in Texas has to be with the office of the county clerk or the Secretary of State and will be valid for a period of 10 years from the date of its filing. We at IncParadise can help you to register your DBA in Texas and also provide information pertaining to different aspects of the filing process.

When filing the assumed name certificate Texas, there are certain areas that you need to focus on and they are:

The filing of DBA in Texas takes place at the county clerk’s office and hence you will have to submit the applications with the office of the county clerk.
You can check with the county clerk’s office or the county record office to determine the fee applicable. The forms and fee may vary from one county to another for example: the filing fee for Assumed Name Certificate in Bexar County is $14.00 for one owner and $0.50 for each additional owner while the filing fee in Travis County is $24.00 plus an additional $0.50 for each owner’s name being listed.
If you file an assumed name certificate in Texas with the office of the Secretary of State then the filing fee would be $25.
A Texas DBA online application will contain information as follows:
- The assumed name under which an entity will conduct its business
- The physical address of the business
- Name and address of owners
- Type of business
Depending on the county where you are filing a DBA in Texas, it can be submitted in person or by mail. In some counties you may be able to file a Texas DBA online application.

Managing Texas DBA

You can apply for a Texas DBA online as it is required by different types of businesses transacting in the state. However, it is also important to identify certain requirements related to the Texas assumed name or trade name like managing of the DBA, which could vary from renewals to canceling or abandoning such a name. Let us take a look at three different aspects of managing an assumed name certificate in Texas.

How to renew Texas DBA?

Once you apply for a Texas DBA online, the assumed name will be valid for a period of years effective from the date of initial filing. If you wish to continue with the same assumed name after years then you will be required to apply for a new assumed name certificate in Texas prior to the expiration date of the existing DBA certificate pursuant to TX Bus & Com Code § 71.151 (2019). The renewal will be for a period of years and you will have to file Form 503 – Assumed Name Certificate.

The fee to apply for a Texas DBA online for renewals is $25 and has to be filed with the office of the Texas Secretary of State. You can also file the same with the office of the County Clerk in the similar manner as you had filed the assumed name certificate in Texas initially.

How to change Texas DBA?

In order to make any changes to your assumed name certificate in Texas, you will have to complete the legal registration process or the initial process of applying for an assumed name. Filing a DBA in Texas all over again is governed by TX Bus & Com Code § 71.152 (2019) where it specifies that you will have to apply fresh if there is a requirement for change in the assumed name, change of entity, identity, type of business (like partnership to LLC) or location of the individual registering the name. The filing fee will be the same, which is $25.

How to cancel Texas DBA?

The cancellation of a DBA is known as “Abandonment of Use” in Texas. According to TX Bus & Com Code § 71.153 (2019), you can file a statement of abandonment of use of the Texas assumed name with the office where it was initially registered. If you had filed the Texas DBA online application with the office Secretary of State then you will have to file with the same authority for cancellation of trade name. If you have filed with the office of the County Clerk then you will have to file with the county.

For Example: If your filing a DBA in Texas was with the office of the Rockwall County Clerk then you will have to file a Statement of Abandonment of use of a business or professional name. If you had filed a Texas DBA online application with the Travis County Clerk Office then you will need to submit a Certificate of Abandonment of use of assumed business or professional name. The fee for canceling or abandoning an assumed name will differ from one county to another.

Need Any Assistance in Filing Texas DBA?

The process of filing a DBA in Texas may look difficult as you have the options of registering with the Secretary of State (SOS) or the County Clerk Office. We at IncParadise possess knowledge and expertise regarding various aspects of DBA filing including applying for an assumed name certificate in Texas.

IncParadise is one of the top registered agents in Texas that has helped several entrepreneurs to form their business in the state. We provide registered agent services to all entrepreneurs setting up new business as well as existing businesses wanting to change their registered agent. We can also provide you with additional services that will ensure your other business requirements are fulfilled like getting a tax id, and S corporation status.