Get a DBA Name for Your Texas Business

If you own a Texas business and would like to use a different name than your legal business name, you will need to register a “doing business as” or DBA name with the state. In Texas, this is called an assumed name, and other terms for DBAs also include fictitious business names and trade names. These names are typically used when you want to use multiple names for one business, or if you are a sole proprietor or partnership wanting to be recognized as something other than your legal name.

Want to learn more? This guide will cover the basics of what an assumed or DBA name is, the rules for choosing, registering, and maintaining one in the Lone Star State, and how we can help make the process easier.

What is a Texas DBA name?

Texas businesses are usually created and operated as one of the following business structures:

• Corporation
• General partnership
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Limited liability partnership (LLP)
• Limited partnership (LP)
• Sole proprietorship

If you want to operate your business under any name other than its legal name, you must create and file a DBA name. In Texas, a DBA name is known as an “assumed name.” Where you file your Assumed Name Certificate depends on the type of business you own.

For example, sole proprietorships and general partnerships file with the county clerk where their business is located. If they don’t have a main place of business, they must file in all counties where they conduct business under their assumed name. Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, and LPs must register their assumed names with the Texas Secretary of State.

The advantages of using a DBA name also vary depending on the type of business you own. Here are some benefits that you may experience from using an assumed name:

• Compliance: Any business that operates under a name other than its legal name is required to register a DBA for that name. Sole proprietors and general partnerships can legally only use the personal, legal names of the owners unless they have a DBA. It’s the difference between being John Smith and Smith Lawn Services.
• Expansion: If you’re an LLC or corporation that’s looking to expand its business into other markets, using a DBA name is a great option. You won’t have to go through the hassle and paperwork of creating an entirely new legal business entity just to offer more products or services under a different name.
• Simplicity: Sole proprietors and partnerships may also have surnames that are difficult to pronounce. An LLC or corporation might want to drop designators like “LLC” or “Corp.” from their name. Using a DBA name alleviates issues like these.

It’s important to note that a DBA name is not a business entity type, like a corporation. It’s simply a new name that you can do business under once it’s registered with the Secretary of State or the proper county or counties. Therefore, it does not change anything about your taxes or legal status. Learn more below about how to obtain and maintain a DBA name in Texas.

How do I register a Texas DBA name?

Corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs must register a Texas DBA name with the Secretary of State. You can do so electronically via the state’s online business services portal, SOSDirect. Sign in to your account to access the Assumed Name Certificate. Complete the form online and pay the required filing fee.

To register a Texas DBA name with the Secretary of State on paper, follow these steps:

1. Open the Assumed Name Certificate application.
2. Enter the assumed name under which you plan to do business.
3. Enter the legal name of your entity.
4. Select which type of entity is filing.
5. Enter the file number from the Secretary of State if you have one.
6. Enter the state, country, or jurisdiction where the entity was legally formed.
7. Enter the entity’s principal office address.
8. Select the period of duration for the use of the assumed name, up to 10 years.
9. Enter the county or counties where you’ll do business under the assumed name.
10. Print, sign, and date the application.

To mail the application, send it with a check or money order for the required fee to:

Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697

To fax the application, send it to (512) 463-5709. Credit card information must be included if you’re filing by fax. Fill out Form 807 to pay the filing fee, plus a 2.7% convenience fee. American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover are all accepted.

To register the application in person, deliver it to the:

James Earl Rudder Office Building
1019 Brazos St.
Austin, TX 78701

Payment can be made in person using a personal check, money order, LegalEase debit card, or credit card.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships must register DBA names at the county level in Texas. Search the Secretary of State’s county clerks list to find more information for each county where you need to register an assumed name.

How do I choose a Texas DBA name?

Choosing the best Texas DBA name for your business depends on several factors. It’s important to come up with a name that sets you apart from the competition. The name should be memorable, easy to market, and relate to the goods or services your business offers. A Texas DBA name must also comply with state assumed name laws and naming rules. For example, the name:

• Can’t imply government affiliation
• Can’t be grossly offensive
• Can’t imply a business purpose it can’t legally fulfill
• Must be distinguishable from other entity names on file
• Can include Roman or Arabic numerals
• Can include the symbols ! “ $ % ’ ( ) * ? # = @ [] / + & and –

The following restricted words or wording are off-limits unless you receive approval from the proper authority:

• “Olympic,” “Olympiad,” “Citius Altius Fortius,” or any words related to the Olympics (United States Olympic Committee)
• “Bank,” “Bank and Trust,” “Trust,” “Trust Company” (Banking Commissioner)
• “College,” “University,” “School of Medicine,” “Medical School,” “Health Science Center,” “School of Law,” “Law Center,” “Law School,” (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)
• “Veteran,” “Legion,” “Foreign,” “Spanish,” “Disabled,” “War,” “World War” (applicable veterans associations)

An entity is allowed to register more than one assumed name, which you may want to do as your business grows. In addition, a Texas DBA name doesn’t have to be unique from any other DBA name registered at the county or state level. You may want to do a Texas business search to see what’s already in use because you don’t want to be confused with another similarly named business.

You also need to consider how your DBA name will work as a domain name for your company’s website. A quick domain name search allows you to see what’s available. When you’re ready, ZenBusiness can help you register a domain name.

How do I manage ongoing DBA name compliance in Texas?

In Texas, you decide the term of use for your DBA name when you register it with the Secretary of State. You can detail specific dates on your assumed name certificate application or accept the standard 10-year term. If you want to continue to use your DBA name, you must register it again by filling out a new Assumed Name Certificate and paying the required fee before the previous term expires.

The Secretary of State’s office doesn’t allow you to make any changes to your assumed name certificate after it has been filed, even if it’s to correct a mistake or change an address. If you need to change or cancel your DBA name application, you must complete an Abandonment of Assumed Name Certificate and file it for a small fee. Then, you need to submit a new Assumed Name Certificate with the normal required fee.

If you’re ready to form a Texas LLC or corporation, we can make getting a DBA name simple. 

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