Last Updated on May 11, 2023
Texas Secretary of State Business Entity Search
The Texas Corporations Section is the record book of every business entity and corporation that is or was incorporated in the state. Any entity, whether a Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or a Limited Partnership, registered or filed with the Secretary of State of Texas has its information stored in the Section for future reference.
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How to do a Texas Business Entity Search
If you want help finding a business entity registered with the Secretary of State of Texas, or search for available business names, you can read our easy step-by-step procedure on using the Section’s public information search tool. This search does not apply to an unincorporated business, which includes the sole proprietorship and general partnership. These entities do not have to register with the state, but they may register the business name, by filing a county Assumed Name Certificate. To look these up, visit the county clerk’s office in the county where the business is located and search by
Also see: How to Start an LLC in Texas
For your search, you need to have at least one of the business entity’s following information with you:
- Tax ID
- Name
- File Number
Important: If you want to search by Tax ID or File Number, it must be exact. If you want to search by Name, it must be specific (otherwise, you’ll get a message telling you to narrow down your search terms).
Search by Business Name
Step 1 – Visit the Texas Secretary of State website to go to the Search Page (see the screenshot below for reference).
Step 2 – Choose your preferred search method. In this example, we’ll search by name. Type in the sample name (“Good PIzza”) in the Entity Name field and click the “Search” button.
Step 3 – After you click the “Search” button, the Results Page will then appear. If you want to access more information on a business entity, click the “Details” button to the left of its name (see the screenshots below for reference).
The entity details include information like;
- Entity Name
- Texas Taxpayer Number
- Mailing Address
- State of Formation
- Registration Date
- File Number
- Registered Agent Information
- Information on the Board of Directors / Members
Search by Tax ID
If you have the Texas Tax ID number of the entity, enter that number in the Tax ID field.
Search by File Number
If you have the file number that is assigned by the Secretary of State to the entity, you can search with that number as well.
Business Licenses
Business name registration is different from business licensing in Texas. The Texas Economic Development Business Permit Office has more information regarding Texas business licenses.
Also see: How to do a Texas UCC search
Information on Texas (TX) SOS
Office:
The Secretary of the State of Texas is one of the six members of the executive department of the state of Texas. The Secretary of State of Texas is appointed by the Governor of the State, and the appointment is confirmed by the State Senate.
The current Texas Secretary of State is David Whitley.
Functions:
The Secretary of State of Texas serves as the chief election officer and the chief protocol officer both for matters of the state and international matters. He also acts as the liaison for the Governor on Mexican and other border matters. The Texas Secretary of State handles business filings and statutory documents, including administering open meetings.
The Secretary of State of Texas is the custodian of the Great Seal of the State of Texas. He is authorized to certify and authenticate government documents by the use of this Seal. They look after the state’s public affairs and is the guardian of the public records and archives in the state. As one of the six executive officers of the state, he exercises a major role in the government of Texas.
Secretary of State Contact Information
James E. Rudder Building
1019 Brazos
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-5555