Texas Business Name Search (Updated: Apr. 2026)

Performing a business name search is your first step when creating your LLC in Texas. This ensures your name is distinguishable and unique. In this article, I’ve described how to use the search methods tool, how to interpret the different results, and ways to ensure that your desired LLC name is distinguishable.

You can use the “Franchise Tax Account Status Search” tool to search for your desired LLC name in Texas. Although the state doesn’t have an official tool, this provides a fast and reliable search means before filing your Certificate of Formation.

Your Texas LLC application may be rejected if you don’t check name availability before filing. Your business name must not be the same as other Texas businesses. It also can’t be too similar to existing LLC businesses. You can run your Texas business name search using 3 methods:

• The Entity Name Box.
• Your Taxpayer Number.
• Your Texas Secretary of State File Number.

Method #1 is the fastest and easiest, while methods #2 and #3 are most accurate.

Business Name Search In Texas: 3 Methods

The Texas Secretary of State Business Name Search is less reliable than the other methods, but it’s the fastest.

However, I assume that not many people can find their Taxpayer Number and Texas Secretary of State File Number. Therefore, I will describe Method #1 only.

1. Method #1: The Texas Business Name Search

Follow these rules when using the Texas Business Name Search tool:

• Don’t use designators when searching your LLC name.
• Search using the first part of your desired name (1–2 words).
• You can use singular and plural word forms in your name search.

For example, search for “BIZREPORT” if your desired LLC name is “BIZREPORT AUTO.”

Your search is too broad if you see the message “Search will return XXXX entries. Please refine search by Entity Name.” In this case, you need to be more specific.

For example, you should find something more specific, like “Parkview Auto” instead of “Parkview.” This narrows down your search results and increases your chances of finding similar business names while cutting out unnecessary ones.

Interpreting Your Texas LLC Name Search Results

The free Texas business name availability search will give you 4 different results based on your desired LLC name. This determines your next steps when forming an LLC. These are your four possible results and what they mean:

• Your name is unique means that it’s available as no similar ones exist.
• “No data available in table” implies that your desired name is likely available.
• If the exact LLC business name exists, your name is unavailable.
• Your table shows very similar names, so your name is likely unavailable.

1. Result #1: Your Name Is Unique (No Similar Names)

If your results find no similar names, your desired LLC name is distinguishable and available.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “GREEN TEA AUTO.”

If the only similar names when searching “GREEN TEA” are “GREEN TEA, LLC” and “GREEN TEA 666 LLC,” your desired LLC name is likely available.

2. Result #2: No Data Available In Table

Your desired LLC name is likely still available if your search results show “No data available in table.” Check for similar matches by searching again using part of your desired name.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “BIZREPORT LLC.”

Search again using “BIZREPORT” to check for similar matches.

3. Result #3: The Exact LLC Business Name Exists

A Texas business is already using your desired LLC name if the results show the exact LLC name in the table. You’ll need to choose another one as it’s unavailable.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “SKY SALON SUITES & SPA.”

Your search results show the exact name, so it isn’t available to use.

4. Result #4: Very Similar Names Are Shown

Your LLC name is likely unavailable if your search results table shows very similar names.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “DESIGN STUDIOS.”

Your search results table shows “DESIGN STUDIO LLC,” which means your name is taken, and you’ll need to choose another.

What If My Desired LLC Name Isn’t Available?

You must choose a suitable variation or a different LLC name if your desired name isn’t unique.

Tip: Wait until your desired LLC is approved before applying for an EIN or buying marketing materials. You’ll avoid wasting time and money if your name isn’t approved.

1. Option #1: Call The State

Check the availability of your desired LLC name by calling the State Business Information Line at 512-463-5555.

Ensure you prepare 1 to 2 backup names in case your first choice isn’t available.

Their business phone hours are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. CT, Monday to Friday. Call at 8 A.M. to avoid long holding times.

2. Option #2: Send An Email

You can also check your desired LLC name availability by sending an email to the Texas Secretary of State.

While the Texas Secretary of State responds quickly to emails, this might be slower than calling them.

Name Requirements For A Texas LLC

Guidelines for Texas LLC names are set by the Texas BOC. You must follow each rule closely if you want your desired Texas LLC business name to be accepted.

More details can be found in Subchapter C (Title 1, Part 4, Chapter 79) of the Texas Administrative Code.

These are the seven main naming rules to be aware of when filing your Certificate of Formation in Texas:

1. Using commas: File your desired LLC name with or without commas.
2. Appropriate endings: You must use 1 out of 8 suitable designators.
3. Articles of speech and conjunctions: Using these doesn’t make your LLC name distinguishable.
4. Letters, characters, numbers, and symbols: You can use Roman letters, numbers, and certain symbols. Subscript and superscript are not recognized. Lowercase or uppercase letters can be used.
5. Corporate designators: These don’t create distinguishability.
6. Prohibited actions and restricted words: Your name cannot suggest that it is part of a government entity, insurance firm, or bank. It cannot imply illegal activity or be deemed offensive.
7. Inappropriate or misleading words: You must get authorization from the relevant authorities before including certain words.

1. Using Commas In Your LLC Name

The Texas Secretary of State will accept LLC names filed with and without a comma.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Riverstone Designs.”

This can be filed as:

• Riverstone Designs LLC.
• Riverstone Designs, LLC.

2. Using Appropriate Designators (Endings) In Your LLC Name

Section 5.056 of the Texas Business Organizations Code discusses the use of appropriate designators. Your desired LLC name must contain one of the following designators:

• Limited Liability Company.
• LLC.
• L.L.C.
• Limited Company.
• LC.
• L.C.
• Ltd. Liability Company.
• Limited Liability Co.

Note: Most LLC names use “LLC”.

3. Using Articles Of Speech (A, An, The) And Conjunctions (And)

Adding articles of speech and conjunctions to your LLC name doesn’t usually make it distinguishable.

Example: The LLC names “Coffee House,” “A Coffee House,” and “The Coffee House” are not distinguishable, regardless of the designator used.

4. Letters, Characters, Numbers, And Symbols

You can use Roman letters, numbers, and certain symbols (! ” $ % ‘ ( ) * ? # = @ [] / + & –) in your LLC name.

They will appear in the database in the same font.

Superscript and subscript are not recognized (CO² will show as CO2).

You can use lowercase, uppercase, or capitalized letters in your desired LLC name.

5. Corporate Designators

Using different corporate designators does not create distinguishability

Example: The names “Sarah’s Styles LLC” and “Sarah’s Styles Inc” are not distinguishable.

6. Prohibited Actions And Restricted Words

Your desired LLC name cannot suggest that it is part of any government entity.

It cannot suggest that it issues insurance or is a bank without prior authorization.

Furthermore, LLC names cannot imply illegal activity or be deemed grossly offensive.

Lastly, you cannot use “bail bond” in your LLC name.

7. Inappropriate Or Misleading Words

Your LLC name cannot use “Olympic”, “Olympiad,” or “Citius Altius Fortius” without authorization from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Get authorization from the Texas Banking Commissioner before using banking-related words such as “Bank,” “Trust,” or “Trust Company.”

Apply for authorization from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before using terms like “College,” “University,” or “Law School.”

You cannot use words that imply benefits for veterans, like “Veteran,” “Legion,” “Foreign,” “Disabled,” “War,” or “World War” without authorization. However, you can use them if there’s no such implication.

Making Your Texas Business Name Distinguishable (Unique)

Search the Texas Secretary of State Business Filing Search to compare your desired LLC name to existing state businesses.

You must come up with a unique variation or a different business name if the same one exists.

Below are the main rules regarding indistinguishable LLC names. Follow each one if you want your Certificate of Formation to be accepted.

• Rule 1: You can use languages if the characters use the Roman alphabet.
• Rule 2: Using different endings doesn’t create distinguishability.
• Rule 3: You can’t change lowercase letters to uppercase letters to create distinguishability. The opposite also applies.
• Rule 4: These don’t make your desired LLC name distinguishable
• Rule 5: Adding an “s” to different words doesn’t create distinguishability.

1. Using Different Languages

You may use other languages, such as Spanish, provided the characters use the Roman alphabet.

Your LLC name will not be translated by the Texas Secretary of State.

Therefore, a Spanish name with the same meaning as an English one is allowed.

Examples:

• “Sol Brillante” and “Bright Sun” are distinguishable.
• “Amigo Tech” and “Friend Tech” are distinguishable.

2. Designators

Using different designators (endings) will not create distinguishability.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Bizreport LLC.”

You must choose a different name if the following similar names appear in the Texas Business Name Search:

• Bizreport, L.L.C.
• Bizreport, Inc.
• Bizreport, Corp.

3. Capitalization

Different capitalizations (Lowercase or uppercase letters) don’t create distinguishability. This applies to all parts of the business name, including the designator (ending).

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Sunflower Studio LLC.”

It’s not distinguishable when using the following capitalizations:

• sunflower studio llc.
• SUNFLOWER STUDIO INC.

4. Filler Words

You cannot use filler words to make your desired LLC name distinguishable.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Silver Lake LLC.”

The following filler words do not make it distinguishable:

• A Silver Lake Inc.
• The Silver Lake LLC.

5. Singular Words, Plural Words, And Possessive Words

Making part of your business name plural or possessive by adding an “s” doesn’t make it unique.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Maple Tree Bakery LLC.”

You still cannot use it in the following examples:

• Maple Trees Bakery LLC.
• Maples Tree Bakery L.L.C.

Other Concerns About Starting An LLC In Texas

1. What If My Texas Business Name Is Rejected?

You need to re-file your Articles of Organization using a different LLC name if your original filing was rejected.

The state of Texas will explain its reasoning behind the rejection in its reply. You should use this when choosing a suitable LLC name. Once you’ve read their reply, follow our guide to make sure your next filing is accepted.

2. DBA Name For My LLC

A DBA (Assumed Name in Texas) allows your LLC to operate under a name that’s different from its legal name listed in the Certificate of Formation.

To operate your LLC under a name different from its legal name, you must file an Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) with the Texas Secretary of State

3. Is An LLC Name Reservation Required?

LLC name reservation is not required in Texas; it’s optional. If your name is rejected, the state simply asks you to refile with a new name. A reservation is useful only if you want to hold a name before forming your LLC.

This costs $40 and can be filed by mail (Form 501) or online via SOSDirect. The best option depends on how quickly you need the filing process to be completed. Reservation lasts 120 days and can be renewed indefinitely in 30-day increments.

For further reading, Subchapter C of Title 1, Chapter 5 governs LLC name reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions