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How to form an LLC in Texas

File a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State, Business & Public Filings Division. State filing fee $300.

Start my Texas LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$300

State filing fee

How to file

Online or by mail

Not published; SOSPortal gives faster processing and real-time evidence of filing. Expedited documents proces…

Keeping it active

No annual report

Check state tax filings below

The steps in Texas

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “LC”, “L.C.”, “Ltd. Co.”. Must be distinguishable; may not imply government affiliation or unauthorized purpose. Preliminary name check is not final. Professional LLC uses Form 206. You can reserve a name first for $40 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Texas-resident individual or entity registered in Texas; LLC cannot be its own agent. Street address in Texas where process can be served in business hours (not solely a mailbox). The agent must agree to serve — LLCPros prepares a consent for them to sign.

  3. 3

    File the Certificate of Formation

    File with the Texas Secretary of State, Business & Public Filings Division (form Form 205). You can file online or by mail. Fee: $300.

  4. 4

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Texas law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then keep up with any state tax filings.

Fees

Filing fee — Certificate of Formation$300
Optional: Expedited handling (per document) expedite+$25
Optional: name reservation$40

SOSPortal (replaced SOSDirect Sept 29, 2026) accepts ACH or card; card fee $0.25 + 2.25%.

State taxes to know about

Franchise (margin) tax: 2026-2027 no-tax-due threshold $2,650,000; rate 0.75% (0.375% retail/wholesale); EZ rate 0.331% if revenue <= $20M.

Questions about Texas LLCs

›How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?

The Texas filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $300. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Texas?

You file a Certificate of Formation (form Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State, Business & Public Filings Division.

›Does Texas require a registered agent?

Yes. Texas-resident individual or entity registered in Texas; LLC cannot be its own agent. Street address in Texas where process can be served in business hours (not solely a mailbox).

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Texas page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • Expedited filing options and their fees
  • The registered agent rules, including whether the agent must sign a consent
  • Which name endings and words the state allows
  • The current filing fee and any service charge
  • The links to the online filing system and the state’s office
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.