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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Texas.
| Official Term | Assumed Name (Assumed Name Certificate) [1] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Texas Secretary of State for LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships; the county clerk for sole proprietors and general partnerships [1] |
| Form | Assumed Name Certificate, Form 503 (Secretary of State) [2] |
| State Fee | $25 per assumed name certificate at the Secretary of State; county fees vary [1] |
| Processing Time | Real-time evidence of processing through SOSDirect; same-day and next-day expedited options available [3] |
| Renewal Required | Yes. The certificate expires after a stated term of up to 10 years and must be refiled to continue [4] |
| Cancellation | File a statement of abandonment (Form 504); the Secretary of State fee is $10 [1] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Texas, the official term is "assumed name," and the filing is called an assumed name certificate.
Any type of business can register an assumed name in Texas. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. The filing path depends on your business structure.
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership structure. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors must use their personal names by default. Registering a trade name unlocks strategic freedom, letting you market under a professional brand that clearly communicates your services. | Texas banks require a registered trade name before opening commercial checking accounts under assumed names. A DBA provides the official verification needed to separate personal and business finances. | Assumed Name lets you launch new product lines without the expensive overhead of establishing separate legal companies. This allows you to easily scale unique public brands while keeping corporate compliance structures simple. | Operating under a trade name keeps your personal identity off public websites, invoices, and consumer contracts. It also builds commercial credibility, signaling to vendors that your operations are official. |
How you register an assumed name in Texas depends on your business type. LLCs, corporations, and other registered entities file Form 503 with the Texas Secretary of State. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the county clerk in each county where they maintain a business premises.
Texas does not reject an assumed name certificate because another business already uses the same or a similar name. Chapter 71 of the Business & Commerce Code does not authorize the state to refuse a filing on the basis of a name conflict, so identical assumed names can exist on file at the same time. [4]
That makes your own due diligence important. You can search existing business names for free through SOSDirect, and you should check the county records where you plan to file. Because the state will not protect the name for you, a clear search protects your brand. [3]
Texas assumed name rules are light, but a few hard limits apply.
| You cannot file your exact legal name | Match designators to your real structure | Conflicts are your responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| An entity may not register an assumed name that is identical to its legal name, because that does not meet the definition of an assumed name under Chapter 71. [1] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in an assumed name. An organizational identifier is not required and should match your actual business structure. | The state does not screen assumed names for conflicts, so run a federal trademark search to avoid infringing a protected mark. [5] |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Filing an assumed name in Texas gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]
Registered entities file Form 503, the Assumed Name Certificate, with the Texas Secretary of State. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file an assumed name certificate with the county clerk instead. [2]
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| File Form 503 with the Secretary of State | $25 per assumed name certificate [6] |
| File with a county clerk (sole proprietor or general partnership) | Varies by county, commonly about $15 to $25 |
| File a statement of abandonment (Form 504) with the Secretary of State | $10 |
Online: SOSDirect, the Secretary of State online filing portal, available 24 hours a day [3]
By mail or in person: Office of the Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697
County filings: contact the county clerk in each county where you maintain a business premises [7]
Credit card payments to the Secretary of State carry a 2.7% convenience fee. County filings generally must be notarized, while filings with the Secretary of State do not.
SOSDirect returns evidence of processing in real time, so online filings are confirmed quickly. Standard expedited service, including same-day and next-day options, is available through Texas Express. [8]
Keep the file-stamped certificate. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for it before they let you operate or accept funds under the assumed name.
A Texas assumed name certificate is not permanent. It expires at the end of the term you choose, up to a maximum of 10 years, and you must file a new certificate before it expires to keep using the name. [4]
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.
A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.
Forming an LLC creates a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, an assumed name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC's legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Assumed Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $25 state or county fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Texas assumed name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
LLCs and corporations file Form 503 with the Secretary of State, while sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the county clerk. Filing in the wrong place wastes time and money. [1]
Texas does not reject conflicting assumed names, so the same name can sit on file many times. Do your own search before you commit to a brand. [4]
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in an assumed name unless the business is actually organized that way. The designator must match your real structure.
Unlike some states, a Texas assumed name expires after its stated term of up to 10 years. Calendar the renewal so your filing does not lapse. [4]
An assumed name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.
State approval is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]
[1] Texas Secretary of State. Name Filings FAQs, Assumed Name Certificates. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[2] Texas Secretary of State. Form 503, Assumed Name Certificate. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[3] Texas Secretary of State. SOSDirect Business Filings. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[4] Texas Legislature. Business & Commerce Code Chapter 71, Assumed Business or Professional Name. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[6] Texas Secretary of State. Business Fee Schedule. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[7] Texas Secretary of State. County Clerks Directory. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
[8] Texas Secretary of State. Filing Options and Texas Express Expedited Service. Accessed on June 2, 2026.
Texas Secretary of State, Business Services. Business forms, fees, and SOSDirect online filing access.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. State tax registration and permit information for Texas businesses.
IRS. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA Houston District Office support for Texas small businesses.
