Texas LLC Name Availability

The Texas Comptroller page is titled Franchise Tax Account Status Search. It is not labeled as an LLC name-approval tool. The form accepts a taxpayer number, an entity name, or a Texas Secretary of State file number. For a new name idea, the Entity Name field is the relevant starting point.

Try the meaningful words in each candidate, not only one exact punctuation pattern. If a broad phrase produces too many records, narrow it by adding another distinctive word. The goal is to notice close names that deserve a closer comparison, not to make a legal decision from one query.

Run the candidates one at a time so the result belongs to a clear query. Keep the spelling you searched and the date beside each observation. If you change the distinctive words later, treat that as a new candidate and search again. This small record prevents an old no-match result from being attached to a different filing name.

Open the free Comptroller search

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A matching row means the Comptroller records contain an entity that matched the submitted text. Compare the name itself and any available identifying details. The row does not, by itself, tell you whether the Secretary of State would reject your proposed filing name.

An empty table means only that this query returned no matching row in the Comptroller database at that moment. The example below used the invented candidate Juniper Lantern Works. The table displayed “No data available in table” and zero entries. That is a useful observation, but it does not reserve the name or establish that the filing office will accept it.

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Do not rank candidates by row count alone. One close name can matter more than many loose text matches, while zero rows still leaves the Secretary of State review ahead. The useful output from this step is a short list of candidates plus notes about the similarities you found.

The Texas Secretary of State - Business & Public Filings Division handles entity filings. Its public SOSDirect information page leads to a paid records search and states that each search has a $1 fee. Entering SOSDirect leads to a subscriber login with account and temporary-user paths.

A SOSDirect records search and a preliminary determination requested from agency staff are separate routes. Use SOSDirect to review Secretary of State records. Use the phone or email options below when you want the agency’s preliminary view of a complete proposed name.

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The Secretary of State’s Name Filings FAQ lists two ways to request a preliminary determination: call 512-463-5555 or email CorpInfo@sos.texas.gov. Have the complete proposed name ready, including the LLC ending you expect to file.

Ask about the exact candidate you would put on the filing, not only a shortened brand phrase. Keep one or two backups ready because a preliminary concern can change which candidate you investigate next. Record which route you used and when, especially if your filing will happen later.