Texas LLC Name Search

How to search for LLC names in Texas

Searching for an available LLC name in Texas is a required step before submitting your Certificate of Formation to the Texas Secretary of State. The state's online business entity database — maintained by the Comptroller of Public Accounts — lets you search existing entity names, assumed names, and reservations so you can assess whether your proposed name is distinguishable from those already on record. A name that returns no results is likely available, but a clear search result is not a legal guarantee of approval; the Secretary of State makes the final determination at the time of filing. The database reflects active entities, dissolved entities still within certain periods, and reserved names, so a thorough search protects you from a rejected filing and the delays that come with it.

Step-by-step: using the Texas Secretary of State name search

1. 1. Navigate to the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search at https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html, which is the primary public tool for searching registered business names in Texas.
2. 2. Enter your proposed LLC name or a keyword in the 'Name' field. You can search by an exact phrase or by individual keywords — searching a keyword gives broader results and is recommended for catching similar names.
3. 3. Review the list of returned entities carefully. Look not just for exact matches but for names that differ only by punctuation, spacing, articles (the, a, an), or entity suffixes like Inc. vs LLC.
4. 4. Click through to individual entity records to see their status (active, voluntarily dissolved, forfeited, etc.). Names belonging to active entities or recently dissolved entities may still block your filing.
5. 5. Repeat the search with alternate spellings, abbreviations, and root words of your proposed name. If no confusingly similar names appear across all variations, your name is likely distinguishable and ready for filing.

Don’t want to file yourself? Northwest Registered Agent files your Texas LLC for $39 + state fee and acts as your registered agent the first year free.

Texas LLC naming rules

• Must include a required designator: the name must contain 'Limited Liability Company,' 'Limited Company,' or an abbreviation such as 'LLC,' 'L.L.C.,' 'LC,' or 'L.C.' to identify the entity type.
• Must be distinguishable from all existing Texas entity names: the name cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any domestic or foreign entity already on record with the Texas Secretary of State.
• Cannot imply government affiliation: names suggesting a connection to a U.S. or Texas government agency — such as 'FBI,' 'Treasury,' 'State Department,' or 'Texas Department of' — are prohibited unless authorized.
• Restricted professional terms require prior approval: words like 'Bank,' 'Trust,' 'Insurance,' 'Surety,' 'Attorney,' 'Engineer,' 'Architect,' and similar licensed-profession terms require written consent or licensing documentation from the relevant state regulatory agency.
• Cannot be obscene or misleading: names that contain profane language or that are likely to mislead the public about the nature, purpose, or affiliation of the business are not permitted.
• Geographical and directional terms do not make a name distinguishable: adding 'North,' 'South,' 'Texas,' 'Greater,' or similar modifiers to an otherwise identical name does not satisfy the distinguishability requirement.
• Names of veterans' and fraternal organizations are protected: you cannot use the name of a recognized veterans' organization or fraternal group without authorization from that organization.
• Certain words implying educational or charitable status — such as 'University,' 'College,' 'Foundation,' or 'Nonprofit' — may trigger additional scrutiny or require approval from the appropriate regulatory body.

Restricted words in Texas LLC names

The following words require special approval from a state agency before you can use them in your Texas LLC name:

• Bank / Banking / Banker — requires approval from the Texas Department of Banking
• Insurance / Insurer / Assurance — requires approval from the Texas Department of Insurance
• Trust / Trustee — requires Texas Department of Banking consent when implying a trust company
• Attorney / Law / Legal Services — may require State Bar of Texas authorization if implying a law practice
• University / College / Academy — may trigger review for implied educational institution status
• Engineer / Engineering / Surveying — requires compliance with Texas Board of Professional Engineers rules
• Olympic / Olympiad — federally protected term; requires consent from the U.S. Olympic Committee
• Lottery / Sweepstakes — restricted due to Texas Gaming and lottery statutes; may be prohibited entirely

How to reserve an LLC name in Texas

A Texas LLC name can be reserved before filing by submitting Form 501 (Application for Reservation of an Entity Name) to the Texas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $40. An approved reservation holds the name exclusively for 120 days. Texas does not provide a formal renewal or extension of a name reservation, so if you need additional time you must wait for the reservation to expire and then file a new reservation — subject to the name still being available at that point.

Tips for choosing an LLC name that passes in Texas

• Search both exact and keyword variations of your name — a single letter difference or a common abbreviation may reveal a conflicting entity you would otherwise miss.
• Check the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) TESS database at tmsearch.uspto.gov to ensure your chosen name does not infringe on a federally registered trademark, which is a separate and equally important clearance step.
• Verify domain name and social media handle availability before committing to a name — a name that is legally clear in Texas may still be unavailable as a .com or on major platforms.
• Avoid names that are heavily geographic (e.g., 'Dallas Consulting LLC') if you plan to expand statewide or nationally, since geographic descriptors can limit brand perception and may conflict with other local entities using similar regional identifiers.
• Choose a name that is distinct enough to stand alone without its LLC suffix — this makes it easier to use in marketing, domains, and everyday business communication while reducing the risk of consumer confusion.
• If your proposed name is close to an existing name, consider contacting the existing entity to obtain a written consent letter; the Texas Secretary of State may accept such a letter as evidence that confusion is unlikely, though approval is still at the Secretary's discretion.