Texas Business Search
Texas business search
Quick answer. A Texas business search usually needs two official sites. The Secretary of State’s SOSPortal holds the formation record and charges a $1 statutory fee per search. The Comptroller’s franchise tax account status search is free and shows whether the entity may transact business in Texas. Neither site is a county assumed-name index for a sole proprietor.
Official office
Texas Secretary of State, Corporations Section
Phone: (512) 463-5555
Secretary of State, 400 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701. Mail: P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697.
SOSPortal is online 24/7. The Secretary of State states a $1 statutory fee for each search.
Steps
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Decide which office has the fact you need
Formation documents, the SOS file number, registered agent, and amendments are at the Secretary of State. The right-to-transact status that used to be called a Comptroller “good standing” is at the franchise tax account status search. Start with the office that matches the question.
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Use SOSPortal for the Secretary of State file
The Secretary of State says SOSPortal is available 24/7 and that each search carries a $1 fee set by statute. Business-filing questions go to CorpInfo@sos.texas.gov or (512) 463-5555. The corporations mailing address is P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697. Delivery: 400 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
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Search the Comptroller with the taxpayer number or the EIN
The Comptroller’s screen takes an 11-digit Texas taxpayer number or a 9-digit federal EIN. It does not ask for the SOS file number first. If you only have a name, find the SOS file and the tax ID in SOSPortal, then run the Comptroller search. The Comptroller guide is the longer version.
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Read “right to transact” literally
The Comptroller says franchise tax account status, formerly called good standing, is whether the entity has the right to transact business in Texas. Forfeiture follows unmet franchise-tax requirements under Tax Code chapter 171, after at least 45 days’ notice. It is not the same document as an SOS certificate used to reinstate.
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Keep assumed names in the right courthouse or the right form
A corporation, LLC, LP, or LLP that operates under a name other than its legal name files Form 503 with the Secretary of State. An unincorporated business files an assumed name with the county clerk. The assumed name page draws that line.
Why one search box is never enough
People type “texas secretary of state business search,” “texas comptroller entity search,” and “texas sos business search” as if they were one website. They are two agencies. SOSPortal answers “was this LLC formed, and what is the file number?” The Comptroller answers “may it currently transact business, based on franchise tax?” A closing often wants both.
UCC financing statements are yet another Secretary of State system. Property liens and many assumed names for individuals sit with county clerks. This guide does not walk through UCC or courthouse liens. Use the agency that actually keeps that record.
The $1 SOS search
The Secretary of State’s SOSPortal page states a $1 statutorily authorized fee for each search. The Comptroller status search does not show that $1 charge. If a vendor quotes a large fee for a “Texas business entity search,” ask which of these two official screens they are reading, because one of them is free and the other is a dollar.
Common mistakes
- Calling the Comptroller status a Secretary of State certificate. The Comptroller’s own page says reinstatement or termination at the SOS needs a certificate specific to that purpose.
- Searching a DBA at the Comptroller and concluding the company was never formed.
- Paying a bulk “Texas business search” product that reprints these two public sites.
Questions
Where is the official Texas business entity search?
Formation records are in the Secretary of State’s SOSPortal. Franchise-tax status is the Comptroller’s franchise tax account status search. Use both when the question is whether the company exists and whether it may transact business.
Is a Texas SOS business search free?
No. The Secretary of State says each SOSPortal search has a $1 statutory fee. The Comptroller’s franchise tax account status search is a separate, free lookup by taxpayer number or EIN.
What is a Texas SOS file number?
It is the identifier the Secretary of State assigns when it files the entity. SOSPortal search results are opened by that file number. It is not the 11-digit Comptroller taxpayer number.
Who do I email?
Secretary of State business filings: CorpInfo@sos.texas.gov, or call (512) 463-5555. Comptroller franchise tax help: (800) 252-1381, listed on the account-status instructions.