By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
Texas used to be a nightmare for LLC name searches. I remember the days when you’d need 10 backup names just to have a fighting chance. But here’s the good news: House Bill 2856 changed everything in 2018, making Texas significantly more entrepreneur-friendly.
After guiding over 1,200 business formations—including hundreds in Texas—I can tell you that the Lone Star State now operates much more reasonably. But “more reasonable” doesn’t mean you can wing it. Texas still has specific requirements, and getting your name search wrong means rejected filings and lost time.
Let me walk you through the most effective strategies for securing your Texas LLC name in 2025.
The Texas LLC Name Search Revolution
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why this matters now.”
The old Texas: Insanely strict rules where even remotely similar names got rejected. Entrepreneurs regularly needed 8-10 backup names.
The new Texas: House Bill 2856 loosened the distinguishability requirements, making them more in line with other business-friendly states.
What this means for you: Much higher success rates, but you still need to do your homework. Texas examines names for distinguishability—they just apply more reasonable standards now.
My Three-Pronged Texas Name Search Strategy
I’ve developed a foolproof approach that combines speed with accuracy. Here’s my exact methodology:
Method 1: The Quick Online Check (Starting Point)
Tool: Texas Comptroller’s Taxable Entity Search
When to use: Initial screening to weed out obvious conflicts
Limitations: Not as comprehensive as direct state contact, but good for a quick reality check
My search approach:
- Enter core business name without LLC designator
- Search both singular and plural versions
- Try partial searches with key words
Example for “Austin Roof Repair Company LLC”:
- Search: “Austin Roof”
- Search: “Austin Roofing”
- Search: “Roof Repair”
Method 2: The Phone Call (Most Reliable)
Contact: Texas Business Information Line at 512-463-5555
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Central Time
Pro tip: Call right at 8am to avoid hold times. After 9am, you’re looking at potentially long waits.
What to say: “Hello, I’m forming an LLC and need to check name availability for [your desired name].”
Jake’s phone strategy:
- Have 3-5 names ready before calling
- Be prepared with variations and alternatives
- Take notes on exactly what they tell you
Method 3: The Email Approach (Most Convenient)
Email: corpinfo@sos.texas.gov
Response time: Usually within 24-48 hours (surprisingly fast for government)
Template I use for clients:
Subject: LLC Name Availability Check
Hello,
I’m preparing to form a Texas LLC and would like to confirm name availability for the following options:
Primary choice: [Your Desired LLC Name]
Alternative 1: [Backup Name]
Alternative 2: [Second Backup Name]
Please let me know which, if any, of these names are available for use.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
Why I love the email method: You get written confirmation, it’s convenient for busy schedules, and Texas responds remarkably quickly.
Texas LLC Naming Requirements: The Must-Knows
Required Designators
Your Texas LLC must end with one of these options:
- LC
- L.C.
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Ltd. Co.
- Ltd. Company
- Limited Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Limited Liability Company
Reality check: Despite all these options, 99% of my clients choose “LLC.” It’s clean, professional, and universally recognized.
Allowed Characters and Symbols
Texas is actually quite flexible with what you can include:
Allowed:
- Roman alphabet letters (uppercase, lowercase, capitalized)
- Numbers (0-9)
- Symbols: ! ” $ % ‘ ( ) * ? # = @ [] / + & –
Important notes:
- All names appear in the same font in state records
- Subscript/superscript aren’t recognized (CO₂ becomes CO2)
- Capitalization is your choice but doesn’t create uniqueness
Understanding Texas Distinguishability Rules
Here’s where the 2018 changes really helped entrepreneurs. Texas still requires names to be “distinguishable,” but they’re much more reasonable about it now.
What Doesn’t Create Distinguishability
Different entity designators:
- “Mike’s Bikes LLC” conflicts with “Mike’s Bikes Inc.”
Articles and conjunctions:
- “Pizza Shop” conflicts with “A Pizza Shop” and “The Pizza Shop”
- “Mountains Climbing” conflicts with “Mountains and Climbing”
What DOES Create Distinguishability (The Good News)
Foreign language variations:
- “Lápiz Azul” is distinguishable from “Blue Pen”
- “Inteligente Solutions” is distinguishable from “Intelligent Solutions”
This is a huge advantage for bilingual entrepreneurs or those serving diverse communities.
Restricted Words and Special Authorization Requirements
Texas protects certain terms that could mislead the public:
Government-Related Terms
Prohibited without authorization:
- Federal, Government, State terms
- Can’t imply you’re part of government agencies
Financial Services
Banking terms requiring authorization:
- Bank, Bank and Trust, Trust, Trust Company
- Need written authorization from Texas Banking Commissioner
Insurance terms:
- Can’t imply you issue insurance without proper licensing
Educational Terms
Requiring authorization from Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:
- College, University
- School of Medicine, Medical School
- Health Science Center
- School of Law, Law Center, Law School
Veterans Organizations
Special rules for veteran-related terms:
- Veteran, Legion, Foreign, Spanish, Disabled, War, World War
- Need authorization if implying benefit to veterans
- Can use these words if NOT implying veteran benefit
Pro tip: If you’re a veteran, Texas offers free LLC formation for veterans—worth checking out!
Completely Prohibited
- Olympic, Olympiad, Citius Altius Fortius (without U.S. Olympic Committee authorization)
- “Bail bond” in any context
- Names implying illegal activities
- Grossly offensive names
The Name Reservation Debate: Skip It or Use It?
Here’s my take after 15 years: Skip the name reservation for most entrepreneurs.
Why I usually recommend skipping:
- $40 cost for something you probably don’t need
- If your name gets rejected, Texas just asks you to refile with a different name—they don’t steal your money
- The 95% success rate with proper searching makes reservations unnecessary
When reservations make sense:
- You found the perfect name months before you’re ready to file
- You’re coordinating multiple business launches
- You want absolute certainty before investing in branding
Reservation details if you need them:
- Cost: $40
- Duration: 120 days
- Renewable for additional 30-day periods (unlimited renewals)
- File via Form 501 or online through SOSDirect
DBA/Assumed Name Strategy for Texas LLCs
Sometimes your perfect marketing name isn’t available as your legal LLC name. Texas Assumed Names can solve this problem.
Common scenarios:
Scenario 1: Legal name is “Jane’s Imports and Exports LLC,” but you want to operate a retail shop as “Jane’s Shop”
Solution: File an Assumed Name for “Jane’s Shop”
Scenario 2: You want to operate without “LLC” in your business name
Solution: File an Assumed Name for “Jane’s Imports and Exports”
Key details:
- File using Form 503 with the Texas Secretary of State
- No limit on the number of assumed names per LLC
- Each assumed name must also pass distinguishability requirements
My Recommended Texas LLC Formation Timeline
Once you’ve confirmed name availability:
- File immediately: Don’t wait—Texas processes quickly, and you want to lock in your name
- Use SOSDirect for speed: Texas’s online filing system is efficient
- Pay the $300 filing fee: No way around this one
- Wait for approval: Usually processed within a few business days
- Get your EIN: Apply for federal tax ID number after approval
- Open business banking: Set up your LLC bank account
Advanced Search Strategies for Complex Names
When your desired name has potential conflicts, here are my battle-tested approaches:
Strategy 1: Word Order Variations
“Dallas Marketing Solutions LLC” becomes:
- “Marketing Solutions Dallas LLC”
- “Solutions Dallas Marketing LLC”
Strategy 2: Synonym Substitution
“Texas Tech Services LLC” becomes:
- “Texas Technical Services LLC”
- “Texas Technology Services LLC”
Strategy 3: Geographic Specificity
“Lone Star Consulting LLC” becomes:
- “Austin Lone Star Consulting LLC”
- “Lone Star Business Consulting LLC”
Strategy 4: Bilingual Advantage
Use Texas’s foreign language distinguishability rules:
- “Rápido Delivery LLC”
- “Estrella Marketing LLC”
When Your Texas Filing Gets Rejected
Don’t panic—even with proper searching, rejections occasionally happen.
What Texas does:
- Sends you a rejection notice
- Explains the specific reason
- Gives you the opportunity to refile
My recovery strategy:
- Review the rejection reason carefully
- Apply the distinguishability rules to understand the conflict
- Choose from your prepared backup names
- Refile promptly to minimize delays
The good news: Texas doesn’t keep your filing fee when they reject for name issues. You simply refile with a compliant name.
Business Name Brainstorming: My Texas-Tested Process
After naming hundreds of Texas businesses, here’s my methodology:
Phase 1: Texas-Friendly Brainstorming
Consider Texas business culture and your target market. Texans appreciate:
- Straightforward, memorable names
- Regional references (when appropriate)
- Names that reflect competence and reliability
Phase 2: Distinguishability Pre-Check
Before falling in love with any name, run it through basic distinguishability tests:
- Is it similar to obvious competitors?
- Does it use restricted words?
- Is it clearly different from existing businesses?
Phase 3: The Multi-Option Approach
Always have 3-5 solid options before contacting the state. This saves time and prevents disappointment.
Phase 4: Professional Confirmation
Use my three-pronged search strategy to confirm availability.
Formation Service Recommendations
For professional assistance: Based on extensive testing, I recommend Northwest Registered Agent for their transparent pricing and excellent Texas service.
For comprehensive packages: LegalZoom offers full-service Texas LLC formation, though at a higher price point.
DIY approach: Texas’s SOSDirect system is user-friendly enough for most entrepreneurs to handle themselves.
Domain Name Coordination
Before committing to any business name, check domain availability. Texas businesses increasingly operate online, and you don’t want “Perfect Business Name LLC” stuck with “PerfectBusinessNameLLC.net.”
My recommendation: Check domain availability before you even contact the state about name availability.
The Bottom Line on Texas LLC Names
Texas transformed from one of the most restrictive states to one of the more reasonable ones. The 2018 changes were a game-changer for entrepreneurs, especially those serving diverse markets who can now leverage bilingual naming advantages.
Key success principles:
- Use my three-pronged search strategy
- Understand the post-2018 distinguishability rules
- Have multiple name options ready
- Don’t skip domain availability checks
- Consider bilingual opportunities if relevant to your business
Remember: The perfect LLC name is one that’s available, brandable, and serves your business goals. Don’t get paralyzed by perfection—get something good that clears Texas requirements and moves your business forward.
Texas has room for your business ambition. Take advantage of their improved system and get your LLC formation moving.
Jake Lawson is an LLC Formation Strategist and Tax Advisor who has successfully guided over 1,200 entrepreneurs through U.S. business formation. He specializes in helping both domestic and international entrepreneurs navigate state-specific requirements and provides unbiased formation service reviews at llciyo.com.