Order Form: Texas LLC

The total flat fee depends on the options you select in this questionnaire. The total/itemized flat fee can be viewed at the end of the questionnaire. You can view the total anytime by clicking "Checkout" at the top right of the questionnaire.

The LLC must have a principal office where business records will be maintained. The business address is also used in the EIN application and then the IRS will use the business address to determine the primary county in which the business is located.

Yes. Many of our customers do not have a business address and will use their home address.

Your business name must not be the same as, or deceptively similar to, any other names on file with the Texas Secretary of State. To determine if your desired name is already registered in the TX SOS database, you may call the TX SOS at (512) 463-5555. Please note that an approval by the Secretary of State of the desired business name does not mean that your use of the name will not infringe on another's intellectual property rights or result in a future lawsuit. When doing your due diligence, you should not limit your research to Texas records or any one database. Rather you should conduct a comprehensive search including, but not limited to state, federal and international trademarks along with common law rights. The Texas Secretary of State will search only their database and reject a name that is an exact match or similar to existing business name. WE DO NOT PROVIDE OPINIONS ON WHETHER A NAME IS AVAILABLE OR WHETHER YOU WILL POTENTIALLY INFRINGE ON ANOTHER’S RIGHTS.

Read more about the rules on naming a Texas LLC →

Capital Contributions are the amounts each owner contributes to the business (that are not loans). The initial capital contribution is sometimes considered the purchase price for the owner's ownership percentage. The initial capital contribution can be a nominal figure like $100 or the actual amount the member is supposed to contribute to the new business in return for being an owner of the business. The initial capital contribution should not be a made up number (each owner will need to actually contribute the initial capital contribution to the business).

All LLCs will have owners (aka members). In Texas, LLCs have the option to have "managers" in addition to the members (the managers are typically also members). If the LLC does not elect to have Managers, it will be member-managed (i.e. governed by the members). Each member votes their ownership %. For example, in a four member LLC (one that owns 40% and the remaining three 20% each) you can get a simple majority (more than 51%) if the three 20% owners agree OR one of the 20% owners along with the 40% owner agree. If the LLC elects to have "managers" then the LLC will be governed by managers and we call this a manager-managed LLC. In a manager-managed LLC, the members will elect the managers and the managers will govern the LLC. A manager-managed LLC resembles a corporation where you have shareholders (equivalent to members) and directors (equivalent to managers).

Unlike a corporation, an LLC is NOT required to have officers. Many LLC owners desire to have a title like president or CEO rather than managing member or manager. In this scenario the LLC can elect to have officers.

Yes, as long as you meet the following requirements: (1) the registered agent must consent to the appointment (we will handle for you); (2) the registered agent must be located in Texas; and (3) the registered agent's address must be a physical address (not a PO Box or mail service) in Texas where the registered agent can be located. If you can't meet all of these requirements (or don't want to be bothered with registered agent duties), we can hire a professional registered agent for you for $120/year.

Read more about registered agents →

1. Stability – The registered agent’s address must be kept current with the Texas Secretary of State. A professional registered agent shouldn’t move, but if they ever do, they are keenly aware of of this requirement and will promptly file a change of registered address with the TXSOS. Updating timely is important as you do not want to miss an important notice or receipt of a lawsuit.
2. Reliability – Professional registered agents maintain records of when and what they received on behalf of their clients.
3. Privacy - If you appoint yourself as your LLC’s registered agent, and you don’t have a separate business address, you may be tempted to use your home address to receive service of process. This perfectly legal—however, it may not be advisable. Your LLC’s registered agent address is kept on file with the state as a matter of public record, meaning that anyone who wants to look up the address can easily do so. This includes websites and scammers who pull data from state websites in bulk, and sell the information to marketers. Using a professional registered agent can help you keep your home address private.
4. Avoid Embarrassment - If your LLC is ever sued, a process server or police officer may show up at your home or place of visit to present you with a summons. It can be embarrassing to be served in front of employees, customers or friends—and it can impact your business’s reputation. Hiring a registered agent protects your privacy, as your registered agent will receive all legal documents on your behalf, and notify you promptly and discreetly.
5. Stay on top of state filings - Many professional registered agents don’t just receive documents on your behalf—they may also help you keep track of official notices and annual report due dates with the state. Using automated systems, they make it easier to remain in compliance, and give you one less thing to worry about. Professional registered agents can also digitize your important documents, making it easier to store and organize them, all in one place.
6. Expand with ease - If your LLC  operates in more than one state, you will be required to provide registered agent information for each state—with a physical address in that state. A professional registered agent can provide you with a physical addresses in any state in which you wish to register.
7. Keep any office hours you like - Registered agents must be available during normal business hours—but if you don’t keep regular hours, this can be a problem. Working with a professional registered agent allows you to work any hours you wish, knowing your agent will be able to accept paperwork and notices on your behalf during typical business hours.
8. Travel without worry - Business owners who travel often may worry about missing important mail when they are away from the office. With a professional registered agent, you can continue to receive mail and alerts while traveling, via electronic delivery. You can also continue to receive mail if you move, or if your business changes its address, without being required to update your information with the state.

Read more about the benefits of a professional registered agent.