How to search Texas business entities online
Official Resource
Texas Official SOS WebsiteTexas business entity searches go through SOSDirect, the Secretary of State's paid access system at direct.sos.state.tx.us. Unlike most states, Texas has no free public entity lookup — every search costs $1.00 (waived if you place an order or filing on the search results) and requires a pre-funded SOSDirect account. Account creation is free; the account must be loaded with funds before searching.
Updated August 2026
Texas entity search is not free
Unlike most states, Texas has no free public business entity lookup. Every SOSDirect search costs $1.00 (waived if you place an order or filing on the results) and requires a pre-funded account — you must create a free account and load it with funds before you can run a single search.
What the search covers
SOSDirect covers all entity types filed with the Texas Secretary of State: domestic and foreign LLCs, for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships, registered LLPs, financial institutions, and unincorporated nonprofit associations. Assumed names filed by corporations and LLCs with the SOS are searchable here too; DBAs filed by individuals and general partnerships at the county clerk level are not in this system.
Search options
SOSDirect offers more search modes than most state portals:
- Find-Entity — by current or historical registered entity name
- Find-Supplemental — searches assumed names, trademarks, and associated entity names
- Find-Global — combines Find-Entity and Find-Supplemental results
- Find-Assumed Name — for DBA registrations filed with the SOS
- Filing Number — the 10-digit Texas SOS document identifier
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
- Texas Taxpayer ID (TID)
- Document Number — for retrieving a specific filed document
- Find-People — search entities by managing person or designated agent name
- Find-Registered Agent — by agent name, including a 60-day registered-agent-activity lookup
- Name Availability — checks whether a proposed name is available for registration
No SOS annual report — the Comptroller handles it
Texas does not require LLCs or corporations to file annual reports with the Secretary of State. Ongoing compliance runs through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which administers the Franchise Tax. Entities must file a Franchise Tax Report and a Public Information Report (PIR) or Ownership Information Report (OIR) annually by May 15, regardless of revenue. The no-tax-due threshold for the 2026–2027 report years is $2.65 million in annualized total revenue; entities at or below the threshold owe no tax and, since the 2024 report year, are no longer required to file a separate No Tax Due Report — only the PIR or OIR.
Fax filing eliminated September 2025
As of September 15, 2025, the Texas SOS no longer accepts filings by fax, per Senate Bill 2411. Submissions must go through SOSDirect (online), SOSUpload, by mail, courier, or in person at the Austin office.
This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Texas Secretary of State's office. Verify current procedures at the official state website. Last verified: August 2026.