How to search Texas business entities online

Texas 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 and requires a pre-funded SOSDirect account. Account creation is free; the account must be loaded with funds before searching.

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 (DBAs) filed at the county clerk level are not in this system — those are county records.

Search options — nine modes

SOSDirect offers more search modes than most state portals:

• Entity Name (Find-Entity) — by current registered name
• Assumed Name (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
• 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 report year is $2.65 million in annualized total revenue — entities under this threshold still must file a no-tax-due return. Visit comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/franchise for current thresholds and forms.

Fax filing eliminated September 2025

As of September 15, 2025, the Texas SOS no longer accepts filings by fax. Submissions must go through SOSDirect (online), 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 sos.state.tx.us/corp. Source: Texas Secretary of State, verified May 2026.