Texas Secretary of State office — contact, fees & licensing
Updated August 2026
Official Resource
Texas Official SOS WebsiteThe Texas Secretary of State's Business & Public Filings Division handles entity formations, amendments, registered agent designations, and certificates of existence. Filings can be submitted through SOSDirect (online), by mail, courier, or in person at the Austin office; fax filing was discontinued September 15, 2025. The Texas Express same-day and next-day service is available only for in-person filings at 400 W. 15th St.
Office contact
- Walk-in address
- 400 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 (lobby hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; a temporary relocation from the office's prior address)
- Courier / express delivery
- 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701
- Mailing address
- P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711
- Phone
- (512) 463-5555
- Office hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time
- SOSDirect (search & filing)
- direct.sos.state.tx.us
- Franchise Tax (Comptroller)
- comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/franchise
No free entity search on SOSDirect
SOSDirect requires a pre-funded client account and charges $1.00 per search — Texas has no free public search of the Secretary of State's own business entity database. Business owners who only need to confirm an entity's franchise-tax standing or right to transact business can instead use the Texas Comptroller's free Taxable Entity Search, which does not require an account and is searchable by name, taxpayer number, SOS file number, or federal EIN.
Entity formation and filing fees
Texas charges $300 for LLC and for-profit corporation formations, among the higher formation fees in the country. Nonprofit formations are $25. There is no SOS annual report — ongoing compliance runs through the Texas Comptroller's Franchise Tax system. A 2.7% credit card convenience fee applies to online payments through SOSDirect.
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic LLC — Certificate of Formation | $300 |
| Domestic LLC — SOS Annual Report | None (franchise tax to Comptroller) |
| Domestic For-Profit Corporation — Certificate of Formation | $300 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Certificate of Formation | $25 |
| Nonprofit — Periodic Report (to SOS) | $5 |
| Name Reservation (120 days) | $40 |
| Certificate of Existence / Certificate of Fact — Status | $15 |
| Long-form Certificate of Fact | $25 |
| SOSDirect entity search (per search) | $1.00 |
| Standard expedited processing (2–3 business days) | +$50/document |
| Texas Express — Next-Day (in-person Austin only) | +$500/document |
| Texas Express — Same-Day (in-person Austin only) | +$750/document |
Key Texas state licensing agencies
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- What it covers
- Franchise Tax, sales and use tax, PIR/OIR annual filings, Texas tax permits
- Website
- comptroller.texas.gov
Texas Workforce Commission
- What it covers
- Unemployment insurance registration, employer accounts, payroll tax reporting
- Website
- twc.texas.gov
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- What it covers
- Contractor licensing, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, cosmetology, and 30+ other license types
- Website
- tdlr.texas.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free way to check a Texas business's status?
Yes. While SOSDirect charges $1.00 per search and requires a funded account, the Texas Comptroller's free Taxable Entity Search doesn't require an account and lets you check franchise-tax standing by name, taxpayer number, SOS file number, or federal EIN.
How much does same-day filing cost at the Texas Secretary of State?
Texas Express same-day service is $750 per document, and next-day service is $500 per document — both available only for in-person filings at the Austin office at 400 W. 15th St.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?
$300 for a Certificate of Formation — among the higher formation fees in the country, and the same amount charged for a for-profit corporation. Nonprofit formation is much lower, at $25.
This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Texas Secretary of State's office or any state agency listed above. Contact information and fees verified against official Texas Secretary of State sources, August 2026. Annual compliance (Franchise Tax, PIR/OIR) is handled by the Texas Comptroller — not the SOS. Verify current fees at the official state website. Last verified: August 2026.