An Assumed Name / DBA (Doing Business as) should be filed with the County Clerk's Office in which business is to be conducted. Unincorporated assumed name certificate forms can be completed in person or submitted by mail if notarized.
Limited Liability Company: A Texas limited liability company is created by filing a certificate of formation with the Texas Secretary of State. The Secretary of State provides a form that meets minimum state law requirements. Online filing of a certificate of formation is provided through SOSDirect.
While a general business license is not required in Texas, sole proprietorships and partnerships operating in Fort Worth need to register and file their business name – also known as a DBA ("doing business as") or assumed name – with Tarrant County.
Before you file a Certificate of Formation to start a Texas business, you can reserve the name you wish to register. A name reservation will hold your desired business name for a period of 120 days. Name reservations can be renewed if necessary.
First, the name must include the words “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations, such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” This requirement helps clarify the legal structure of the business to the public. Second, the name must be distinguishable from other LLC names already on file with the Texas Secretary of State.
In general, sole proprietorships and partnerships need to register and file the business name (DBA or assumed name) with their local county clerk's office. If you decide to incorporate, the Secretary of State's Office (SOS) website has information on choosing the right legal structure for you.
A general business license is not required in Texas. However, all entities that transact business in Texas are required to register with the Texas Secretary of State or county clerk's office.
Filing a DBA in Texas Unincorporated businesses like sole proprietorships and general partnerships must file with the county clerk in the county where their principal office is located (forms and fees vary).
Registering your DBA and doing business under that DBA name is not the same as registering your business as a legal business entity. If you register a DBA without first forming as an LLC, corporation, or some other legal entity type, the state you're doing business in recognizes your business as a sole proprietorship.