Naming Your Texas Corporation

If you’re incorporating in Texas, your business must include either the word or an abbreviation of one of the following in its name:

• Corporation
• Incorporated
• Company
• Limited

The corporation’s name must not imply a purpose other than that stated in the Certificate of Formation. Also, the corporate name may not be the same as or deceptively similar to any domestic or foreign corporation’s reserved or registered name unless the corporation files written consent from the user with the Secretary of State.

In addition, there are numerous further restrictions on what you name your corporation if you incorporate in Texas:

• Symbols cannot be part of the corporation’s name.
• The corporate name may not contain the word “Lottery.”
• Superscript or subscript letters or numbers will not appear in the official corporate name.
• Words tied to education (for example, “School” or “Seminary”) may be used in a corporation’s name only with the approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Approval is required prior to use in a corporation’s name for words that imply powers of banking or trust or ties to Veterans (including “War”).

Professionals May Incorporate in Texas

Texas permits professionals such as accountants, attorneys and physicians, to form a professional corporation (PC).

Texas Director Requirements

Texas requires that a corporation have one or more directors. Texas does not specify where directors must reside, or have age requirements for directors. However, director names and addresses must be listed in the Certificate of Formation.

Texas Certificate of Formation Requirements

In Texas, the document required to form a corporation is called the Certificate of Formation, rather than the more commonly used Articles of Incorporation. When incorporating in Texas, the Certificate of Formation must include the name and address of your Registered Agent with a physical address (a post office box does not meet this requirement) in Texas. Your Registered Agent in Texas must be available during normal business hours to accept important legal and tax documents on behalf of the corporation.

When incorporating in Texas, the director names and addresses are required to be listed in the Certificate of Formation. However, the names and addresses of officers are not required to be listed. In addition, while authorized shares and par value must be listed in the Certificate of Formation, an increase in the number of shares or par value does not affect initial filing fees.

Cost of Incorporating in Texas

For information on the costs associated with incorporating in Texas and our incorporation services, contact CT—we’re here to help.