A Texas entity search through the Secretary of State database is the fastest and most reliable way to verify any business registered to operate in the Lone Star State. Consequently, entrepreneurs, attorneys, lenders, real estate professionals, and consumers regularly use entity searches to confirm company legitimacy, find registered agent information, and conduct due diligence before entering business relationships. This guide covers how to perform a Texas entity search, what the results mean, and when to use the free versus paid search tools.
What Is a Texas Entity Search?
A Texas entity search queries the Texas Secretary of State’s official business registration database — the definitive record of every business entity authorized to operate in Texas. Furthermore, this database includes domestic Texas entities (formed under Texas law) and foreign entities (formed in other states or countries) that have registered to do business in Texas. As a result, the database covers the full universe of legally registered businesses operating in the state, from single-member LLCs to Fortune 500 corporations.
How to Perform a Texas Entity Search
- Go to sos.state.tx.us and click on Business Organizations
- Select Search or look for the entity search link on the Business Organizations landing page
- Choose to search by Entity Name, File Number, or Registered Agent Name
- Enter your search term — partial names work for name searches and return all matching entities
- Review the results list for the entity you are researching
- Click on the entity name to open the full record with status, registered agent, and filing history
Understanding Texas Entity Search Results
The entity search results page shows the most critical information for due diligence. The Status field shows whether the entity is Active (in good standing) or Forfeited (registration lapsed). Furthermore, the Registered Agent field shows the current agent authorized to receive legal notices — a current registered agent indicates an actively maintained business, while a vacant or outdated agent can signal a defunct operation. As a result of these two fields, most verification needs can be satisfied from the basic free search without needing paid document retrieval.
Texas Entity Types in the Database
- Domestic LLC — Texas Limited Liability Company, the most common small business structure
- Domestic Corporation — Texas corporation with shareholders and a board of directors
- Domestic LP — Texas Limited Partnership, common in real estate and investment
- Domestic Nonprofit — Texas nonprofit corporations for charitable or educational purposes
- Foreign LLC — LLC formed in another state that registered to do business in Texas
- Foreign Corporation — Corporation from another state registered in Texas
- Professional Corporation — Licensed professional (doctor, lawyer, CPA) corporations
SOSDirect for Advanced Research
For professional research needs — including document retrieval, certified copies, and bulk entity searches — the Texas Secretary of State’s SOSDirect paid platform provides comprehensive access. Furthermore, legal and financial professionals who regularly research Texas entities typically maintain SOSDirect accounts for the document retrieval functionality that the free public search does not provide. As a result, the choice between free search and SOSDirect depends on whether you need the actual formation documents or just verification of status and registered agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Texas entity search?
A Texas entity search is a lookup of the Texas Secretary of State database to find information about registered business entities — including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits — registered to operate in Texas.
Where do I do a Texas entity search?
Perform a Texas entity search at the official Texas Secretary of State website at sos.state.tx.us. Navigate to Business Organizations to access the free public search tool.
What information does a Texas entity search return?
A Texas entity search returns the entity name, file number, entity type, formation date, registered agent name and address, current status (active or forfeited), and state of formation for foreign entities.
Is a Texas entity search free?
Basic Texas entity searches are free at sos.state.tx.us. More detailed document retrieval through SOSDirect requires a paid account. The free search provides sufficient information for most due diligence and verification needs.
How do I find out if a Texas business is still active?
Search the Texas Secretary of State database and check the Status field on the entity record. Active means the business is in good standing. Forfeited means the business has lost its registration, potentially indicating it is no longer operating.
Find more Texas government resource guides in our Texas Guide. You can also read our Texas Secretary of State Business Search guide for the companion reference. Additionally, our Texas Business Entity Search guide covers the broader search context.
