Question
What are the requirements for naming an LLC in Texas?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
When naming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Texas, there are several requirements and considerations you must keep in mind:
1. **LLC Designator**: The name must include the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviations "LLC" or "L.L.C." This distinguishes it as a limited liability entity.
2. **Distinctiveness**: The name must be distinguishable from the names of other existing entities registered in Texas. It cannot be too similar to the name of another LLC or any other business entity in the state.
3. **Prohibited Words**: Certain words are restricted or prohibited in LLC names. These may include terms that suggest a connection to a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury), terms that imply illegal purposes, or titles that may confuse the public (e.g., bank, trust, insurance, cooperative) unless the LLC is authorized to engage in such activities.
4. **Availability**: You should check the availability of your desired name in the Texas Secretary of State's records. This can often be done through their online business name search tool.
5. **Legal Compliance**: The name should comply with Texas laws and regulations, and it should not infringe on existing trademarks.
6. **No Misleading Names**: The name should not be misleading about the nature of the business or imply that it is engaged in activities outside its actual business scope.
Once you have ensured that your desired name meets these criteria, you can proceed to register it when you file your Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. It's also wise to consider securing a matching domain name for your business's online presence.
1. **LLC Designator**: The name must include the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviations "LLC" or "L.L.C." This distinguishes it as a limited liability entity.
2. **Distinctiveness**: The name must be distinguishable from the names of other existing entities registered in Texas. It cannot be too similar to the name of another LLC or any other business entity in the state.
3. **Prohibited Words**: Certain words are restricted or prohibited in LLC names. These may include terms that suggest a connection to a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury), terms that imply illegal purposes, or titles that may confuse the public (e.g., bank, trust, insurance, cooperative) unless the LLC is authorized to engage in such activities.
4. **Availability**: You should check the availability of your desired name in the Texas Secretary of State's records. This can often be done through their online business name search tool.
5. **Legal Compliance**: The name should comply with Texas laws and regulations, and it should not infringe on existing trademarks.
6. **No Misleading Names**: The name should not be misleading about the nature of the business or imply that it is engaged in activities outside its actual business scope.
Once you have ensured that your desired name meets these criteria, you can proceed to register it when you file your Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. It's also wise to consider securing a matching domain name for your business's online presence.