If you are looking to research the availability of your proposed entity name, or you are simply aiming to access the business details of an entity on file with the Secretary of State, you may do so through the employment of the business entity search function. It will be necessary that you first log into your account prior to performing your inquiry (a tutorial for account registration can be found here). There are numerous ways in which an entity search can be performed, each of which has been examined below in detail. Before we begin, it should be noted that there will be a $1 charged associated with each inquiry made.

Name Availability Search

Step 1- All business filers must first log into their online account with the Secretary of State. This task can be accomplished by submitting the user ID and password into the appropriate fields on this webpage and clicking Submit.

Step 2- A secondary page will have you submitting your payment method followed by your contact information which will include your full name, phone number and email address.

Step 3- Your payment information will need to be submitted next. They will ask that you include the following:

• Card type
• Card number
• Expiration date
• Security code
• Business name or individual name
• Full address
• Phone number

Step 4- Once everything has been supplied, you will be notified that you are currently logged in and will be provided with your session code. To advance to the business filing page, click on the Business Organizations tab in the top menu.

Step 5- Now you will have access to your home page, on which you will be able to see the list of inquiries and orders. For the purposes of this tutorial, click on the Name Availability Search function.

Step 6- On this page, you will be required to enter the name in question.

Step 7- A list of names which matches the one entered will appear. If there are no search results, it is likely that the name you are researching is indeed available for use. If the name you are inquiring about matches one that is in use, it is likely that your filing will be rejected should you decide to register with that name. Clicking on the filing number of any entity on this list will present you with the entity details.

Step 8- Here you will be able to review such details as the filing history, formation date, tax ID.

Search by Entity Name

There are a number of different inquiries that can be performed with the use of an entity name. Ultimately they will all be used to search for an entity itself, however, the exact criteria for the search will present a different list of results. The search types that are covered in this particular guide are as follows:

• Find-Entity– A search used to retrieve information on active and inactive entities that use, or have used, the name in question
• Find-Supplemental– A search used to retrieve entities with active and inactive assumed names, trademarks and the names of associated entities matching the ones you have searched
• Find-Assumed Name–  This search will display only assumed names of active and inactive entities which match the name that was entered
• Find-Global-  Used to retrieve all information found in a find-entity as well as a find-supplemental search

Step 1- To perform a search, you must first log into your online account on this webpage by providing your user ID and your password. Once entered, click Submit.

Step 2- The next page will ask you to enter your payment method followed by your contact information. Submit your contact name, phone, fax (optional), email and client reference (also optional) into the provided fields before continuing.

Step 3- Your payment information will need to be submitted next. They will ask that you provide the following:

• Card type
• Card number
• Expiration date
• Security code
• Business name or individual name
• Full address
• Phone number

Step 4- When the window appears that notifies you that you are logged in, click on the Business Organizations link at the top of the page.

Step 5- Make your selection out of the following options:

• Find-Entity
• Find-Supplemental
• Find-Global
• Find-Assumed name

Step 6- Supply the entity name into the field on this page and click Search.

Step 7- A list will be generated based on the metrics of your search. Once you’ve located your business’s name, click on the filing number located to the left of it to access the entity details.

Step 8- Here you will be able to review the filing history, the associated names, the registered agent information and all other data made available for public viewing by the Secretary of State.

Search by Filing Number, FEIN, TID Number or Document Number

The search by number option, be it a filing number , FEIN, TID number or document number, is the quickest way to access the entity details of a particular business. The search process is the same regardless of the purpose of the submitted identifier.

Step 1- First, log into your account on this webpage by submitting your user ID and password.

Step 2- It will now be required of you to submit your payment method, contact name, phone number and email address. If you wish, you may also submit your fax number and client reference number but this is not a necessity.

Step 3- Your payment information will need to be submitted next. The following data will be necesary:

• Card type
• Card number
• Expiration date
• Security code
• Business name or individual name
• Full address
• Phone number

Step 4- On this page, which will provide you with your session code, you can click on the Business Organizations heading to access your homepage.

Step 5- You will then be presented with all the inquiries available on the Texas Secretary of State website. Select your search method of choice from the list.

Step 6- The next page will present a singular search field that will ask you to submit either the document number, the filing number, the FEIN number or the tax ID of the business. Click Search once the data has been supplied.

Step 7- If entered correctly, the business details of the entity in question should be provided immediately, allowing you to view all information made available for public viewing by the Secretary of State.

Search by Registered Agent or People

Step 1- It’s necessary for all business filers to first log into their online account with the Secretary of State. This task can be accomplished by submitting the user ID and password into the appropriate fields on this webpage and clicking Submit.

Step 2- A secondary page will have you submitting your payment method followed by your contact information which will include your full name, phone number and email address.

Step 3- Your payment information will need to be submitted as follows:

• Card type
• Card number
• Expiration date
• Security code
• Business name or individual name
• Full address
• Phone number

Step 4- Here you will be notified that you are indeed logged in and you will be able to gain access to your session code. To access your homepage, click on the Business Organizations link in the above menu.

Step 5- Choose between the search by people (Find-People) option and the search by registered agent (Find-Registered Agent).

Step 6- The next page will have you supplying the name of the business or the individual. Those searching for an individual associated with the business in question will be able to supply the city and state to narrow down the search results.

Step 7- A list will be provided on the next page that will include the name of the person or registered agent and the title they hold within the company. Click on the filing number to access to entity details of the business.

Step 8- This final page will provide you with all the business entity details that the Secretary of State has made available to the public.