Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) Texas, Costs Explained

Overview

If you plan to operate in Texas under a name different from your legal entity or personal name, you’ll likely file an Assumed Name Certificate (a “DBA”). The cost depends on who you are and where you file. Filing entities (LLC, corporation, LP/LLP, professional association, foreign filing entity) file Form 503 with the Texas Secretary of State (SOS) for a $25 state fee, with an additional 2.7% credit-card convenience fee if you pay by card through SOSDirect; expedited processing (Texas Express) is optional and extra. Unincorporated businesses (sole proprietors and general partnerships) file with the county clerk in their principal Texas county (or each county where they do business if no Texas office) and pay a county-set fee—commonly about $20–$25 for the first signer, with small add-ons for extra signers, copies, and certifications. The certificate is a notice filing (not a trademark), lasts up to 10 years, and must be renewed by refiling before it expires; if you stop using the name, you should file an abandonment (Form 504 at state level; county form locally).

Who Can Apply for an Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) in Texas

Texas law allows most business operators to file an Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) when they use a name different from their legal one. The correct filing authority and process depend on your business structure:

• Sole Proprietors: File with the county clerk in the county of your principal business location. If you have no Texas office, file in each county where you conduct business.
• General Partnerships: File with the county clerk in the county of the main office, listing all partners and ensuring signatures are notarized.
• LLCs, Corporations, LPs, LLPs, Professional Associations: File Form 503 with the Texas Secretary of State. This filing covers the entire state, replacing county-level filings after legislative updates.
• Foreign Entities: Out-of-state entities registered to do business in Texas must also file Form 503 with the Secretary of State for any assumed name used within Texas.
• Franchise or Online Businesses: May file separate DBAs for each brand they operate under one entity.

Filing is not required when using only your exact legal name (e.g., “John Smith”). However, adding words such as “& Co.” or “Consulting” transforms it into an assumed name and requires registration.

Benefits of Filing a Texas Assumed Name Certificate

• Ensures Legal Compliance: Operating without a DBA when required can trigger penalties or block access to banking, permitting, or tax registration.
• Enables Banking & Payments: Banks and payment processors require a DBA certificate to open business accounts and accept payments under your operating name.
• Improves Brand Recognition: Lets you market and advertise under multiple brand names without forming separate entities.
• Provides Public Transparency: Customers and agencies can verify who owns a business, reducing fraud risk and building trust.
• Offers Operational Flexibility: Simplifies rebranding and expansion without restructuring the entire entity.
• Supports Vendor & Government Compliance: Fulfills W-9 and state procurement requirements for proof of legal operation.
• Facilitates Organized Record Keeping: Creates an official record that can be referenced in contracts and tax filings.
• Ensures Longevity: Up to 10-year term with easy renewal helps maintain business continuity.
• Enhances Professional Credibility: Invoices, signage, and marketing aligned with your public name convey reliability and legitimacy.
• Delivers High ROI: Filing costs are minimal — typically $20–$25 for county filings or $25 for state filings — making this one of the most cost-effective compliance investments for Texas businesses.

Step 1: Map Your Cost Path — State vs. County, and Why It Matters

Start by determining who you are under Texas law because your cost structure flows from your filing authority. If you are a Texas or foreign filing entity (LLC, corporation—profit or nonprofit—LP/LLP, professional association), you file Form 503 with the Secretary of State. Your base cost is a flat $25 filing fee, regardless of the number of owners, counties of use, or the length of the term (up to ten years). If you pay by credit card online, add a 2.7% convenience fee. If you need speed, the SOS offers Texas Express expedited services for an additional fee (typical same-day or next-day tiers). As a result, a typical “all-in” state filing often lands just above $25 when paid online, with the exact total depending on whether you buy certified copies and whether you choose to expedite.

If you are unincorporated (sole proprietor or general partnership), you do not use Form 503. Instead, you file in your county clerk’s office. County fees vary by local schedule, but examples illustrate the pattern: Dallas County lists $23 for the first signature, $0.50 for each additional signer, plus small amounts for acknowledgments or certified copies; Lubbock County shows $23 to file, $0.50 each additional owner, $2 per copy, and $5 certification, with an abandonment fee of $23; Smith County quotes $24 for the first signature and $0.50 for each additional; Grayson County publishes a base $12.50 plus $4 for each additional page and $0.50 per additional registrant/owner. These are illustrative — check your clerk for the current schedule, but they demonstrate that county DBA costs are modest and primarily driven by signers, pages, and copies.

Now, why does this mapping matter beyond the fee itself? Because 2019 legislative changes (HB 3609) eliminated county-level filings for state-level filing entities. In other words, if you are an LLC, corporation, LP/LLP, etc., you file only at the state, not the counties; that spares you duplicate county fees and administration. Meanwhile, unincorporated businesses still file only at the county level (in the principal-office county, or in each county where they do business if they have no Texas office). That clean separation prevents redundant spend. Pair that with the 10-year maximum duration and the expectation that any material change (like moving to a new entity form) requires a new certificate within 60 days, and you’ve got the cost frame for the next decade.

Step 2: Precisely Calculate State-Level Costs (Form 503) and When to Pay More

For filing entities, your base cost is simple: $25 filing fee for Form 503. Add a 2.7% convenience fee if paying by credit card (SOSDirect), and consider whether you need optional services: expedited processing (Texas Express) and certified copies. Certified copies are frequently requested by banks and procurement teams; they’re inexpensive relative to the overall process and can save time later when onboarding vendors or opening a bank account. The SOS fee schedule and the Form 503 instruction page together are your authoritative sources for these numbers and the payment mechanics.

Let’s translate that into real totals. A straightforward online filing paid by card typically looks like: $25 base + 2.7% card fee (about $0.68) ≈ $25.68. If you add one certified copy and a certificate of fact during the same session, you’ll incur nominal per-page charges and a certification fee (the exact totals depend on the document length and selections you make in SOSDirect). Need it fast? Add the expedite fee (commonly $25 for rush handling) and you’re still under the cost of most one-hour attorney consults. From a TCO (total cost of ownership) standpoint, the delta between “standard” and “expedited + certified copy” filings is typically tens of dollars, not hundreds — which is often worth it if a bank or marketplace onboarding is time-sensitive.

Two more cost levers are easy to overlook. First, duration: you can select up to 10 years in one shot. Choosing the maximum term avoids repeat filings (and repeat convenience/expedite/copy fees). Second, change-driven refiles: there’s no amendment mechanism for an assumed name; material changes require a new certificate within 60 days. If you expect an impending structural shift (e.g., converting a Texas LLC to a Delaware parent), time your DBA filing to avoid paying twice in quick succession. The cheapest filing is the one you do once, at maximum term, with the right facts the first time.

Finally, budget for lifecycle actions. If you stop using the name, file Form 504 (Abandonment) with the SOS to cleanly retire the record; if you’re purely county-filed, the county has its own abandonment form and fee. On renewal, remember it’s a fresh filing — same fee model as day one — so set a calendar tickler 6–9 months before expiry to avoid last-minute expedite fees. {index=7}

Step 3: Decode County-Level Costs (Sole Proprietors & General Partnerships)

For unincorporated businesses, costs are set by your county clerk and usually comprise a base recording fee plus small add-ons for extra signers, pages, and certified copies. To build a realistic budget, look at several counties (even if you won’t file in each) so you understand the range and what drives it. For example, Dallas County charges $23 for the first signature, $0.50 per additional signer, and modest amounts for acknowledgments; Lubbock County posts $23 to file, $0.50 per added owner, $2 per copy, and $5 per certification, with $23 to abandon/withdraw; Smith County lists $24 for the first signature, $0.50 each additional; Grayson County shows a base $12.50 plus $4 per additional page and $0.50 per extra registrant/owner. The practical takeaway is that county DBAs generally run in the low-to-mid-$20s and scale gently with signers and paperwork.

Two tactical tips lower your friction and incidental costs. First, sign correctly the first time. Many counties require in-person notarization or notarized signatures from all owners; missing a partner’s in-person signature can force a second trip (and sometimes a second fee if a new instrument is required). Second, order certified copies at the counter. Banks, landlords, and some marketplaces won’t accept a plain photocopy; buying one or two certified copies ($5–$10 typical total in many counties) up front avoids mailing delays and extra visits. In higher-traffic counties, you may see modest card-processing or kiosk fees when paying by credit/debit; if that’s an issue, bring cash or a money order.

What about multi-county business? If you maintain no Texas principal office, the statute expects you to file in each county where you do business; practically, that means multiplying the county fee by the number of counties. If you do have a Texas principal office, you file only in that county. Either way, consider whether forming an LLC (with one $25 state DBA filing under Form 503) plus a single registered office might reduce your long-run DBA administration spend if you’re expanding across several counties. The fee math isn’t the only factor (liability, taxes, governance matter too), but from a DBA-cost standpoint, the entity route can be cleaner over a multi-county footprint.

Step 4: Filing Options — Online, Mail, and In-Person Cost Differences

Once you know your filing authority (state or county), the next step is selecting your submission channel. Texas supports three routes: online through SOSDirect, mail or fax to the Secretary of State, and in-person filings at the Austin office or county clerk’s desk. The costs vary only slightly between these methods, but timing, convenience, and add-on fees make a practical difference.

Online filings (SOSDirect): Base $25 fee plus 2.7% card surcharge. Immediate electronic acknowledgment and downloadable copy; optional certified copy for about $15. Average total: $25.68–$40 depending on extras. Turnaround: within two business days, often same-day during non-peak hours.

Mail or fax filings: Still $25, but add postage or fax fees. Processing can take 7–10 business days. If you request expedited handling, add another $25, effectively doubling cost but cutting processing time to one business day. Include Form 806 (payment authorization) if faxing.

In-person filings (state or county clerk): Counties typically charge $20–$25; some accept card payments with minor convenience fees (1–3%). State counter filings add $25 expedite if you want same-day service. For local filings, notary fees ($5–$10) may apply if documents are notarized onsite.

From a cost-efficiency perspective, online filings are best for registered entities, while in-person works well for sole proprietors who need notarization and certified copies immediately. Balancing small add-ons (certification, expedite, or card fee) with your timeline yields the most economical route overall.

Step 5: Understanding Certified Copy and Expedite Fees

The base $25 (state) or ~$25 (county) fee covers filing only — not certified copies or expedite handling. These optional charges often surprise first-time filers but serve important administrative functions. A certified copy is an officially stamped duplicate proving your filing’s authenticity; it’s routinely requested by banks, leasing agents, and government contractors. At the state level, certified copies typically add $1 per page + $15 certification fee. Counties charge $5–$10 per certified copy.

Expedite fees: At the Secretary of State’s office, adding $25 expedite ensures same-day or next-day turnaround for mailed or in-person filings. This fee doesn’t apply to SOSDirect submissions because they process almost instantly. County clerks rarely offer expedited options — you usually receive approval on the spot.

While it might seem minor, skipping a certified copy can delay banking and permit applications. If you expect to apply for sales tax permits, small-business loans, or vendor registrations, order at least one certified copy when you file. Buying it later may require a separate written request, adding days and postage.

Think of the certified-copy fee as part of your “activation cost.” Without it, your DBA is valid legally but practically unusable for key transactions. Budget $40–$50 total if you need an authenticated record immediately.

Step 6: Renewal and Abandonment Cost Planning

Texas Assumed Name Certificates expire automatically after their stated term (maximum 10 years). There is no separate renewal form — you simply refile as if new, paying the same fee structure: $25 to the Secretary of State or about $20–$25 to a county clerk.

To abandon a name voluntarily, the state requires Form 504 (Abandonment of Assumed Name), which costs the same $25 filing fee as the initial certificate. Counties use their own abandonment forms, typically priced identically to the base filing fee ($20–$25). There’s no penalty for abandonment; it formally removes your business name from public use so another party may adopt it later.

Budget for one of three life-cycle actions:

• Renewal (every 10 years): $25 – $30 average total.
• Abandonment (anytime): $25 – $30 average total.
• Replacement after change: $25 – $30 average total if your entity name, structure, or county changes.

By accounting for these recurring fees, you can estimate a full 10-year cost of ownership for your assumed name at about $50–$80 total when including one renewal or abandonment plus copies.

Step 7: Correcting or Refilling a Rejected Application

If your filing is rejected — typically for incomplete fields, conflicting names, or missing signatures — you must refile. The Secretary of State and most counties do not offer partial refunds, so you’ll pay the full fee again ($25 state / $20–$25 county). Minor corrections like typographical errors are often handled via a new certificate referencing the previous filing rather than an amendment, since Texas has no amendment mechanism for assumed names.

You can minimize re-filing costs by:

• Performing a full name search before submission (state and county).
• Ensuring all owners’ names match government ID and entity records.
• Having documents notarized correctly (where required).
• Reviewing county-specific formatting — some reject if “LLC” appears in a sole-proprietor filing.

While a duplicate $25 may sound minor, repeated errors multiply quickly. Treat the filing as a one-time compliance event — verify every detail before submission.

Step 8: Cost Breakdown by Business Type

Here’s a snapshot of average total costs, assuming one certified copy and no expedite:

The figures highlight how accessible DBA registration is in Texas — generally under $50 even with premium options.

Step 9: Comparing DBA Costs with Other Compliance Filings

In context, the Assumed Name Certificate is one of the most affordable business filings in Texas. For perspective:

• LLC formation: $300 state filing fee.
• For-profit corporation formation: $300.
• Certificate of authority (foreign entity): $750.
• Trademark registration (state): $50 per class.

Compared with these, the DBA’s $25 cost is nominal — yet it delivers operational legality for branding, banking, and marketing. This low-barrier entry is why many Texas entrepreneurs test business ideas under DBAs before forming full entities.

Step 10: Budgeting and Final Cost Summary

To estimate your total DBA cost in Texas, include every realistic component:

• Filing Fee: $25 (SOS) or ~$25 (county)
• Convenience or Card Fee: $0.68 (approx.)
• Certified Copy: $5–$15 (typ.)
• Expedite (optional): $25 (state only)
• Notarization (if needed): $5–$10
• Postage or travel (if mailing/in-person): $2–$10

Adding these, your complete cost typically ranges $30 – $50 for standard processing and $55 – $75 with expedite and extras. Over a 10-year life cycle, the total ownership cost remains well under $100 — a remarkably low compliance investment for a decade of brand legitimacy and banking readiness.

Associated Costs (Texas Assumed Name / DBA)

• Secretary of State filing (Form 503): $25 base fee for LLCs, corporations, LP/LLP, professional associations, and foreign filing entities.
• County clerk filing (sole proprietors & general partnerships): Typically $20–$25 base fee; small add-ons may apply for extra owners, pages, or indexing per local schedule.
• Certified copies: State: usually per-page plus a certification fee; County: commonly $5–$10 per certified copy. Banks and vendors often require one.
• Expedite (state, optional): Add $25 if you request expedited handling for mail/counter filings. Online SOSDirect submissions are already fast.
• Payment/convenience fees: Small card surcharges may apply online or at some county counters.
• Notary (if needed): Typically $5–$10 if notarized at the counter.
• Renewal: There is no special renewal form; you refile and pay the same fee (state: $25; county: local base fee).
• Abandonment: If you stop using the name, file an abandonment (state Form 504 or county form); fee mirrors a standard filing (state: $25; county: local base fee).

Rule of thumb: A straightforward DBA with one certified copy generally totals $30–$50 at the state or county; with expedite and extras, expect $55–$75.

Time Required

• Online (SOSDirect, state filers): Often same-day acknowledgment; commonly within 1–2 business days.
• Mail/Fax to Secretary of State: About 7–10 business days; with expedite, commonly 1 business day after receipt.
• In-person at county clerk (sole props/partnerships): Usually same-day indexing and certified copy issuance, subject to counter volume.
• Certificate term: Up to 10 years; refile before expiration to maintain continuity.

Limitations

• No liability shield: A DBA is a notice filing only; it does not create a separate legal entity or protect personal assets.
• No exclusivity/trademark rights: A DBA does not grant naming exclusivity; consider state or federal trademark registration for brand protection.
• No amendments: Material changes (entity name/type, principal office, ownership) require filing a new certificate; there is no “amend” form.
• Naming restrictions apply: Words implying regulated activities (e.g., “Bank,” “Insurance,” “University”) may require approvals or are prohibited without licensure.
• Multi-county rule (unincorporated): If you have no Texas principal office, you must file in each county where you do business.

Authoritative Links

• Texas Secretary of State — Business & Nonprofit Forms (Form 503 & 504)
• SOSDirect — Online Filing & Copies
• Texas.gov — Business & Employer Resources
• Texas Comptroller — Taxable Entity Search
• USPTO — Trademark Search (TESS)