Filing & Other General FAQs

Office of the Texas Secretary of State

The answers to our Frequently Asked Questions are provided for informational purposes and are not intended to provide legal advice or to substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you have specific legal questions, consult your attorney.

Signing Documents

  1. Who can sign a document filed with the secretary of state under the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC)?
  2. How should my documents be signed? Does the form of the signature matter?
  3. Does the signature on my document need to be notarized?

Who can sign a document filed with the secretary of state under the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC)?

Who can sign a document filed with the secretary of state depends on the type of entity, whether the entity is domestic or foreign, and the type of document. For Texas filing entities, use the table below. For other types of entities, see the information following the domestic entities table. Authorized signers for domestic filing entities. Instructions for table: Choose the type of entity at the top and the type of document on the left. The cell where the two choices match up contains the answer to who can sign the document. For example, a nonprofit corporation certificate of formation must be signed by each organizer.

Formation Correction (BOC § 4.101) A person authorized to sign the document being corrected

Amendment

Change of registered agent by entity

Merger*

Conversion

Termination

Reinstatement
after termination for non-tax reasons

Reinstatement after tax forfeiture (Tax Code § 171.313)

How should my documents be signed? Does the form of the signature matter?

Does the signature on my document need to be notarized?

Submitting Documents

  1. How do I submit my documents to the secretary of state for filing?
  2. Does the secretary of state require an “original” document containing a wet ink signature?
  3. May I file now and make my filing effective at a later date and/or time?

How do I submit my documents to the secretary of state for filing?

Does the secretary of state require an “original” document containing a wet ink signature?

May I file now and make my filing effective at a later date and/or time?

  1. a reservation of a name,
  2. a registration of a name,
  3. a statement of event or fact filing, or
  4. a certificate of abandonment.

In addition, there is no provision in Chapter 71 of the Business & Commerce Code for delayed effectiveness for an assumed name certificates or an abandonment of assumed name certificate.

Fees & Payment

  1. What is the fee for my filing?
  2. What methods of payment are available? To whom do I make out my check?
  3. Can I have you bill me for the filing fees or pay on an installment plan?

What is the fee for my filing?

What methods of payment are available? To whom do I make out my check?

Can I have you bill me for the filing fees or pay on an installment plan?

Copies & Certificates

  1. How do I order copies or certificates from the secretary of state?
  2. How do I obtain a certificate showing the status of my company?
  3. When will I receive my order?
  4. Can I get my certificate in color instead of black and white?

How do I order copies or certificates from the secretary of state?

How do I obtain a certificate showing the status of my company?

When will I receive my order?

Can I get my certificate in color instead of black and white?