Texas Business Filing Fees: How Much Does It Cost?

State fees depend on the entity and the documents being filed. A new Texas LLC and an existing-business conversion have different costs. Verify current fees before paying.

Conversion requests start with a quote: Review conversion fees and request an itemized quote. No payment is collected during the request.

Current filing examples

A new Texas LLC has a $300 Certificate of Formation fee. A Delaware LLC converting to a Texas LLC requires $300 for the Texas conversion instrument, $300 for the Texas formation instrument, and $220 for the Delaware conversion instrument: $820 in government filing fees, before service fees, taxes, and optional extras. Delaware currently charges a $400 annual LLC tax, and the outstanding balance through the effective conversion date must be settled before filing. Other entity types and states differ.

Sources checked October 16, 2026: Texas SOS conversion fees, Delaware conversion instructions, and Delaware annual tax.

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1. Formation-Stage Fees

Document	Applies To	Purpose
Certificate of Formation	LLCs, Corporations, Nonprofits, PBCs	Creates the legal entity with the Secretary of State (SOS)
Assumed Name Certificate (State-Level)	Entities using DBAs statewide	Grants the right to operate under a trade name
Expedited Processing Request	Optional	SOS accelerates review time

Tip: Register a registered agent early; agent information must appear on the formation filing.

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2. Annual & Periodic Compliance Fees

Report	Entities Affected	Key Content
Franchise-Tax & Public-Information Report	Most for-profit entities	Revenue data, officer/director names
Periodic Report (Nonprofits)	Certain unincorporated nonprofits	Current management and address confirmation
Annual Benefit Report (Benefit Corps)	Benefit corporations	Impact metrics; no state fee but preparation cost

See annual filing overview at the Texas Comptroller .

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3. Change & Amendment Fees

• Certificate of Amendment – Update entity name, purpose, or capitalization.
• Registered-Agent Change – Required filing when switching agents/address.
• Conversion or Merger Filings – Transform entity type or combine entities.
• Restated Certificates – Consolidate all amendments into one charter.

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4. Specialized Transaction Fees

Action	Entities	Reason
Certificate of Authority (Foreign Registration)	Out-of-state LLCs/Corps entering Texas	Gains legal permission to transact business
Domestication / Conversion	Eligible entities changing their legal jurisdiction	Requires a reviewed conversion plan and filings in both states
Withdrawal / Termination	Foreign entities leaving Texas	Updates registration; remaining taxes and reports require separate review

Detailed guidance in Foreign LLC Registration.

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5. Obtaining Certified Copies & Good-Standing Certificates

Lenders and investors often request:

• Certificate of Fact–Status (Good Standing)
• Certified Copies of formation or amendment documents

Order online through SOSDirect; fees vary by document length and certification type.

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6. Filing Fee Payment Methods

• SOSDirect Online Portal – Credit cards or funded client account.
• Fax Filing – Card authorization form.
• Mail – Check or money order.
• In-Person Austin Drop-Off – Cashier window.

Pro-tip: Electronic submissions produce timestamped receipts—handy for compliance audits.

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7. Avoiding Fee-Related Pitfalls

1. Late Reports – Missing due dates triggers state late fees and interest.
2. Incorrect Forms – Wrong document type results in rejection and new filing.
3. Outdated Agent Info – SOS may declare entity “not in good standing,” blocking certificates.
4. Duplicate DBAs – Overlapping names waste filing resources.

Stay organized with a compliance calendar or outsource to specialists.

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8. Budgeting Strategy Without Listing Dollar Amounts

Rather than memorizing specific numbers (they occasionally change), categorize your cost centers:

• Initial Formation – Charter + agent + optional expedition
• Annual Compliance – Franchise-tax report preparation + registered agent renewal
• Growth Transactions – Amendments, conversions, mergers
• Exit or Dissolution – Termination filings, tax clearance

Allocate a contingency reserve for unexpected changes (e.g., new DBA, ownership updates).

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9. FAQs

Q: Do nonprofits pay the same fees?
A: Formation fees differ, and nonprofits enjoy certain exemptions for franchise tax—but still file information reports.

Q: Are county fees involved?
A: Only for local DBAs and zoning permits; those are separate from SOS filings.

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Conclusion & CTA

Texas filing fees span multiple stages: formation, compliance, transactions, and dissolution. Track categories—not dollar figures—to budget accurately, maintain good standing, and avoid costly reinstatements.

Prefer one clean invoice and proactive compliance reminders?
TexasRelocate confirms the specific documents, services, government fees, exclusions, and cancellation terms in a written conversion quote before payment. Request a conversion quote.