Texas Secretary of State Edition Form 503 (Revised 09/26) 2 pages Texas

Form 503 — Texas Assumed Name Certificate

The Texas Secretary of State form a corporation, LLC, partnership or other entity files to do business under a name other than its legal name.

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Form 503 · Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503)
The official Texas Secretary of State form, edition Form 503 (Revised 09/26) — blank
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Form 503 (2026) Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) — page 1 of 2
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Form 503 (2026) Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) — page 2 of 2
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Fill this form online Blank PDF from Texas Secretary of State

What is Form 503?

A domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other foreign filing entity that regularly does business or renders a professional service in Texas under a name other than its legal name must file an assumed name certificate with the Texas Secretary of State (Texas Business & Commerce Code section 71.103). Form 503 is that certificate. Since September 1, 2019, these entities no longer also file at the county level.

The filing gives public notice that the entity does business under the name; the secretary of state doesn't review it for conflicts with other names. It lasts up to 10 years from filing and can be renewed by filing a new certificate within six months before it expires. There is no amendment: if the information becomes materially misleading, file a new certificate within 60 days. The filing fee printed on the form is $25. The current edition is Form 503 (Revised 09/26).

FileIt asks each question in plain English, prints your answers into the agency's own official PDF, keeps the finished PDF in your vault, and can send it for e-signature. You then file or deliver it yourself: FileIt never submits anything for you.

Who fills it
The entity using the assumed name, signed by an officer, general partner, member, manager, representative or attorney in fact.
Filed with
Texas Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697, or online through SOSPortal.
Fee
$25 (printed on the form).
Lasts
Up to 10 years from filing.
Edition
Form 503 (Revised 09/26)
Agency
Texas Secretary of State

Who needs to fill out Form 503?

  • Texas corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships and LLPs doing business under a brand or trade name.
  • Foreign entities registered in Texas that use a name other than their legal name here.
  • Entities renewing an assumed name certificate that is about to expire.

When to use Form 503

  • Before (or when) the entity starts using a name other than its legal name in Texas.
  • Within six months before an existing certificate expires, to renew it.
  • Within 60 days after a change that makes an existing certificate materially misleading, such as a change in the entity's name or form.

What you need before you start

  • The assumed name. Use one certificate per assumed name.
  • The entity's legal name, type, secretary of state file number (if any) and jurisdiction of formation.
  • The principal office address.
  • How long you'll use the name (10 years, a number of years, or until a date) and the Texas counties where you'll use it.

What’s on Form 503

The 2026 edition has 2 pages. FileIt asks for it in 6 parts, and it is signed by Authorized person:

  1. Assumed nameAuthorized person
  2. Entity informationAuthorized person
  3. 6. Principal office addressAuthorized person
  4. 7. Period of durationAuthorized person
  5. 8. Counties where the assumed name is usedAuthorized person
  6. ExecutionAuthorized person

How to fill out Form 503, step by step

1 1. Assumed name

Enter the name you do business under. If it is exactly the entity's legal name on file, the certificate is rejected.

2 2 to 6. Entity information

Enter the legal name as in the certificate of formation or comparable document, tick the entity type (or Other, and describe it), give the secretary of state file number if there is one (recommended), the jurisdiction of formation and the principal office address.

3 7. Period of duration

Choose 10 years from filing, a number of years up to 10, or a date no more than 10 years away.

4 8. Counties

Choose all counties, all counties except those you list, or only the counties you list.

5 Execution

Date it. A person authorized by law to sign for the entity signs; an attorney in fact certifies that the entity authorized them in writing.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using the entity's exact legal name as the assumed name.
  • Putting two assumed names on one certificate.
  • Choosing a duration longer than 10 years.
  • Signing without authority: knowingly signing a materially false certificate is an offense.
  • Forgetting to file a new certificate after a material change, since there is no amendment.

After you fill it out

Have an authorized person sign it, then send it with the $25 fee by mail to P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697, deliver it to 400 W. 15th St., Austin, or file online through SOSPortal.

Keep the PDF in your FileIt vault and record the end of the duration as its expiry date, so you are reminded to renew within the six months before it lapses.

To stop using the name early, file an abandonment of the certificate (Form 504).

Fill out Form 503 online with FileIt

  1. Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 21 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Texas Secretary of State form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form 503 now — it’s free

Form 503: frequently asked questions

Is Form 503 the Texas DBA form?

Form 503 is the assumed name (DBA) certificate for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs and other filing entities, filed with the Texas Secretary of State.

How long does a Texas assumed name certificate last?

Up to 10 years from the filing date. You renew it by filing a new certificate within six months before it expires.

Can I amend an assumed name certificate?

No. There is no amendment or correction; file a new certificate within 60 days after the change.

Do I also file with the county?

Not for these entities: HB 3609 (effective September 1, 2019) eliminated the county-level filing for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs and other foreign filing entities.

Does filing reserve the name?

No. It gives public notice only and doesn't give priority or rights to the name.

Can I fill it out online with FileIt?

Yes. FileIt prints your answers into the official PDF; you sign it and file it yourself.

Official sources

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas Secretary of State or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.

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