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Texas Foreign LLC Registration
Everything you need to register a foreign LLC in Texas.
Foreign Qualification
- Filing fee
- $750
- Form
- Application for Registration of Foreign LLC
- Annual obligation
- $0/year (report required, no fee)
- Processing time
- 5-7 business days
- Expedite
- $25 (24-hour), $50 (4-hour)
- Estimated year 1 cost
- $750
Note: Texas has one of the highest qualification fees in the country at $750.
Visit Texas Secretary of State ↗
Texas data verified Apr 18, 2026 · sos.texas.gov
Formation in Texas
- Formation fee
- $300
- Annual cost
- $0/year (free annual report)
- State income tax
- No state income tax. Franchise tax applies to businesses with revenue over $2.47M.
- Privacy
- Moderate
No income tax, but the franchise tax applies to larger businesses. The 2026 no-tax-due threshold is $2.65M (increased from $2.47M).
What triggers foreign qualification in Texas?
- Physical presence in Texas
- Employees in Texas
- Revenue from Texas sources
Important to know
- $750 filing fee is among the highest in the country
- Franchise tax filing is required even if no tax is owed
- Certificate of Good Standing from home state must be dated within 90 days of filing
Activities that do NOT require registration in Texas
The following activities are explicitly carved out by statute. On their own, they do not require a foreign LLC to register in Texas.
- Maintaining or defending a lawsuit
- Holding meetings of members or managers
- Maintaining bank accounts
- Selling through independent contractors
- Soliciting orders by mail, telephone, or internet if accepted outside Texas
- Conducting isolated transactions completed within 30 days
Per Texas Business Organizations Code Section 9.251.
Need a registered agent in Texas?
A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.
Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included
Other options
Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Includes annual report filing
Harbor Compliance
$99/year · Full-service compliance option
More Texas guides
Need to change your registered agent?
See the form, fee, and step-by-step process for changing your registered agent in Texas.
Texas change of agent guide ↗
What's the penalty for not registering?
Statute-cited guide to the civil penalty, back fees, and court access if you operate in Texas without a certificate of authority.
Texas penalty guide ↗
This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify with the Texas Secretary of State before filing.