Texas Form 503 is the Assumed Name Certificate that every domestic or foreign filing entity—corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, professional entities, and cooperatives—must file with the Texas Secretary of State before transacting business in Texas under a name different from its legal name. The form is governed by Chapter 71 of the Texas Business & Commerce Code, and a properly filed 503 protects an entity’s right to sue, signal ownership to consumers, and avoid Class A misdemeanor exposure for transacting business under an unregistered name.
The current revision of the form is dated 05/2024, and using an older version risks rejection by the SOS filings team. Texas processes more than 120,000 assumed name filings per year, and a meaningful share are returned for fixable errors—wrong entity type checked, missing county list, expired 10-year term, or signatures that do not match the entity’s governing person on file.
Here is what this guide will give you:
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on Form 503, with sample entries
- 🏢 Three real-world scenarios showing exactly what an LLC, foreign corporation, and LP enter
- 💵 Fee, payment, and channel details for SOSDirect, mail, fax, and in-person filing
- ⚖️ The legal consequences of skipping or botching the filing under Chapter 71
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get a 503 rejected—and how to avoid each one
What Form 503 Is and Who Must File It
Form 503 is the official Assumed Name Certificate used by filing entities and foreign filing entities to register a “doing business as” (DBA) name with the State of Texas. The form is created and maintained by the Business & Public Filings Division of the Texas Secretary of State, and it is the only document the SOS accepts for state-level assumed name registration by entities formed under the Texas Business Organizations Code.
You must file Form 503 if your entity is:
- A Texas for-profit or nonprofit corporation
- A Texas limited liability company (LLC), series LLC, or professional LLC
- A Texas limited partnership (LP) or limited liability partnership (LLP)
- A Texas professional corporation or professional association
- A Texas cooperative association or real estate investment trust
- A foreign filing entity registered to transact business in Texas
You do not file Form 503 if you are a sole proprietor or general partnership that has not registered with the SOS. Those filers use a county-level assumed name certificate filed with the county clerk where the business is located, under Section 71.054 of the Business & Commerce Code.
Failing to file before transacting business under an assumed name is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 71.202, and the entity loses the right to maintain a lawsuit in Texas courts on contracts entered into under the unregistered name until the filing is cured. A common misconception is that a registered trademark substitutes for an assumed name filing—it does not. Trademark registration through the USPTO or the Texas SOS trademark unit is a separate process governed by separate statutes.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every piece of information below before you open the form, because SOSDirect times out after periods of inactivity and a missing data point can force you to start over. The 503 is short, but each field cross-references information that must match the SOS database character-for-character.
- Entity’s exact legal name as shown on its SOS file detail page, including punctuation and the entity-type designator (e.g., “L.L.C.” vs. “LLC”)
- SOS file number (a 10-digit number assigned at formation), needed to route your filing to the correct entity record
- Jurisdiction of formation, which for a foreign entity is the state or country where the entity was originally formed
- The proposed assumed name, screened against the SOS name availability database to confirm it does not conflict with another filing
- Period of duration—a date or “10 years from filing”—because Texas caps assumed name terms at 10 years
- Counties where the assumed name will be used, listed individually or as “ALL”
- Principal office address of the entity, which must match the address of record
- Name and title of the authorized signer, who must be a governing person (officer, manager, member, partner) of the entity
- Payment method: a credit card for SOSDirect, or a check or money order made payable to “Secretary of State” for mail/fax filings
- A scanned copy of the signed form if filing by fax, plus a Form 807 payment form authorizing the credit card charge
If any item is missing, the SOS will either reject the filing outright or place it in “deficiency” status, which can delay the effective date by 5–10 business days and complicate any contracts signed in reliance on the new DBA.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form 503 is available as a fillable PDF directly from the Secretary of State forms page. Always download a fresh copy each time you file, because the SOS updates revision dates without sending notices, and an obsolete form is a common rejection reason.
You can also access Form 503 through the SOSDirect online portal, which lets you complete and submit the form electronically without printing or mailing anything. SOSDirect requires a free account funded with a credit card, and it adds a 2.7% convenience fee on top of the $25 statutory filing fee. Most filers prefer SOSDirect because it returns a stamped, file-marked copy within 1–2 business days, compared to 3–5 business days for mail filings.
A third option is to request the form by phone from the SOS Corporations Section at (512) 463-5555. Staff will mail or fax a blank form to you, but this adds days to your timeline. The form itself is two pages: page 1 captures the entity and assumed name details, and page 2 contains instructions and the signature block.
A misconception many filers carry is that the form must be notarized. It does not. The signer’s certification under penalty of perjury under Section 4.001 of the BOC replaces notarization, and adding a notary block does not invalidate the form but wastes time and money.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Texas Form 503 Line by Line
Form 503 has eleven numbered items plus a signature block. Complete each item in order, and use ALL CAPS for entity names and addresses to match SOS database conventions. Sample entries below are italicized so you can tell them apart from instructions.
Item 1 — Legal Name of Entity
This field asks for the exact legal name of the filing entity as it appears in the records of the Texas Secretary of State, including the entity-type designator. To answer it, copy the name verbatim from your certificate of formation or, for foreign entities, your application for registration on file with the SOS.
A specific example: BLUE BONNET LOGISTICS, L.L.C. writes that exact string with the periods and the comma. If your entity uses “Inc.” rather than “Incorporated,” use “Inc.” because that is what the SOS database stores.
A nuance arises for series LLCs—you list the parent LLC’s name, not the protected series name, because under Section 101.622 of the BOC only the parent has filing capacity. The most common mistake is dropping the comma before “L.L.C.” or adding it where the SOS record has none, which causes the filings examiner to flag the form as not matching the entity record. The direct consequence is rejection with a deficiency notice, restarting the clock. A misconception filers hold is that capitalization does not matter; while the SOS will usually accept variant capitalization, mismatched punctuation almost always triggers rejection.
Item 2 — State, Country, or Other Jurisdiction of Formation
Item 2 asks where your entity was originally formed. Enter the state or country, spelled out, exactly as it appears on the entity’s formation document.
For example, TEXAS for a domestic LLC, or DELAWARE for a foreign corporation that has registered to do business in Texas.
A nuance: foreign entities formed in non-U.S. jurisdictions enter the country plus, where applicable, the province or canton (e.g., ONTARIO, CANADA). The common mistake is entering the entity’s principal place of business instead of its formation jurisdiction, which misclassifies the entity and can cause the filing to be routed to the wrong examiner. The consequence is a delay of several days while the SOS sorts the record. A misconception is that “Texas” is the right answer for any entity that operates in Texas; it is only correct for entities actually formed in Texas.
Item 3 — File Number Issued by Secretary of State
This box asks for the 10-digit file number assigned by the SOS when the entity was first filed. To answer it, look up your entity on the SOS Direct entity search or check the top of any prior filing receipt.
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics enters 0801234567 in this box.
A nuance: if the file number has fewer than 10 digits on legacy records, leading zeros are required to bring it to 10. The most common mistake is leaving this field blank because the filer thinks it is optional, which forces the SOS to manually search the entity index and almost always results in a deficiency notice. A misconception is that the EIN substitutes for the SOS file number; it does not, and entering the EIN here will cause rejection.
Item 4 — Assumed Name
Item 4 is the heart of the form: the actual DBA name your entity will operate under. Enter the assumed name exactly as you intend to use it in advertising, contracts, and signage, in ALL CAPS to match SOS conventions.
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics enters LONE STAR FREIGHT EXPRESS if that is the DBA it plans to use.
A nuance: the assumed name must not contain words that imply a different entity type than the filing entity (e.g., a corporation cannot adopt an assumed name containing “LLC”), under Section 71.103. The common mistake is choosing a name that is deceptively similar to another active Texas entity or assumed name, which the SOS rejects under its name availability standards. The consequence is rejection plus the loss of any marketing already keyed to the rejected name. A misconception is that securing the matching internet domain reserves the name with the state—it does not.
Item 5 — Period of Duration
Item 5 asks how long the assumed name will be used. You can either enter a specific date or check the box stating the name will be used for 10 years from the date of filing, which is the statutory maximum under Section 71.151.
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics checks the “10 years from the date of filing” box.
A nuance: if you anticipate ceasing use of the name earlier (e.g., for a short-term project), enter a specific end date in MM/DD/YYYY format. The common mistake is entering a date more than 10 years out, which causes automatic rejection because the statute does not permit it. The direct consequence is a returned filing and the need to re-pay the $25 fee on resubmission. A misconception is that the term auto-renews; it does not, and a fresh Form 503 must be filed before the term expires to maintain registration.
Item 6 — County or Counties of Use
Item 6 asks where in Texas the assumed name will be used. You may list specific counties (e.g., TRAVIS, BEXAR, HARRIS) or enter ALL to cover every county in the state.
For example, a statewide carrier enters ALL, while a local bakery operating only in Austin enters TRAVIS.
A nuance: listing only a few counties limits your statutory protection—operating in an unlisted county can trigger the same penalties as not filing at all. The common mistake is listing a city instead of a county (e.g., “Houston” rather than “Harris”), which causes deficiency. The consequence is rejection and a delay of several business days. A misconception is that “ALL” costs more than listing specific counties; it does not, and the filing fee is the same flat $25 either way.
Item 7 — Principal Office Address
Item 7 asks for the entity’s principal office address—not necessarily the address where the assumed name is used. Enter the street address, city, state, ZIP, and country.
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics enters 4500 LAMAR BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78756, USA.
A nuance: a P.O. Box is not acceptable as a principal office address; you must list a physical street address. The most common mistake is entering the assumed-name location rather than the entity’s principal office, which creates a mismatch with the entity’s main record and can trigger correspondence problems. The consequence is misrouted SOS notices and missed deadlines. A misconception is that updating the 503 also updates the entity’s principal office on file; it does not, and any change of principal office requires a separate filing such as the Form 401 for change of registered agent or address.
Item 8 — Type of Entity (Checkbox)
Item 8 is a checklist of every entity type recognized by the BOC. Check exactly one box that matches your entity’s classification (for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, professional corporation, professional association, LP, LLP, LLC, professional LLC, cooperative association, REIT, or “Other”).
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics, L.L.C. checks Limited Liability Company.
A nuance: if you check “Other,” you must specify the entity type in the line provided (e.g., a foreign business trust). The most common mistake is checking two boxes—often “Limited Liability Company” plus “Professional Limited Liability Company”—which forces the examiner to reject the form for ambiguity. The consequence is a deficiency notice and refiling. A misconception is that the entity type can be inferred from the legal name in Item 1; the SOS still requires the box to be checked because some filings cross internal review queues based on this field.
Item 9 — Entity’s Jurisdictional Information (Foreign Filers Only)
Item 9 captures the foreign entity’s home-state details if it differs from Item 2. Most domestic Texas filers leave this blank; foreign filers enter the registration date and any home-state file number.
For example, a Delaware corporation registered in Texas enters its Delaware file number and date of formation here.
A nuance: if the entity has converted between forms in its home state, enter the most recent governing entity’s information, not the predecessor’s. The common mistake is entering the Texas registration date rather than the home-state formation date, which mismatches the SOS’s foreign-entity record. The consequence is delay while the examiner reconciles the records. A misconception is that this section is optional for foreign entities; it is mandatory whenever the home jurisdiction differs from the entity formation state.
Item 10 — Statement of Authority
Item 10 contains a pre-printed certification that the person signing is authorized to act on behalf of the entity. You do not write anything here, but you should read it carefully because signing the form attests under penalty of perjury that everything above is true.
For example, the manager of Blue Bonnet Logistics reads the certification confirming that the person executing the document is authorized to do so on behalf of the entity.
A nuance: under Section 4.008 of the BOC, making a false statement on this form is a third-degree felony. The most common mistake here is conceptual—filers sign without realizing the criminal exposure. The consequence is potential prosecution if material misstatements come to light. A misconception is that the certification only covers Item 4 (the assumed name); it covers every statement in the form.
Item 11 — Effectiveness of Filing
Item 11 lets you choose when the filing takes effect: on filing, on a later date (up to 90 days out), or upon a future event. Check one option, and if you choose a later date, enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
For example, Blue Bonnet Logistics checks “This document becomes effective when the document is filed by the secretary of state.”
A nuance: a delayed-effectiveness filing under Section 4.052 of the BOC cannot be more than 90 days from the date of signing—not the date of filing. The common mistake is calculating the 90 days from filing, which produces a future date the SOS rejects. The consequence is rejection and lost lead time. A misconception is that “effective on filing” and a delayed effective date carry different fees; both cost $25.
Signature Block — Execution
The signature block requires the signer’s printed name, title, signature, and date. The signer must be a governing person of the entity—an officer for corporations, a manager or member for an LLC, a general partner for an LP, or an authorized partner for an LLP.
For example, Maria Lopez, Manager, signs and dates the form 03/14/2026.
A nuance: an attorney-in-fact may sign only if a power of attorney is on file or attached. The common mistake is having an unauthorized employee (such as an office manager who is not a legal “manager” of the LLC) sign the form, which voids the certification and triggers rejection. The consequence is a Class A misdemeanor exposure if the unauthorized signature is treated as a false filing. A misconception is that an electronic signature is not allowed; SOSDirect accepts electronic signatures under Chapter 322 of the Business & Commerce Code, the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named filers walked through the entire form. Each table shows what they enter in the most important sections.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Manager of a Texas LLC Adopting a New DBA
Maria’s company, Blue Bonnet Logistics, L.L.C., wants to launch a same-day delivery brand called “Lone Star Freight Express” statewide.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1 — Legal Name | BLUE BONNET LOGISTICS, L.L.C. |
| Item 2 — Jurisdiction | TEXAS |
| Item 3 — File Number | 0801234567 |
| Item 4 — Assumed Name | LONE STAR FREIGHT EXPRESS |
| Item 5 — Duration | 10 years from filing (box checked) |
| Item 6 — Counties | ALL |
| Item 7 — Principal Office | 4500 LAMAR BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78756, USA |
| Item 8 — Entity Type | Limited Liability Company (box checked) |
| Item 11 — Effectiveness | Effective when filed |
| Signature | Maria Lopez, Manager, 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Carlos Reyes, Officer of a Delaware Corporation Registering a Texas DBA
Carlos’s company, Sentinel Technologies, Inc., is a Delaware corporation registered to transact business in Texas. It wants to operate a Texas data-center division as “Alamo Data Vault.”
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Item 1 — Legal Name | SENTINEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
| Item 2 — Jurisdiction | DELAWARE |
| Item 3 — File Number | 0805432198 (Texas SOS file number) |
| Item 4 — Assumed Name | ALAMO DATA VAULT |
| Item 5 — Duration | 10 years from filing (box checked) |
| Item 6 — Counties | BEXAR, TRAVIS, DALLAS, HARRIS |
| Item 7 — Principal Office | 200 NORTH MARKET ST, WILMINGTON, DE 19801, USA |
| Item 8 — Entity Type | For-Profit Corporation (box checked) |
| Item 9 — Foreign Info | DE File No. 4567890, formed 06/12/2018 |
| Signature | Carlos Reyes, President, 03/15/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet Whitfield, General Partner of a Texas LP Filing Multiple Names
Janet’s LP, Whitfield Ranch Holdings, L.P., wants to file two assumed names—one for cattle operations and one for an agritourism venture.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters (Filing #1) |
|---|---|
| Item 1 — Legal Name | WHITFIELD RANCH HOLDINGS, L.P. |
| Item 2 — Jurisdiction | TEXAS |
| Item 3 — File Number | 0809876543 |
| Item 4 — Assumed Name | WHITFIELD CATTLE COMPANY |
| Item 5 — Duration | 10 years from filing |
| Item 6 — Counties | KARNES, GOLIAD, DEWITT |
| Item 7 — Principal Office | 7700 FM 81, KARNES CITY, TX 78118, USA |
| Item 8 — Entity Type | Limited Partnership (box checked) |
| Item 11 — Effectiveness | Effective on 04/01/2026 |
| Signature | Janet Whitfield, General Partner, 03/16/2026 |
Janet then completes a second, separate Form 503 for WHITFIELD AGRITOURISM, paying a separate $25 fee. Texas does not allow multiple assumed names on one Form 503.
How to File the Completed Form
You can file Form 503 through four channels, and each has its own logistics, fees, processing time, and proof-of-filing.
Online via SOSDirect. Log in at the SOSDirect portal, select “Business Organizations,” choose your entity, and select “Assumed Name (503).” The fee is $25 plus a 2.7% credit card convenience fee. Accepted payment methods are Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Processing typically completes within 1–2 business days, and SOSDirect emails a stamped, file-marked PDF that serves as your proof of filing.
By mail. Mail the signed original plus one copy and a $25 check or money order payable to “Secretary of State” to P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697. Processing takes 3–5 business days from receipt. The SOS returns a file-stamped copy by mail to the address listed on the cover sheet.
By fax. Fax the signed form along with a completed Form 807 credit card payment authorization to (512) 463-5709. The fee is $25 plus the 2.7% surcharge. Processing matches mail timing—about 3–5 business days—and the SOS faxes or mails back the stamped copy.
In person. Deliver the signed form and payment to the SOS public counter at James E. Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701. Same-day expedited processing is available for an additional $25 expedite fee. The counter staff hands you a stamped copy on the spot, which is the fastest proof-of-filing method available.
Always keep your stamped copy in your entity’s permanent records. Banks, vendors, and licensing agencies routinely demand to see it before issuing a DBA bank account, contract, or license.
What Happens After You File
After the SOS accepts your Form 503, the agency indexes the assumed name in its public database within 24 hours of the file-mark date. From that moment, your entity has the right to maintain a lawsuit on contracts entered into under the assumed name, and you can open a DBA bank account by presenting the stamped certificate to your bank.
The SOS does not send a “welcome” letter or reminder; the file-marked copy is your only acknowledgment. You must docket the expiration date yourself. The 10-year clock runs from the date of filing, not from the effective date if you chose a delayed effective date.
If the SOS rejects your filing, you receive a deficiency letter explaining what to fix. You typically have 30 days to cure, and the original filing fee is credited toward the corrected filing. Failing to cure within 30 days forfeits the fee, and you must start over with a new $25 payment.
A misconception many filers carry is that the SOS shares the assumed name filing with the Texas Comptroller for franchise tax purposes. It does not, and you must update the assumed name with the Comptroller separately if your franchise tax account uses the DBA name.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the ten errors the SOS rejection desk sees most often, each with its direct consequence.
- Using an outdated form revision—rejected for non-compliance with current statutory format.
- Entering an EIN instead of the SOS file number in Item 3—routed to deficiency for entity-record mismatch.
- Listing a city or ZIP code instead of a county in Item 6—rejected as not statutorily compliant.
- Using a P.O. Box in Item 7 as principal office—rejected because BOC requires a physical street address.
- Checking two entity-type boxes in Item 8—rejected for ambiguity.
- Setting the duration past 10 years—rejected under Section 71.151’s statutory cap.
- Having the wrong person sign—voids the certification and creates Class A misdemeanor exposure.
- Forgetting the $25 fee or sending an unsigned check—filing held until payment cures.
- Filing more than one assumed name on a single 503—rejected; each name requires its own form and fee.
- Misspelling or mispunctuating the legal entity name in Item 1—rejected for entity-record mismatch.
Each mistake adds days to your timeline and can cost you the launch date you have planned around.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules keep your 503 clean.
- Do download the form fresh from the SOS site every time you file, because revisions roll out without notice.
- Do confirm name availability before you file, to avoid rejection for conflict.
- Do match the legal entity name character-for-character to the SOS record, because punctuation matters.
- Do keep the stamped file-marked copy in a permanent file, because banks and licensing agencies will demand it.
- Do docket the 10-year expiration in your calendar, because the SOS does not remind you.
- Do file a separate 503 for each assumed name, because multi-name filings are rejected.
- Don’t notarize the form, because the BOC’s perjury certification replaces notarization.
- Don’t sign as an unauthorized employee, because that voids the certification.
- Don’t rely on the assumed name for trademark protection, because that is a separate filing.
- Don’t use the form to change your entity’s principal office, because Form 401 is the right tool.
- Don’t assume the term auto-renews, because it does not.
- Don’t mail cash, because the SOS will return the filing unprocessed.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filers debate whether to DIY through SOSDirect or hire a registered agent or attorney to file the 503. Each approach has real tradeoffs.
Pros of filing yourself:
- Lower cost—just the $25 fee plus the 2.7% online surcharge, with no professional markup.
- Fast turnaround through SOSDirect, often within 24 hours.
- Direct control over name selection and effective dates.
- Hands-on familiarity with SOSDirect for future filings such as amendments or terminations.
- Immediate access to the file-marked copy for downstream use with banks and vendors.
Cons of filing yourself:
- Risk of rejection for technical errors that cost you days or weeks.
- No professional review of name conflicts or entity-type implications.
- Personal liability if a misstatement triggers Section 4.008 perjury exposure.
- Time spent navigating SOSDirect, which has a learning curve for first-time users.
- No automatic docketing of the 10-year expiration, increasing the risk of lapse.
For high-stakes brand launches or complex foreign-entity structures, an attorney or registered agent often pays for itself by avoiding a single rejection cycle.
Form 503 vs. County-Level Assumed Name Certificate
Many filers confuse Form 503 with the county DBA certificate. The differences matter.
| Feature | Texas Form 503 (SOS) |
|---|---|
| Who files | Filing entities (LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs) |
| Where filed | Texas Secretary of State |
| Statutory basis | Sections 71.101–71.103 |
| Filing fee | $25 |
| Term | Up to 10 years |
| Geographic scope | Statewide (or listed counties) |
Compared to the county certificate, which sole proprietors and unregistered partnerships file with each county clerk under Section 71.054 for fees that vary by county and a typical 10-year term limited to that county only.
Key Agencies, Statutes, and Related Forms
The 503 sits inside a web of related filings and authorities. The Texas Secretary of State Business & Public Filings Division administers the form and enforces Chapter 71. The Texas Comptroller handles franchise tax matters that may be triggered by adopting a new DBA. County clerks remain the right venue for sole proprietors. Related SOS forms include the Form 504 Abandonment of Assumed Name, the Form 401 Change of Registered Agent, and the Form 408 Statement of Change of Principal Office.
Texas case law is light on Form 503 specifically, but the Texas Supreme Court’s discussion in Sixth RMA Partners, L.P. v. Sibley confirms that a filing entity transacting business under an unregistered assumed name cannot maintain suit on contracts in that name until the defect is cured. That holding is the core enforcement risk that makes timely 503 filing critical.
FAQs
Do I need to file Form 503 if I only sell online?
Yes. Online sales transacted under a DBA still count as transacting business in Texas under Chapter 71, so a Texas filing entity must file Form 503 before using the DBA online.
Can I file Form 503 for multiple assumed names at once?
No. Each assumed name requires its own Form 503 and its own $25 filing fee, regardless of whether the names are related.
Does the assumed name need to be unique?
No. Texas allows assumed names that match other registered names, but the SOS may reject names that are deceptively similar to existing entity names under its name-availability standards.
Do I write my full legal name as signer or just initials in the signature block?
Yes, write your full legal name as signer, because initials do not satisfy the BOC’s execution requirements and will trigger a deficiency notice.
Can I list “ALL” in Item 6 instead of naming counties?
Yes. Listing “ALL” is expressly permitted and costs no more than listing specific counties.
Should I check the “Other” box in Item 8 if my entity is an LLC?
No. LLCs check the “Limited Liability Company” box. “Other” is reserved for entity types not listed, such as foreign business trusts.
Do I need to enter my EIN anywhere on Form 503?
No. The form does not request an EIN. Use the 10-digit SOS file number in Item 3 instead.
Can a P.O. Box be used as the principal office in Item 7?
No. BOC rules require a physical street address for the principal office, and a P.O. Box will be rejected.
Does filing Form 503 give me trademark rights?
No. Trademark rights come from use and registration with the USPTO or the SOS trademark unit, not from an assumed name filing.
Is the form effective immediately after filing?
Yes, unless you choose a delayed effective date in Item 11, in which case it becomes effective on that future date up to 90 days from signing.
Do I need to file again at year ten?
Yes. The registration expires after 10 years and does not auto-renew, so you must file a new Form 503 before expiration to maintain the assumed name.
Can an attorney sign Form 503 for the entity?
Yes, if the attorney holds a valid power of attorney from a governing person of the entity, with the POA either on file or attached to the filing.
What is the fee to file Form 503?
Yes, there is a fee: $25 per assumed name, plus a 2.7% credit card surcharge if filing through SOSDirect or by fax.
Do nonprofits file Form 503?
Yes. Texas nonprofit corporations file the same Form 503 as for-profit entities, checking the “Nonprofit Corporation” box in Item 8.
Related reading
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