Form 201 — Instructions for Certificate of Formation – For-Profit Corporation
Commentary
A for-profit corporation is governed by titles 1 and 2 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC). Title 1, chapter 3, subchapter A, of the BOC governs the formation of a for-profit corporation and sets forth the provisions required or permitted to be contained in the certificate of formation.
Taxes: Corporations are subject to a state franchise tax. Contact the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for franchise tax information. For information relating to federal employer identification numbers, federal income tax filing requirements, tax publications and forms call (800) 829-3676 or visit the Internal Revenue Service web site.
Instructions for Form
Article 1—Entity Name and Type: Provide a corporate name and organizational designation. The entity name must comply with the provisions of chapter 5 of the BOC and the administrative rules on entity name availability adopted by the secretary of state. Chapter 5 of the BOC requires that the entity must be distinguishable in the records from the name of any existing domestic or foreign filing entity, any fictitious name under which a foreign filing entity is registered to transact business in this state, or any name reservation or registration filed with the secretary of state. In addition, the entity name may not contain any word or phrase that by its inclusion in the name: 1) indicates or implies that the entity is engaged in a business that the entity is not authorized to pursue, or 2) falsely implies that the entity is affiliated with a governmental entity. If the entity name does not comply with these provisions, the document cannot be filed.
The administrative rules adopted for determining entity name availability (Texas Administrative Code, title 1, part 4, chapter 79, subchapter C) may be viewed. If you wish the secretary of state to provide a preliminary determination on name availability, you may call (512) 463-5555, dial 7-1-1 for relay services, or e-mail your name inquiry. If the entity name does not meet the standard for availability, the document will not be filed. A final determination cannot be made until the document is received and processed by the secretary of state. Do not make financial expenditures or execute documents based on a preliminary clearance. Also note that the preclearance of a name or the issuance of a certificate of formation under a name does not authorize the use of a name in violation of another person’s rights to the name.
Article 2—Registered Agent and Registered Office: The registered agent can be either (option A) a domestic entity or a foreign entity that is registered to do business in Texas or (option B) an individual resident of the state. The corporation cannot act as its own registered agent; do not enter the corporate name as the name of the registered agent.
Consent: A person designated as the registered agent of an entity must have consented, either in a written or electronic form, to serve as the registered agent of the entity. Although consent is required, a copy of the person’s written or electronic consent need not be submitted with the certificate of formation. The liabilities and penalties imposed by sections 4.007 and 4.008 of the BOC apply with respect to a false statement in a filing instrument that names a person as the registered agent of an entity without that person’s consent. (BOC § 5.207)
Office Address Requirements: The registered office address must be located at a street address where service of process may be personally served on the entity’s registered agent during normal business hours. Although the registered office is not required to be the entity’s principal place of business, the registered office may not be solely a mailbox service or telephone answering service (BOC § 5.201).
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Article 3—Directors: This form is not drafted for use in forming a close corporation or a corporation that is to be managed by a shareholder's agreement. A minimum of one director is required. A director must be a natural person; there are no residency requirements for directors. Set forth the name of the individual in the format specified. Do not use prefixes (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms.). Use the suffix box only for titles of lineage (e.g., Jr., Sr., III) and not for other suffixes or titles (e.g., M.D., Ph.D.).
Please note that a document on file with the secretary of state is a public record that is subject to public access and disclosure. When providing address information for directors, use a business or post office box address rather than a residence address if privacy concerns are an issue.
Article 4—Authorized Shares: Shares represent ownership interest in the corporation. The total number of shares that the corporation will have authority to issue must be provided in article 4. Select and complete option A if the shares are to have a stated par value or select option B if the shares are without a stated par value.
Option A—Par Value: “Par value” means the stated dollar amount assigned to a share. In general terms, it represents the minimum stated amount for which each share shall be issued. For example, if the corporation has authorized a total of 1,000 shares of common stock of $1 par value and if payment for the share is to be made in cash, the corporation must receive at least $1 for each share issued. Do not state that the shares have $0 par value if the shares are to be without a stated par value (i.e., option B).
Option B—No Par Value: Shares that are designated as having no par value may be issued for an amount of consideration determined by the board of directors.
Article 5—Purpose: This form creates a corporation with the general purpose of conducting any lawful business. This form cannot be used to operate a nonprofit organization, or to engage in a licensed activity when such license cannot be issued to a corporation.
Initial Mailing Address: Effective January 1, 2022, the certificate of formation of a filing entity must provide the initial mailing address for the entity. The initial mailing address is the address that will be used by the Comptroller of Public Accounts for sending tax information and correspondence to the entity. The initial mailing address may be a post office box or street address.
Supplemental Provisions/Information: Additional space has been provided for additional text to an article within this form or to provide for additional articles to contain optional provisions.
Duration: Pursuant to section 3.003 of the BOC, a Texas for-profit corporation exists perpetually unless provided otherwise in the certificate of formation. If formation of a corporation with a stated period of duration is desired, use the “Supplemental Provisions/Information” section of this form to provide for a limited duration.
Organizer: Only one organizer is required for the formation of a for-profit corporation. An organizer may be any person having the capacity to contract for the person or for another; that is, a natural person 18 years of age or older, or a corporation or other legal entity. There are no residency requirements for an organizer.
Effectiveness of Filing: A certificate of formation becomes effective when filed by the secretary of state (option A). However, pursuant to sections 4.052 and 4.053 of the BOC the effectiveness of the instrument may be delayed to a specified date, or specified date and time, not more than ninety (90) days from the date the instrument is signed (option B). The effectiveness of the instrument also may be delayed on or after the occurrence of a future event or fact, including the act of any person (option C). If option C is selected, you must state the manner in which the event or fact will cause the instrument to take effect and the date of the 90th day after the date the instrument is signed. In order for the certificate to take effect under option C, the entity must, within ninety (90) days of the filing of the certificate, file a statement with the secretary of state regarding the event or fact pursuant to section 4.055 of the BOC.
On the filing of a document with a delayed effective date or condition, the computer records of the secretary of state will be changed to show the filing of the document, the date of the filing, and the future date on which the document will be effective or evidence that the effectiveness was conditioned on the occurrence of a future event or fact. In addition, at the time of such filing, the status of the entity will be shown as “in existence” on the records of the secretary of state.
Execution: The organizer must sign the certificate of formation, but it does not need to be notarized. However, before signing, please read the statements on this form carefully. The designation or appointment of a person as registered agent by an organizer is an affirmation that the person named in the certificate of formation has consented to serve in that capacity. (BOC § 5.2011)
A person commits an offense under section 4.008 of the BOC if the person signs or directs the filing of a filing instrument the person knows is materially false with the intent that the instrument be delivered to the secretary of state for filing. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor unless the person’s intent is to harm or defraud another, in which case the offense is a state jail felony.
Note: A corporation is required to maintain a registered agent and a registered office address in Texas. If the registered agent or registered office address changes, it is important to file a statement with the secretary of state to effect a change to the certificate of formation. Failure to maintain a registered agent and registered office may result in the involuntary termination of the corporation. In addition, section 21.802 of the BOC provides a penalty for the failure to timely file a statement of change of registered office or registered agent with the secretary of state. To be timely, the filing must be made by the corporation before the 30th day after the change.
Payment and Delivery Instructions
The filing fee for a Certificate of Formation for a for-profit corporation is $300.
Online Filing
- For faster processing submit your filing through SOSPortal. You will be prompted to enter all required information through the online filing screens.
- Payments may be made by ACH or credit card (credit card payments include a convenience fee of $0.25 plus 2.25% of total fees).
- Evidence of filing will be emailed to the submitter.
Mail or In Person Filing
- Payments may be made by check or money order.
- Mail filings to: P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697
- Deliver filings to: 400 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701
- Evidence of filing will be mailed to the submitter.
When submitting your filing, do not include:
- These instructions pages
- Duplicate copies of the document
- Personal identifying information (PII)
Including any of these may result in rejection. For questions about SOSPortal, please contact the Secretary of State's office by email.
Revised 09/26
