Filing Options
The Secretary of State is aware that many transactions in the business and financial world are time sensitive. The office strongly encourages electronic filing through SOSDirect or SOSUpload to ensure swift processing times. To better serve the public, this office provides forms for downloading, filings by fax, expedited and preclearance services, online certificate verification, and a range of payment methods.
Online Filing
Online services are available through our website at SOSDirect, including the ability to:
- file business formation documents;
- receive evidence of processing in real-time;
- order certified or plain copies and order certificates of fact;
- file UCCs;
- search for business entities/obtain entity information;
- print copies of imaged documents;
- obtain entity status; and
- check name availability/reserve entity names.
For more information, please e-mail the SOSDirect team.
The SOSUpload System allows you to upload certain documents required to create a new business entity, register an existing out-of-state business entity, or make a change to a business entity's record. By using SOSUpload, you will have the ability to file documents not currently available for filing on SOSDirect.
You must have a SOSDirect account to upload documents using this System. If you do not have a SOSDirect account, you may quickly create one by using this this link: Create a SOSDirect Account.
Expedited Service
Expedited service means that the documents are processed before other documents received the same day and the filing party is notified in writing by email of the filing disposition.
The Secretary of State offers expedited service for:
- business organization documents; and
- the issuance of certified copies and certificates relating to those documents
Expedited processing may be requested for documents and orders received by mail, fax, or by personal delivery. Please include a cover letter containing an email address and daytime phone number with a mailed or faxed instrument/order. The cover must specifically request expedited processing.
The office expedites the processing of business organization documents for a fee of $25 per document and expedites the processing of certified copies and certificates for a fee of $10 per certified copy or certificate.
Preclearance Services
The Secretary of State will pre-clear a business filing instrument upon written request. The fee is $50 per instrument. Generally, an instrument submitted for preclearance is a draft of an instrument that will be submitted for filing at a later date. The instrument to be pre-cleared will not be filed, but reviewed for compliance with minimal statutory filing requirements. The instrument will be returned with a written statement that the draft instrument is suitable for filing or with the reasons why the instrument would be rejected if submitted for filing as drafted.
Payment Methods
- Credit Card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. Credit card payments are subject to an additional statutory convenience fee of 2.7% of amount charged)
- Check (personal or business)
- Money order
- Cash
All checks should be made payable to the Secretary of State. Cash should not be sent in the mail. Checks are returned, cash refunded, and credit cards are not charged when used to pay a filing fee for documents that cannot be filed.
Payment Form for transmitting client account payment information: (Word, PDF)
Alternate Return Methods
Evidence of filing is typically returned by regular mail for documents received by mail, fax, or personal delivery. If you require an alternate return method, such as return of your documents by a shipping company like Federal Express, the Secretary of State will attempt to accommodate your request.
In other words, we cannot return your documents by Federal Express unless you include a completed and paid Federal Express return envelope with your submission.
The following shipping companies regularly pick up from the Secretary of State: Federal Express, Lone Star, and UPS.
Fax Filing
When documents may be filed with reproduced signatures, the Secretary of State accepts faxed documents for filing. Fax filings for business organization filings should clearly specify whether expedited service is requested.
Fax number for transmitting business organization filings: (512) 463-5709
