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If you are a sole proprietor or general partnership operating a business in the Austin area under a name other than your legal name, you are required to file an Assumed Name Certificate — commonly called a DBA — with the Travis County Clerk's Recording Division. This guide covers everything you need to know: who must file in Travis County, how to search for name availability, where to go, what to bring, how much it costs, and what happens after you file.
Who Must File a DBA in Travis County?
Travis County DBA filings are for unincorporated businesses — primarily sole proprietors and general partnerships — that conduct business in Travis County under a name other than the owner's legal name.
If you are an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, or other incorporated entity, you do not file with the Travis County Clerk. As of September 1, 2019 (following HB 3609), incorporated entities are required to file their Assumed Name Certificates directly with the Texas Secretary of State using Form 503. The Travis County Clerk no longer accepts or records incorporated assumed names.
You must file in Travis County if you:
- Maintain a business office in Travis County and operate under an assumed name
- Conduct business in Travis County without a fixed office and use a name other than your legal name
- Are a general partnership with partners conducting business in Travis County under a trade name
If you operate in additional Texas counties beyond Travis County, you must file a separate Assumed Name Certificate with the county clerk in each additional county as well.
Before You File: Search for Name Availability
While Texas law does not prohibit two businesses from using the same assumed name, conducting a name search before filing is strongly recommended. The Travis County Clerk maintains a searchable database of all assumed names on file in the county.
Option 1: Travis County Online Public Records Search
The Travis County Clerk provides an online public records search portal where you can search existing assumed name certificates at no charge. Visit the Travis County Clerk's official website at countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov to access the records search. Search by the proposed business name or by owner name to find existing filings.
Option 2: In-Office Name Search (Fee: $10.00)
For a fee of $10.00, Recording Division staff will conduct a name search of the county's assumed name records for you. This option is available during regular office hours at the Main Office or the Civil Family Courthouse sub-station. Staff will advise whether the name appears to be in use, though this search is not a legal guarantee of name availability or exclusivity.
tmsearch.uspto.gov.
Obtaining the Travis County Assumed Name Certificate Form
Travis County uses its own Assumed Name Certificate form. Do not use a generic form downloaded from a third-party website — use the official Travis County form to ensure it meets the county's current requirements.
The Travis County Assumed Name Certificate form is available for free download from the Travis County Clerk's official website at countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/forms. The form is provided as a PDF. Print it clearly in black ink before completing it.
The form will ask you to provide:
- The assumed name (the DBA name you want to use)
- The legal name and residence address of each owner
- The type of business (sole proprietorship, general partnership, etc.)
- A statement that the business will be conducted under the assumed name in Travis County
- The duration of the filing (you may select any term up to 10 years)
- The signature of each owner (which must be notarized)
Notarization Requirements
All owner signatures on a Travis County Assumed Name Certificate must be notarized. This is a firm requirement — unsigned or un-notarized certificates will be rejected.
Filing In Person
If you are filing in person at the Recording Division, you may be able to sign the certificate in front of a notary at the office. Call ahead at (512) 854-9188 to confirm current notary availability before your visit. All listed owners must be present with valid government-issued photo identification if signing at the office.
Filing by Mail
If filing by mail, have all owner signatures notarized by a licensed Texas notary public before mailing the form. The notary must complete their acknowledgment section, affix their official seal, and sign and date the certificate. Do not mail an un-notarized form — it will be returned to you unfiled.
Attorney-in-Fact Signing
If an attorney-in-fact signs on behalf of an owner, the certificate must include a statement that the attorney-in-fact has been authorized in writing by the principal to execute the certificate. Written authorization documentation should accompany the filing.
Filing Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Filing fee — 1 owner | $23.00 |
| Each additional owner listed | +$0.50 per owner |
| Name availability search (optional) | $10.00 |
| Certified copy (at time of filing) | Varies — confirm with office |
Accepted Payment Methods
In person: Cash, personal check, or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) are accepted at the Recording Division offices.
By mail: Payment must be made by cashier's check or money order made payable to the Travis County Clerk. Do not mail cash. Personal checks are generally not accepted for mail submissions — confirm with the office before sending.
Submission Methods: Walk-In, Mail, and Online
Option 1: Walk-In Filing (Recommended)
Filing in person at the Recording Division is the fastest option. Bring your completed, notarized certificate and payment. Walk-in filings are typically processed while you wait — you leave with your file-stamped certificate the same day. This is the preferred method for most first-time filers because staff can answer questions on the spot and you can have the form notarized at the office if needed.
Option 2: Filing by Mail
Mail your completed, notarized certificate with a cashier's check or money order to the Travis County Clerk's mailing address. Processing time by mail is approximately 7–14 business days. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage if you want a certified copy returned to you. Do not fold the certificate.
Option 3: Online Application
Travis County offers an online application option through the county clerk's website. However, even with an online application, payment must typically be completed in person at the office. Review the current online application instructions on the Travis County Clerk website at countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/dbas for the most up-to-date process before beginning an online submission.
Travis County Clerk Recording Division: Locations and Hours
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main Office | 5501 Airport Blvd., Ste. 100B, Austin, TX 78751 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Civil Family Courthouse Sub-station | 1700 Guadalupe St., 4th Floor, Ste. 4.300, Austin, TX 78701 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 149325, Austin, TX 78714 | N/A |
| Phone | (512) 854-9188 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Website | countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov | Available 24/7 |
After Filing: What to Expect
What You Receive
After your certificate is accepted and processed, you will receive a file-stamped copy of the Assumed Name Certificate. The file stamp shows the date of filing and serves as your official proof of compliance. This stamped certificate is what banks, title companies, and other parties will ask to see when you conduct business under the assumed name.
How Long It Is Valid
Your Travis County DBA certificate is valid for the duration stated on the certificate — up to a maximum of 10 years from the date of filing. The expiration date is determined at the time you complete the form. When the certificate approaches expiration, you must file a new certificate to maintain continuous compliance. Note the expiration date in your business records and set a calendar reminder well in advance.
If Your Information Changes
Texas law does not permit amendments to an Assumed Name Certificate. If any information on the certificate becomes materially misleading — for example, if you move to a new address, change your name, or alter your business structure — you must file a new certificate within 60 days of the change. The filing fee applies again for the new certificate.
Withdrawing a Name or Abandoning the Certificate
Withdrawal of an Individual Owner's Name
If a business has multiple owners listed on the certificate and one owner is leaving the business — but the business will continue operating under the same assumed name — that owner should file a Withdrawal Notice of Individual Name with the Travis County Clerk. This removes only that individual from the certificate without canceling the assumed name for the remaining owners.
Certificate of Abandonment
If the business wishes to formally stop using the assumed name entirely before the certificate expires, the owner(s) should file a Certificate of Abandonment with the Travis County Clerk. Both the Withdrawal Notice and the Certificate of Abandonment forms are available on the Travis County Clerk's forms page at countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/forms.
It is important to file abandonment if you are done using the assumed name, particularly if the business is closing. Allowing a certificate to remain on record without abandonment does not create ongoing obligations, but formally abandoning it keeps your public records clean and accurate.
Travis County DBA vs. Other Austin-Area Counties
The Austin metropolitan area spans multiple Texas counties. Many businesses in the greater Austin area operate in Travis County and one or more neighboring counties. If your unincorporated business operates in neighboring counties, you must file separately in each one.
| County | County Seat | Base Fee (1 Owner) | Additional Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis County | Austin | $23.00 | +$0.50 |
| Williamson County | Georgetown | Varies — confirm with clerk | +$0.50 |
| Hays County | San Marcos | Varies — confirm with clerk | +$0.50 |
| Bastrop County | Bastrop | Varies — confirm with clerk | +$0.50 |
| Caldwell County | Lockhart | Varies — confirm with clerk | +$0.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm an LLC based in Austin — do I file my DBA with Travis County?
No. As of September 1, 2019, LLCs and other incorporated entities are required to file their Assumed Name Certificates with the Texas Secretary of State using Form 503 — not with any county clerk. The Travis County Clerk no longer accepts incorporated assumed name filings. Your single Secretary of State filing covers all 254 Texas counties.
Can I file my Travis County DBA online completely?
Travis County offers an online application portal, but the process typically still requires in-person payment at the office. The online portal is best used to begin the application, but most filers complete the process in person. Check the current instructions on the Travis County Clerk website for the most up-to-date online filing process.
Do I need a lawyer to file a DBA in Travis County?
Texas law does not require an attorney to file an Assumed Name Certificate. The county clerk's staff can answer basic procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice. If your situation involves questions about entity type, multi-owner structures, or potential naming conflicts, consulting a Texas business attorney is advisable.
What if I operate my business out of my home in Travis County?
If you maintain your business operations from your home address in Travis County — even if you also serve clients in other locations — Travis County is your principal business office county. File your Assumed Name Certificate with the Travis County Clerk. If you also regularly conduct business in other counties and maintain a presence there, you may need to file in those counties as well.
How long does it take to get my DBA certificate in Travis County?
Walk-in filings at the Recording Division are typically processed the same day — you leave with a file-stamped certificate. Mail filings take approximately 7–14 business days to process, plus return mail time. There is no expedited processing option comparable to the Secretary of State's paid expedite service.
My Travis County DBA expired two years ago. What do I do?
File a new Assumed Name Certificate with the Travis County Clerk. There is no reinstatement process — you simply file a fresh certificate as if for the first time and pay the current filing fee. Be aware that during the lapse period, your right to maintain lawsuits arising from contracts under that assumed name was suspended under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 71.201. Filing a new certificate restores that right going forward.