Home Blog How Much Does a Texas LLC Cost?

How Much Does a Texas LLC Cost?

This page explains the average cost of an LLC in Texas, based on marketplace data from the ContractsCounsel platform.

Jump to Section

Quick Facts — LLC Lawyers (Texas)

What does a Texas LLC cost? This is a common question for new business owners in Texas who are establishing a limited liability company. So let’s explore this question and review some general information about LLCs and how they are formed.

How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC in Texas?

An LLC, short for limited liability company, is a type of business structure used by many large and small businesses in the United States.

An LLC combines some of the most advantageous characteristics of a corporation with the flexible characteristics of a sole proprietorship or a partnership.

Tax benefits are one of the main reasons that business owners choose to form an LLC. An LLC can be a single-member LLC with only one owner or a multi-member LLC with several owners.

Single-member LLCs are usually treated as sole proprietorships for federal tax purposes. However, multi-member LLCs can choose to be taxed as a corporation or partnership. These tax choices give business owners control over how their business handles profit and loss.

LLC owners, even single-member LLC owners who are taxed like a sole proprietorship, also benefit from limited liability protection. For example, the owner or member's assets are protected if the LLC is involved in a lawsuit or collections action.

When establishing a new LLC in Texas, the owner or members will incur several formation fees, including:

  1. Certificate of Formation Fee. Texas requires all new LLCs to file a Certificate of Formation, similar to articles of organization, with the Secretary of State. If your LLC is registered in another state, a Texas Foreign LLC fee is $750.
  2. Texas Certificate of Good Standing. A certificate of good standing is proof that the LLC is registered. Texas doesn’t require this document, but you need it to open a business bank account and apply for business loans. Texas charges a $15 filing fee for a certificate of status.

There are several optional fees that an LLC owner may run into when forming their LLC in Texas. Some additional fees may include:

  • Registered Agent Fee. Business owners can be their registered agents, but some businesses like to hire a registered agent service. The cost for a registered agent will vary.
  • DBA “doing business as” Name. If the company wants to conduct business under a different name than the registered one, the owner must file an Assumed Name Certificate and pay the $25 filing fee.
  • Certified Document Copies. Texas charges $30 for certified copies of business documents.

Based on ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data, the average cost to start an LLC in Texas is $495.00.

Texas LLC Ongoing Costs

Once an LLC is formed, the owner or members will be responsible for paying yearly fees to keep the business in good legal standing with the state. Some ongoing fees that Texas LLC owners may encounter include:

  • Texas Annual Report Fee. Texas requires all LLCs to file an annual report, but they do not charge a filing fee. However, if the report is late (filed after May 15), the business will be subject to a $50 late fee.
  • Business license renewal fees. Some businesses may require state or county permits. However, most permits need to be renewed annually or every few years.

Texas LLC Drafting Projects

Operating Agreement Drafting

Texas laws do not require members of an LLC to have or file an operating agreement with the state. However, it is highly recommended that a business drafts an operating agreement anyway.

An operating agreement outlines business policies and will protect a business owner’s assets from any business liability. Benefits of having an operating agreement include:

  • Clear set of company policy and procedure
  • Liability protection
  • Tax benefits
  • Conflict resolution

Hiring a lawyer who has experience drafting operating agreements is highly encouraged. An attorney will know how to custom tailor an operating agreement to fit your business’s needs while protecting the owners and members from business liability.

Meet some lawyers on our platform

Lori B.

211 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Ryenne S.

965 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Edward B.

82 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Faryal A.

398 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Certificate of Formation Drafting

Texas requires all LLCs to file a Certificate of Formation, similar to Articles of Organization required in other states. A Certificate of Formation is a document that provides the Secretary of State with valuable information about your business.

Information required on a Certificate of Formation includes:

  • LLC name. The name must meet Texas naming guidelines, and an LLC name must consist of “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of its abbreviations: LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.
  • Registered agent name and physical address. The registered agent must be over 18 years old and live in Texas.
  • Governing authority type. The governing authority is the management structure of the LLC. It can either be member-managed or manager-managed.
  • Business purpose. Businesses can be formed for any legal purpose in Texas, but the language used in this section can affect licensing and tax exemption status.

If you aren’t sure what language you should use in the Certificate of Formation, it is recommended that you hire a Texas attorney to draft this important business document.

An experienced lawyer will know what needs to be included in the Certificate of Formation to ensure that your LLC has a name that follows Texas guidelines. In addition, your business purpose allows you to take advantage of any tax benefits available.

How Do Texas Lawyers Charge for LLC Projects?

Hourly Rates for Texas LLC Projects

Texas LLC lawyers commonly use an hourly rate fee structure to charge clients. Under this fee agreement, the lawyer will keep track of their time working on LLC formation projects like filing formation documents or drafting an operating agreement.

Once the lawyer completes the job and all legal projects are finished, the lawyer will bill the LLC owner for their time at a predetermined hourly rate. This fee agreement ensures that a lawyer is compensated for all time working for the business owner.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows that the average hourly rate for an LLC lawyer in Texas ranges from $200 to $350 per hour.

Flat Fee Rates for Texas LLC Projects

If a lawyer is hired for a specific project, like drafting an operating agreement, they can choose to use a flat rate fee instead of charging hourly.

Under a flat fee rate agreement, the lawyer will determine a fair cost of legal services based on the complexity of the project and an estimate of the time it will take to complete. Flat rate fees are usually paid upfront before the lawyer begins work.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average flat fee rate for an LLC project in Texas is $495.00.

Get Help with Forming an LLC in Texas

Do you need help with a Texas LLC project? If so, post a project in ContractsCounsel’s marketplace to receive flat fee bids from business lawyers who are licensed to practice law in Texas. All lawyers on the ContractsCounsel’s platform are vetted by our team to make sure you are provided with top tier service.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


Meet some of our Lawyers

Garrett M. on ContractsCounsel
View Garrett
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
August 30, 2021

Garrett M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Dexter, MO
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX MO
University of Texas

I am a solo practitioner with a practice mostly consisting of serving as counsel to start-ups and small business owners and investors. With a practical business background, I aim to bring practical, business minded solutions to my client's legal problems and pride myself on efficient yet effective work.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Garrett was extremely professional, attentive, and adhered to the very tight deadlines we had set. I would like to highlight that, in addition to completing the task assigned to him, he took the initiative to research all parties involved in the contract to provide us with the best possible support. We are very satisfied and look forward to working with him again."

Alexander N. on ContractsCounsel
View Alexander
5.0 (63)
Member Since:
June 17, 2024

Alexander N.

Founder
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, California
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
University of Southern California Gould School of Law

Having overseen over $1.2 billion in transaction value, we are able to provide top-tier service at affordable rates, with much more personalized attention and fast turnarounds. After working for a AM Law Top 100 firm, I started my own firm and have been lucky enough to represent numerous conglomerates (FOX, Endeavor, etc.), promising startups, small businesses and private individuals. Our areas of expertise - Business Formations and Operating Agreements; Capital Raises and Debt Financing; Commercial Transactions; M&A; Real Estate; Intellectual Property; Employment and Hiring; Outside General Counsel; Corporate Agreements and Governance; Litigation and Dispute Resolution. We have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Marketwatch, Yahoo Finance, Variety, Business Insider, Los Angeles Magazine, the LA Times, and others. We are driven by an unwavering commitment to our clients, going above and beyond to deliver results.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Very fast turnaround time, easy to work with, appreciate the contract review!"

Ryenne S. on ContractsCounsel
View Ryenne
4.9 (593)
Member Since:
October 11, 2022

Ryenne S.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, Illinois
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
DePaul University College of Law

My name is Ryenne Shaw and I help business owners build businesses that operate as assets instead of liabilities, increase in value over time and build wealth. My areas of expertise include corporate formation and business structure, contract law, employment/labor law, business risk and compliance and intellectual property. I also serve as outside general counsel to several businesses across various industries nationally. I spent most of my early legal career assisting C.E.O.s, General Counsel, and in-house legal counsel of both large and smaller corporations in minimizing liability, protecting business assets and maximizing profits. While working with many of these entities, I realized that smaller entities are often underserved. I saw that smaller business owners weren’t receiving the same level of legal support larger corporations relied upon to grow and sustain. I knew this was a major contributor to the ceiling that most small businesses hit before they’ve even scratched the surface of their potential. And I knew at that moment that all of this lack of knowledge and support was creating a huge wealth gap. After over ten years of legal experience, I started my law firm to provide the legal support small to mid-sized business owners and entrepreneurs need to grow and protect their brands, businesses, and assets. I have a passion for helping small to mid-sized businesses and startups grow into wealth-building assets by leveraging the same legal strategies large corporations have used for years to create real wealth. I enjoy connecting with my clients, learning about their visions and identifying ways to protect and maximize the reach, value and impact of their businesses. I am a strong legal writer with extensive litigation experience, including both federal and state (and administratively), which brings another element to every contract I prepare and the overall counsel and value I provide. Some of my recent projects include: - Negotiating & Drafting Commercial Lease Agreements - Drafting Trademark Licensing Agreements - Drafting Ambassador and Influencer Agreements - Drafting Collaboration Agreements - Drafting Service Agreements for service-providers, coaches and consultants - Drafting Master Service Agreements and SOWs - Drafting Terms of Service and Privacy Policies - Preparing policies and procedures for businesses in highly regulated industries - Drafting Employee Handbooks, Standard Operations and Procedures (SOPs) manuals, employment agreements - Creating Employer-employee infrastructure to ensure business compliance with employment and labor laws - Drafting Independent Contractor Agreements and Non-Disclosure/Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation Agreements - Conducting Federal Trademark Searches and filing trademark applications - Preparing Trademark Opinion Letters after conducting appropriate legal research - Drafting Letters of Opinion for Small Business Loans - Drafting and Responding to Cease and Desist Letters I service clients throughout the United States across a broad range of industries.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I was looking for solid expertise and a quick turnaround. Ryenne, you delivered perfectly. THANKS."

Steven S. on ContractsCounsel
View Steven
5.0 (57)
Member Since:
April 7, 2023

Steven S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York; Florida
45 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL, NY
New York Law School

Steven Stark has more than 35 years of experience in business and commercial law representing start-ups as well as large and small companies spanning a wide variety of industries. Steven has provided winning strategies, valuable advice, and highly effective counsel on legal issues in the areas of Business Entity Formation and Organization, Drafting Key Business Contracts, Trademark and Copyright Registration, Independent Contractor Relationships, and Website Compliance, including Terms and Privacy Policies. Steven has also served as General Counsel for companies providing software development, financial services, digital marketing, and eCommerce platforms. Steven’s tactical business and client focused approach to drafting contracts, polices and corporate documents results in favorable outcomes at a fraction of the typical legal cost to his clients. Steven received his Juris Doctor degree at New York Law School and his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Hofstra University.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Steven was great. He was very communicative and was able to get the project done in a very timely manner."

Rhea d. on ContractsCounsel
View Rhea
5.0 (80)
Member Since:
April 12, 2023

Rhea d.

Attorney
Free Consultation
San Francisco Bay Area, California
29 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, DC
University of Utah

Rhea de Aenlle is a business-savvy attorney with extensive experience in Privacy & Data Security (CIPP/US, CIPP/E), GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, FERPA, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Contracts. She has over 25 years of legal experience as an in-house counsel, AM Law 100 firm associate, and a solo practice attorney. Rhea works with start-up and midsize technology companies.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Rhea is very knowledgable, quick, and provides great communication."

Michael S. on ContractsCounsel
View Michael
4.9 (7)
Member Since:
April 16, 2023

Michael S.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, California
31 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, NY
Harvard Law School

I began my career at "big law" firms, worked in-house for 14 years, and now have my own practice, providing big law quality at small firm rates. My practice focuses on strategic and commercial transactions, including M&A, preferred stock and common stock offerings, asset purchases and sales, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, stock option plans, master services agreements and SOWs, software development and license agreements, SaaS agreements, NDAs, employment and consulting agreements. I also manage corporate governance, advise boards and executives, and act as outside general counsel. I represent clients across the country and around the world.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
4.0

"Completed most of the work with majority of the answers correct!"

Ryan D. on ContractsCounsel
View Ryan
4.8 (23)
Member Since:
April 25, 2023

Ryan D.

Partner
Free Consultation
Charlotte, North Carolina
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NC, NJ, SC
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Ryan Duffy is a skilled attorney with extensive experience in business law and estate planning. He received his undergraduate degree in Business from Franklin & Marshall College and went on to graduate from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ryan has worked with numerous clients on matters ranging from business formation and contract drafting to estate planning and asset protection. He is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes achieve their goals while minimizing legal risks. He also works closely with individuals and families to help them protect their assets and plan for the future. With his extensive knowledge and practical approach, Ryan can provide valuable legal guidance and support to clients in need of business law and estate planning services.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Awesome work, really put my mind at ease during a contract dispute with a major company."

Sonya A. on ContractsCounsel
View Sonya
Member Since:
April 14, 2023

Sonya A.

Principal
Free Consultation
Washington
25 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CT, DC
Howard University School of Law

Experienced Attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in Preparation of Wills, Trial Practice, Estate Administration, Trusts, and Estate Planning. Strong legal professional with a Juris Doctorate focused in Law from Howard University School of Law.

Karen M. on ContractsCounsel
View Karen
Member Since:
April 14, 2023

Karen M.

Managing Member
Free Consultation
Atlanta, Georgia
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in GA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Karen V. Mills is the founding member of the woman-owned boutique law firm Mills Law, LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in contracts, corporate transactional and business law.

Andrew M. on ContractsCounsel
View Andrew
Member Since:
April 17, 2023
Sean F. on ContractsCounsel
View Sean
Member Since:
March 11, 2025

Sean F.

Lawyer
Free Consultation
Ft. Lauderdale
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in FL
NSU Shepard Broad College of Law

Mr. Foo represents clients on various employment matters, including wage and hour issues (i.e., overtime and minimum wage claims) as well as preparation of employment documents such as handbooks, employment contracts, and general workplace policies and procedures. Mr. Foo is admitted to practice in the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, and all state courts in Florida.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

See Real LLC Formation Projects

Texas LLC Formation Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $285 - $850
View Details
Texas LLC Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $385 - $1,000
View Details
Texas LLC name change or be known as name. Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 2 lawyer bids
  • $100 - $420
View Details
Texas warranty deed and llc formation in texas Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 5 lawyer bids
  • $1 - $900
View Details
Texas Prepare and File LLC Paperwork, and Independent Contractor Agreement Related Guidance (Texas) Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 4 lawyer bids
  • $400 - $1,499
View Details
Texas Prepare & File LLC Paperwork and Operational Agreement Prepare & File
  • Texas
  • 9 lawyer bids
  • $495 - $1,800
View Details

See all LLC Formation projects in Texas

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to form an LLC?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 20,212 reviews
CONTRACT LAWYERS BY TOP CITIES
See All Corporate Lawyers

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Need to form an LLC?

Create a free project posting
Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 20,212 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city