The Texas Business and Commerce Code requires businesses to file an ASSUMED NAME CERTIFICATE, commonly known as “doing business as or dba”.

Most banks require an Assumed Name to be filed in order to open a business checking account. An Assumed Name Certificate must be filed with the County Clerk’s office in the county in which you plan to conduct business.

Please, note the following:

• Prior to creating a new business and completing your Assumed Name form, you must conduct a search to ensure the name you’ve selected isn’t being used. You may search for that name at smith.tx.publicsearch.us.
• State Search - For state-filed businesses such as Corporations, LLC's etc. contact the Secretary of State to determine if a name you want to register is available. Visit the Secretary of State, call (512) 475-2755, or email SOSDirect@sos.state.tx.us
• County Search – For business names filed at the county level. Searches must be completed at the County Clerk’s office. Staff members in the clerk’s office are prohibited from conducting searches for you.
• Assumed Name forms can be picked up at the County Clerk's office, or downloaded online. Questions concerning the process of filing an assume name will need to be directed to an attorney, as we cannot offer legal advice per Texas Gov't Code Sec 81.01.
• Once you’ve determined the appropriate form needed, complete the form and bring it to the Official Public Records Dept. located in the basement of the County Clerk’s office at 200 E Ferguson, Tyler. Please bring your valid government issued ID. The required fee of $24.00 for the first signature (owner) and .50 for each additional signature (owner) will be collected at the time of filing. If all owners appear in person with valid picture I.D.'s, the Deputy Clerk can acknowledge your form for $1.00.
• All signatures must be notarized and all persons must be present to have their signature notarized
• Assumed Name Certificates are effective for a term not to exceed 10 years from the date the certificate is filed. 

• We accept credit/debit cards, cash, cashier’s checks, personal checks (with proper I.D.), and money orders made payable to Karen Phillips, County Clerk.

Office hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. All transactions must be completed by 4:45p.m. to allow time for deputy clerks to close and reconcile registers.

For additional information contact the Secretary of State at (512) 463-5555 or visit the website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_boc.shtml