CHAPTER 5. NAMES OF ENTITIES; REGISTERED AGENTS AND REGISTERED OFFICES
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE
TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 5. NAMES OF ENTITIES; REGISTERED AGENTS AND REGISTERED
OFFICES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 5.001. EFFECT ON RIGHTS UNDER OTHER LAW. (a) The filing
of a certificate of formation by a filing entity under this code,
an application for registration by a foreign filing entity under
this code, or an application for reservation or registration of a
name under this chapter does not authorize the use of a name in
this state in violation of a right of another under:
(1) the Trademark Act of 1946, as amended (15 U.S.C. Section
1051 et seq.);
(2) Chapter 16 or 71, Business & Commerce Code; or
(3) common law.
(b) The secretary of state shall deliver a notice that contains
the substance of Subsection (a) to each of the following:
(1) a filing entity that files a certificate of formation under
this code;
(2) a foreign filing entity that registers under this code;
(3) a person that reserves a name under Subchapter C; and
(4) a person that registers a name under Subchapter D.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.08, eff. April 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER B. GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO NAMES OF ENTITIES
Sec. 5.051. ASSUMED NAME. A domestic entity or a foreign entity
having authority to transact business in this state may transact
business under an assumed name by filing an assumed name
certificate in accordance with Chapter 71, Business &
Commerce Code. The requirements of this subchapter do not apply
to an assumed name set forth in an assumed name certificate filed
under that chapter.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.09, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 5.052. UNAUTHORIZED PURPOSE IN NAME PROHIBITED. A filing
entity or a foreign filing entity may not have a name that
contains any word or phrase that indicates or implies that the
entity is engaged in a business that the entity is not authorized
by law to pursue.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.053. IDENTICAL AND DECEPTIVELY SIMILAR NAMES PROHIBITED.
(a) A filing entity may not have a name, and a foreign filing
entity may not register to transact business in this state under
a name, that is the same as, or that the secretary of state
determines to be deceptively similar or similar to:
(1) the name of another existing filing entity;
(2) the name of a foreign filing entity that is registered under
Chapter 9;
(3) a name that is reserved under Subchapter C; or
(4) a name that is registered under Subchapter D.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the other entity or the
person for whom the name is reserved or registered, as
appropriate, consents in writing to the use of the similar name.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.054. NAME OF CORPORATION, FOREIGN CORPORATION,
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, OR FOREIGN PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION.
(a) The name of a corporation or foreign corporation must
contain:
(1) the word "company," "corporation," "incorporated," or
"limited"; or
(2) an abbreviation of one of those words.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a nonprofit corporation or
foreign nonprofit corporation.
(c) Instead of a word or abbreviation required by Subsection
(a), the name of a professional corporation or foreign
professional corporation may contain the phrase "professional
corporation" or an abbreviation of the phrase.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.055. NAME OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OR FOREIGN LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP. (a) The name of a limited partnership or foreign
limited partnership must contain:
(1) the word "limited";
(2) the phrase "limited partnership"; or
(3) an abbreviation of that word or phrase.
(b) The name of a domestic or foreign limited partnership that
is a limited liability limited partnership must also contain the
phrase "limited liability partnership" or an abbreviation of
that phrase.
(c) The name of a domestic or foreign limited partnership that
is a limited liability limited partnership complies with the
requirements of Subsections (a) and (b) if the name of the
limited partnership contains the phrase "limited liability
limited partnership" or an abbreviation of that phrase.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.056. NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR FOREIGN LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY. (a) The name of a limited liability company
or a foreign limited liability company doing business in this
state must contain:
(1) the phrase "limited liability company" or "limited company";
or
(2) an abbreviation of one of those phrases.
(b) A limited liability company formed before September 1, 1993,
the name of which complied with the laws of this state on the
date of formation but does not comply with this section is not
required to change its name.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.057. NAME OF COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION OR FOREIGN
COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. (a) The name of a cooperative
association or foreign cooperative association must contain:
(1) the word "cooperative"; or
(2) an abbreviation of that word.
(b) A domestic or foreign entity may use the word "cooperative"
in its name to the extent permitted by Section 251.452.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 24, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.058. NAME OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OR FOREIGN
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION. The name of a professional association
or foreign professional association must contain:
(1) the word "associated," "associates," or "association";
(2) the phrase "professional association"; or
(3) an abbreviation of one of those words or that phrase.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 25, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.059. NAME OF PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR
FOREIGN PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. (a) The name of
a professional limited liability company or foreign professional
limited liability company must contain:
(1) the phrase "professional limited liability company"; or
(2) an abbreviation of that phrase.
(b) A professional limited liability company or foreign
professional limited liability company formed before September 1,
1993, the name of which complied with the laws of this state on
the date of formation but does not comply with this section, is
not required to change its name.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.060. NAME OF PROFESSIONAL ENTITY OR FOREIGN PROFESSIONAL
ENTITY; CONFLICTS WITH OTHER LAW OR ETHICAL RULE. The name of a
professional entity or foreign professional entity must not be
contrary to a statute or regulation of this state that governs a
person who provides a professional service through the
professional entity or foreign professional entity, including a
rule of professional ethics.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 5.061. NAME CONTAINING "LOTTO" OR "LOTTERY" PROHIBITED. A
filing entity or a foreign filing entity may not have a name that
contains the word "lotto" or "lottery."
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.062. VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS; UNAUTHORIZED USE OF NAME.
(a) Subject to Subsection (b), a filing entity may not have a
name that:
(1) reasonably implies that the entity is created by or for the
benefit of war veterans or their families; and
(2) contains the word or phrase, or any variation or
abbreviation of:
(A) "veteran";
(B) "legion";
(C) "foreign";
(D) "Spanish";
(E) "disabled";
(F) "war"; or
(G) "world war."
(b) The prohibition in Subsection (a) does not apply to a filing
entity with a name approved in writing by:
(1) a congressionally recognized veterans organization with a
name containing the same word or phrase, or variation or
abbreviation, contained in the filing entity's name; or
(2) if a veterans organization described by Subdivision (1) does
not exist, the state commander of the:
(A) American Legion;
(B) Disabled American Veterans of the World War;
(C) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States;
(D) United Spanish War Veterans; or
(E) Veterans of the Spanish-American War.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.063. NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP. (a) The
name of a domestic or foreign limited liability partnership must
contain:
(1) the phrase "limited liability partnership"; or
(2) an abbreviation of the phrase.
(b) A domestic or foreign limited liability partnership is not
subject to Section 5.053.
(c) A domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is
also a limited partnership must comply with Section 5.055 and not
this section.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
64, Sec. 14, eff. January 1, 2006.
SUBCHAPTER C. RESERVATION OF NAMES
Sec. 5.101. APPLICATION FOR RESERVATION OF NAME. (a) Any
person may file an application with the secretary of state to
reserve the exclusive use of a name under this chapter.
(b) The application must be:
(1) accompanied by any required filing fee; and
(2) signed by the applicant or by the agent or attorney of the
applicant.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.102. RESERVATION OF CERTAIN NAMES PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
(a) The secretary of state may not reserve a name that is the
same as, or that the secretary of state considers deceptively
similar or similar to:
(1) the name of an existing filing entity;
(2) the name of a foreign filing entity that is registered under
Chapter 9;
(3) a name that is reserved under this subchapter; or
(4) a name that is registered under Subchapter D.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the other entity or the
person for whom the name is reserved or registered, as
appropriate, consents in writing to the subsequent reservation of
the similar name.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.103. ACTION ON APPLICATION. If the secretary of state
determines that the name specified in the application is eligible
for reservation, the secretary shall reserve that name for the
exclusive use of the applicant.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.104. DURATION OF RESERVATION OF NAME. The secretary of
state shall reserve the name for the applicant until the earlier
of:
(1) the 121st day after the date the application is accepted for
filing; or
(2) the date the applicant files with the secretary of state a
written notice of withdrawal of the reservation.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.1041. PROHIBITION ON FEE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF RESERVATION OF
NAME. The secretary of state may not impose a fee for the filing
of a written notice of withdrawal of a reservation of name.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
64, Sec. 15, eff. January 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.105. RENEWAL OF RESERVATION. A person may renew the
person's reservation of a name under this subchapter for
successive 120-day periods if, during the 30-day period preceding
the expiration of that reservation, the person:
(1) files a new application to reserve the name; and
(2) pays the required filing fee.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.106. TRANSFER OF RESERVATION OF NAME. (a) A person may
transfer the person's reservation of a name by filing with the
secretary of state a notice of transfer.
(b) The notice of transfer must:
(1) be signed by the person for whom the name is reserved; and
(2) state the name and address of the person to whom the
reservation is to be transferred.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
SUBCHAPTER D. REGISTRATION OF NAMES
Sec. 5.151. APPLICATION BY CERTAIN ENTITIES FOR REGISTRATION OF
NAME. An organization that is authorized to do business in this
state as a bank, trust company, savings association, or insurance
company, or that is a foreign filing entity not registered to do
business in this state under this code, may apply to register its
name under this subchapter.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.152. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF NAME. (a) To
register a name under this subchapter, an organization must file
an application with the secretary of state.
(b) The application must:
(1) state that the organization validly exists and is doing
business;
(2) contain a brief statement of the nature of the
organization's business;
(3) set out:
(A) the name of the organization;
(B) the name of the jurisdiction under whose laws the
organization is formed; and
(C) the date the organization was formed; and
(4) be accompanied by any required filing fee.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.153. CERTAIN REGISTRATIONS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS. (a)
The secretary of state may not register a name that is the same
as, or that the secretary of state determines to be deceptively
similar or similar to:
(1) the name of an existing filing entity;
(2) the name of a foreign filing entity that is registered under
Chapter 9;
(3) a name that is reserved under Subchapter C; or
(4) a name that is registered under this subchapter.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if:
(1) the other entity or the person for whom the name is reserved
or registered, as appropriate, consents in writing to the
registration of the similar name; or
(2) the applicant is a bank, trust company, savings association,
or insurance company that has been in continuous existence from a
date that precedes the date the conflicting name is filed with
the secretary of state.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.154. DURATION OF REGISTRATION OF NAME. The registration
of a name under this subchapter is effective until the earlier
of:
(1) the first anniversary of the date the application is
accepted for filing; or
(2) the date the entity files with the secretary of state a
written notice of withdrawal of the registration.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.155. RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION. A person may renew the
person's registration of a name under this subchapter for
successive one-year periods if, during the 90-day period
preceding the expiration of that registration, the person:
(1) files an application to renew the registration of the name;
and
(2) pays the required filing fee.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
SUBCHAPTER E. REGISTERED AGENTS AND REGISTERED OFFICES
Sec. 5.200. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Registered agent filing" means:
(A) the certificate of formation or similar organizational
document of a domestic represented entity;
(B) the application for registration of a foreign represented
entity;
(C) an appointment of agent by an unincorporated nonprofit
association under Section 252.011;
(D) an appointment of agent by a Texas financial institution
under Section 201.103, Finance Code;
(E) an appointment of agent by a defense base development
authority under Section 379B.004(b), Local Government Code;
(F) a statement by a represented entity to change the entity's
registered agent, registered office, or both;
(G) a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion;
(H) a certificate of amendment to the certificate of formation
or similar organizational document or the registration of a
represented entity;
(I) a restated certificate of formation or similar
organizational document of a represented entity;
(J) any other instrument that is required or permitted by law to
be filed by a represented entity that effects a change or
correction to the instruments listed in Paragraphs (A)-(I); and
(K) a certificate of reinstatement filed under Chapter 9 or 11.
(2) "Represented domestic entity" means:
(A) a filing entity;
(B) an unincorporated nonprofit association for which an
appointment of agent has been filed;
(C) a Texas financial institution for which an appointment of
agent has been filed;
(D) a defense base development authority for which an
appointment of agent has been filed; or
(E) any corporation, association, or other organization
incorporated or organized under any special statute of this
state, that is governed wholly or partly by this code, or to
which the general corporate laws are applicable.
(3) "Represented entity" means a represented domestic entity or
represented foreign entity.
(4) "Represented foreign entity" means:
(A) a foreign filing entity for which a registration has been
filed;
(B) a foreign limited liability partnership for which a
registration has been filed;
(C) a foreign financial institution for which a registration has
been filed; or
(D) any corporation, association, or other organization
incorporated or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other
than this state that is granted authority to conduct its affairs
in this state under any special statute of this state, that is
governed wholly or partly by this code, or to which the general
corporate laws are applicable.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.201. DESIGNATION AND MAINTENANCE OF REGISTERED AGENT AND
REGISTERED OFFICE. (a) Each filing entity and each foreign
filing entity shall designate and continuously maintain in this
state:
(1) a registered agent; and
(2) a registered office.
(b) The registered agent:
(1) is an agent of the entity on whom may be served any process,
notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on
the entity;
(2) may be:
(A) an individual who:
(i) is a resident of this state; and
(ii) has consented in a written or electronic form to be
developed by the office of the secretary of state to serve as the
registered agent of the entity; or
(B) an organization, other than the filing entity or foreign
filing entity to be represented, that:
(i) is registered or authorized to do business in this state;
and
(ii) has consented in a written or electronic form to be
developed by the office of the secretary of state to serve as the
registered agent of the entity; and
(3) must maintain a business office at the same address as the
entity's registered office.
(c) The registered office:
(1) must be located at a street address where process may be
personally served on the entity's registered agent;
(2) is not required to be a place of business of the filing
entity or foreign filing entity; and
(3) may not be solely a mailbox service or a telephone answering
service.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
688, Sec. 28, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.2011. CONSENT TO SERVE AS REGISTERED AGENT. (a) The
designation or appointment of a person as registered agent by an
organizer or managerial official of an entity in a registered
agent filing is an affirmation by the organizer or managerial
official that the person named as registered agent has consented
to serve in that capacity.
(b) If a person designated or appointed as registered agent in a
registered agent filing before the sale, acquisition, or transfer
of a majority-in-interest or majority interest of the outstanding
ownership or membership interests of the represented entity
continues to serve in that capacity after the sale, acquisition,
or transfer, the person's continuation of service is an
affirmation by the governing authority of the represented entity
that the governing authority has verified that the person named
as registered agent has consented to continue to serve in that
capacity.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 3, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.202. CHANGE BY ENTITY TO REGISTERED OFFICE OR REGISTERED
AGENT. (a) A filing entity or foreign filing entity may change
its registered office, its registered agent, or both by filing a
statement of the change in accordance with Chapter 4.
(b) The statement must contain:
(1) the name of the entity;
(2) the name of the entity's registered agent;
(3) the street address of the entity's registered agent;
(4) if the change relates to the registered agent, the name of
the entity's new registered agent;
(5) if the change relates to the registered office, the street
address of the entity's new registered office;
(6) a recitation that the change specified in the statement is
authorized by the entity; and
(7) a recitation that the street address of the registered
office and the street address of the registered agent's business
are the same.
(c) On acceptance of the statement by the filing officer, the
statement is effective as an amendment to the appropriate
provision of:
(1) the filing entity's certificate of formation; or
(2) the foreign filing entity's registration.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.203. CHANGE BY REGISTERED AGENT TO NAME OR ADDRESS OF
REGISTERED OFFICE. (a) The registered agent of a filing entity
or a foreign filing entity may change its name, its address as
the address of the entity's registered office, or both by filing
a statement of the change in accordance with Chapter 4.
(b) The statement must be signed by the registered agent, or a
person authorized to sign the statement on behalf of the
registered agent, and must contain:
(1) the name of the entity represented by the registered agent;
(2) the name of the entity's registered agent and the address at
which the registered agent maintained the entity's registered
office;
(3) if the change relates to the name of the registered agent,
the new name of that agent;
(4) if the change relates to the address of the registered
office, the new address of that office; and
(5) a recitation that written notice of the change was given to
the entity at least 10 days before the date the statement is
filed.
(c) On acceptance of the statement by the filing officer, the
statement is effective as an amendment to the appropriate
provision of:
(1) the filing entity's certificate of formation; or
(2) the foreign filing entity's registration.
(d) A registered agent may file a statement under this section
that applies to more than one entity.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.204. RESIGNATION OF REGISTERED AGENT. (a) A registered
agent of a filing entity or a foreign filing entity may resign as
the registered agent by giving notice to that entity and to the
appropriate filing officer.
(b) Notice to the entity must be given to the entity at the
address of the entity most recently known by the agent.
(c) Notice to the filing officer must be given before the 11th
day after the date notice under Subsection (b) is mailed or
delivered and must include:
(1) the address of the entity most recently known by the agent;
(2) a statement that written notice of the resignation has been
given to the entity; and
(3) the date on which that written notice of resignation was
given.
(d) On compliance with Subsections (b) and (c), the appointment
of the registered agent and the designation of the registered
office terminate. The termination is effective on the 31st day
after the date the secretary of state receives the notice.
(e) If the filing officer finds that a notice of resignation
received by the filing officer conforms to Subsections (b) and
(c), the filing officer shall:
(1) notify the entity of the registered agent's resignation; and
(2) file the resignation in accordance with Chapter 4, except
that a fee is not required to file the resignation.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 4, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.205. REJECTION OF APPOINTMENT. (a) A person designated
or appointed as an entity's registered agent in a registered
agent filing without the person's consent may terminate the
person's appointment or designation as registered agent by filing
a statement of rejection of appointment with the filing officer.
(b) The statement of rejection of appointment must:
(1) be signed by the person named as registered agent;
(2) contain the name of the represented entity; and
(3) contain a statement certifying that the person did not
consent to serve as the represented entity's registered agent on
the date on which the registered agent filing on which the person
is named as registered agent took effect.
(c) On acceptance of the statement of rejection of appointment
by the filing officer, the designation or appointment of that
person as registered agent and the designation of the registered
office terminate.
(d) On termination of the designation or appointment of a
registered agent and the designation of the registered office,
the secretary of state shall send notice to the represented
entity of the necessity to designate or appoint a new registered
agent and registered office in accordance with Section 9.101 or
11.251, as applicable.
(e) The filing officer may not charge a fee for the filing of a
statement of rejection of appointment.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.206. DUTIES OF REGISTERED AGENT. (a) The only duties of
a registered agent are to:
(1) receive or accept, and forward to the represented entity at
the address most recently provided to the registered agent by the
represented entity, or otherwise notify the represented entity at
that address regarding, any process, notice, or demand that is
served on or received by the registered agent; and
(2) provide the notices required or permitted by law to be given
to the represented entity to the address most recently provided
to the registered agent by the represented entity.
(b) A person named as the registered agent for a represented
entity in a registered agent filing without the person's consent
is not required to perform the duties prescribed by this section.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.207. DESIGNATION OF REGISTERED AGENT WITHOUT CONSENT;
PENALTIES AND LIABILITIES. Sections 4.007 and 4.008 apply with
respect to a false statement in a registered agent filing that
names a person the registered agent of a represented entity
without the person's consent.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2010.
Sec. 5.208. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. (a) A person designated
or appointed as the registered agent of a represented entity is
not liable solely because of the person's designation or
appointment as registered agent for the debts, liabilities, or
obligations of the represented entity.
(b) A person who has been designated or appointed as a
registered agent in a registered agent filing but has not
consented to serve as the represented entity's registered agent
may not be held liable:
(1) under a judgment, decree, or order of a court, agency, or
tribunal of any type, or in any other manner, in this or any
other state, or on any other basis, for a debt, obligation, or
liability of the represented entity, whether arising in contract,
tort, or otherwise, solely because of the person's designation or
appointment as registered agent; or
(2) to the represented entity or to a person who reasonably
relied on the unauthorized designation or appointment solely
because of the person's failure or refusal to perform the duties
of a registered agent under Section 5.206.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1123, Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2010.
SUBCHAPTER F. SERVICE OF PROCESS
Sec. 5.251. FAILURE TO DESIGNATE REGISTERED AGENT. The
secretary of state is an agent of an entity for purposes of
service of process, notice, or demand on the entity if:
(1) the entity is a filing entity or a foreign filing entity
and:
(A) the entity fails to appoint or does not maintain a
registered agent in this state; or
(B) the registered agent of the entity cannot with reasonable
diligence be found at the registered office of the entity; or
(2) the entity is a foreign filing entity and:
(A) the entity's registration to do business under this code is
revoked; or
(B) the entity transacts business in this state without being
registered as required by Chapter 9.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.252. SERVICE ON SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) Service on the
secretary of state under Section 5.251 is effected by:
(1) delivering to the secretary duplicate copies of the process,
notice, or demand; and
(2) accompanying the copies with any fee required by law,
including this code or the Government Code, for:
(A) maintenance by the secretary of a record of the service; and
(B) forwarding by the secretary of the process, notice, or
demand.
(b) Notice on the secretary of state under Subsection (a) is
returnable in not less than 30 days.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.253. ACTION BY SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) After service in
compliance with Section 5.252, the secretary of state shall
immediately send one of the copies of the process, notice, or
demand to the named entity.
(b) The notice must be:
(1) addressed to the most recent address of the entity on file
with the secretary of state; and
(2) sent by certified mail, with return receipt requested.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.254. REQUIRED RECORDS OF SECRETARY OF STATE. The
secretary of state shall keep a record of each process, notice,
or demand served on the secretary under this subchapter and shall
record:
(1) the time when each service on the secretary was made; and
(2) each subsequent action of the secretary taken in relation to
that service.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.255. AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS, NOTICE, OR DEMAND AS
MATTER OF LAW. For the purpose of service of process, notice, or
demand:
(1) the president and each vice president of a domestic or
foreign corporation is an agent of that corporation;
(2) each general partner of a domestic or foreign limited
partnership and each partner of a domestic or foreign general
partnership is an agent of that partnership;
(3) each manager of a manager-managed domestic or foreign
limited liability company and each member of a member-managed
domestic or foreign limited liability company is an agent of that
limited liability company;
(4) each person who is a governing person of a domestic or
foreign entity, other than an entity listed in Subdivisions
(1)-(3), is an agent of that entity; and
(5) each member of a committee of a nonprofit corporation
authorized to perform the chief executive function of the
corporation is an agent of that corporation.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.256. OTHER MEANS OF SERVICE NOT PRECLUDED. This chapter
does not preclude other means of service of process, notice, or
demand on a domestic or foreign entity as provided by other law.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Sec. 5.257. SERVICE OF PROCESS BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A
process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be
served by a political subdivision of this state or by a person,
including another political subdivision or an attorney, acting on
behalf of a political subdivision in connection with the
collection of a delinquent ad valorem tax may be served on a
domestic or foreign corporation whose corporate privileges are
forfeited under Section 171.251, Tax Code, that is involuntarily
terminated under Chapter 11, or whose registration is revoked
under Chapter 9 by delivery of the process, notice, or demand to
any officer or director of the corporation, as listed in the most
recent records of the secretary of state.
(b) If the officers or directors of a corporation are unknown or
cannot be found, service on the corporation may be made in the
same manner as service is made on unknown shareholders under law.
(c) Notwithstanding any disability or reinstatement of a
corporation, service of process under this section is sufficient
for a judgment against the corporation or a judgment in rem
against any property to which the corporation holds title.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.