SOS Modernization Program
Texas is improving business and government filings!
We're modernizing our systems to make it easier to handle your filing needs. Our goal? To create a user-friendly experience that takes the hassle out of filing for businesses and individuals alike.
Please visit the page periodically to learn more about the latest services available in our new portal.
Latest Updates
August 21, 2024: LegalEase® payment option being discontinued
The Office of the Texas Secretary of State has recently been informed by Frost Bank that they will discontinue their LegalEase® payment product - a deposit account system administered by Frost Bank. As a result, beginning October 1, 2024, LegalEase® will no longer be accepted as a payment option for our agency’s services in SOSDirect. We will continue to process any paper submissions we receive with LegalEase® payment up until Frost’s processing deadline of October 31, 2024. For LegalEase® customer or service-related questions, please contact Frost Treasury Management Customer Service at (888) 481-0336.
July 19, 2024: SOS Client accounts are changing
Registered trademarks and service marks are no longer searchable in SOSDirect as all related services have moved completely to the new SOSPortal.
SOSDirect and SOSUpload have not changed, with the one exception noted above. You may continue to submit business entity filings through SOSDirect and SOSUpload for the foreseeable future. For UCC-related services, such as submitting filings, searches, and orders, you may continue to use SOSDirect until they transition to SOSPortal in late 2024. Customers currently utilizing an SOS Client Account for those UCC services may wish to use any remaining balance prior to that transition to SOSPortal because existing funds will not transfer to the new system.
Recent System Changes
+ New Features to our Online Trademarks System
You can now renew your Trademark or Service mark, assign or transfer ownership of a mark, and search for registered Trademarks – all online! We recently added these features and more to our new Trademarks system. This system will make it easier and faster to make changes to your marks.
+ Introducing Our Vision Support Organization Registration Application
Our new SOS online portal now supports Vision Support Organization registration as required by Chapter 74 of the Business and Commerce Code. Visit our VSO page for more details.
+ Introducing Our New Data Broker Registration Application
We just launched our new system that allows data brokers to register as required by Chapter 509 of the Business and Commerce Code. Visit our Data Broker page for more details.
+ Introducing Our New Trademarks Application
We’ve made it easier and faster for you to apply for protection of your intellectual property. We are happy to announce the release of our new Trademarks system! This system will allow you to submit new applications for Trademarks online rather than paper and will expedite the processing of your application.
+ Our New Chat-bot
To better serve our customers, SOS has released a new Chatbot feature, which can be seen in the bottom right-hand corner of this page and throughout the SOS website. Our Chatbot can assist you with many questions, from “how can I form an LLC?” to “how can I register to vote?” Give it a try!
Recent Changes to our Processes
+ SOS Client Accounts are Changing
Important Update - SOS Client Accounts are changing!
During our transition to the modernized system, all clients will need to create a new customer account in our new SOS Portal system. The new system will require you to pay for services as you go, and we will no longer allow fund balances to be maintained at SOS. However, during this transition period, clients may still use fund balances to pay for services through SOSDirect or SOSUpload.
Please note that existing client account funds will not transfer to the new system.
Once the new system is operational, clients will have multiple payment options including Automated Clearing House (ACH) to link to a bank account and the continued use of credit cards. To create an account in the new system, visit our SOS Portal Login page.
For SOS client account holders that intend to use remaining fund balances for Uniform Commercial Code or Notary services and have a credit balance on their account please use the funds in your client account by August 1, 2024. Alternatively, you may request a refund for the account balance by sending an email to accounting@sos.texas.gov and include the name of the entity/individual associated with your account. Please note that the SOS can only issue refunds upon request from the account holder.
For SOS client account holders with a debit balance on their account, please pay the amount due within 30 days using one of the payment methods provided below. Failure to promptly pay the amount due may result in debt collection proceedings. Please remit payment using one of the following options:
- Contact our office at (512) 463-5601 to submit a payment by Credit Card over the phone. Please note that a 2.7% convenience fee will apply.
- Mail your Check or Money Order along with a copy of this email to:
Secretary of State of Texas
Accounts Receivable
P.O. Box 12887
Austin, TX 78711-2887
** Please include your Client ID on your check or money order so that we may connect your payment to your client account.
+ Credit Cards No Longer Accepted on Paper or Fax Filings, effective June 15, 2023
SOS will no longer accept credit card payments in association with paper filings (mailed or hand-delivered) or filings received via facsimile. We will continue to accept credit card payments for filings submitted through SOSDirect, SOSUpload and our new applications as they are deployed as part of our modernization. If a paper or fax filing is submitted after June 14, 2023, and credit card information is included, the filing will be automatically rejected. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Credit Cards FAQs
Why is this happening?
Agency policy requires this change.
How can I use a credit card to pay my filing fees?
* Business Filings only - If your document can be filed using SOS Direct or SOSUpload, you can still use your credit card to pay, if you file your document using either application; OR
*Create and fund a client account using your credit card. Client accounts can still be used to pay for documents submitted by mail, fax or hand delivery. You can check the box at the bottom of the payment form, and write the client account name and client account number on the form. See instructions on how to create and fund a client account below.
Can I send a check with the payment form instead of writing my credit card information on the payment form?
Yes, you can send a check with your document. You can check the box at the bottom of the payment form and write the check number on the form. Please make your check payable to Secretary of State.
I submitted a document last month with credit card information, will it get rejected?
No, this change only applies to documents received in our Office after June 14, 2023.
I mailed my payment form with written credit card information to your office before June 14, 2023, what will happen to my document?
If your document is received AFTER June 14, 2023 and there is written Credit Card information on the payment form, it will be rejected and returned to your attention. If your document is received prior to June 15, 2023, the Office will process your document.
If my document is rejected because of this policy, will I still get a filing date that is the same as the date my document was originally received by your Office?
No, your filing date will be the date that the document is received by the Office and conforms to statutory requirements, which include providing an acceptable form of payment.
+ How to create your SOS Client Account
- Click on the following link: Create your SOS Client Account
- Enter your information, screen by screen, until you receive a message that you have successfully submitted a request for a SOSDirect account.
- If your email has a strict spam filter, please add the following email addresses to your contact or safe senders list: sosdirect@sos.texas.gov & response@sos.texas.gov
- The email with your SOSDirect USER ID will be sent to you within an hour.
+ How to fund your SOS Client Account
- Click on the following link:Fund your SOS Client Account
- Enter your SOSDirect USER ID (see step #4 under the + How to create your SOS Client Account link) and PASSWORD information and click submit.
- Go to the PAYMENT INFORMATION section and select the Client Account option from the PAYMENT METHOD drop down box.
- Click on the Continue button above the PAYMENT INFORMATION section.
- Next, the webpage will show you as logged into SOSDirect. Your session code will appear in bold text.
- Click on Account from the navigation bar located at the top of this page.
- Click on Submit Payment to Client Account.
- Next, the webpage will show your Current Balance within the ENTER PAYMENT AMOUNT section. You will need to add sufficient funds to pay for your service request.
- Type the amount of funds you require into the Enter Payment Amount field.
- The webpage will autofill the billing information from your SOSDirect account. If this information does not match the credit card billing information, you will need to change it.
- Once you have completed the form click Submit Payment.
- You will receive a confirmation page that shows your payment and the amount that has been received. The funds will be available for use in one hour.
- The payment will not process until you log out of your account. You can verify your payment in one hour, if you log into your account again by following Steps 1 to 8 above.
Modernization Timeline
