Legal Templates

Texas LLC Operating Agreement

Use our Texas LLC operating agreement template to help you form an LLC in Texas.

Published April 21, 2022

Home to three million small businesses, Texas has frequently been named the best state to start a business thanks to its great business ecosystem. [1] If you’re looking to form an LLC then Texas makes a favorable option.

When forming an LLC it’s highly advisable to create an LLC operating agreement to outline the rights and obligations of company members. It also defines how decisions will be made and who has the authority to make them.

Read on to learn the steps to form an LLC in Texas and download a Texas LLC operating agreement.

Table of Contents

Is an LLC Operating Agreement Required in Texas?

An LLC operating agreement is not required in Texas. However, most business heads prefer to have one because it does establish order within an entity. It also makes provisions for changes in structure when an acquisition, merger, or buyout may occur.

An LLC operating agreement establishes roles each member plays and defines profit and loss distribution. Additionally, this agreement determines who controls assets held by a member who has withdrawn or passed away.

The percentage of company ownership that each member has is also included in an operating agreement. In addition, it contains sellout or buyout rules that apply when company members leave or die.

Why Should I Have A Texas LLC Operating Agreement?

An LLC operating agreement isn’t required by the state of Texas, however, there are more than a few benefits to having one anyway, including:

  • Avoid member conflict – A Texas LLC operating agreement will clearly set out the expectations and requirements of each LLC member. Having documented roles and responsibilities can avoid any misunderstanding and confusion which could lead to conflict or disputes.
  • Protect limited liability status – An LLC operating agreement shows that the LLC is a separate legal entity. Without a Texas operating agreement, a Texan company could be mistakenly seen as a sole proprietorship or partnership when it comes to tax and lawful purposes.
  • Have More Say in How Your LLC Operates -Regardless of whether you have a Texas operating agreement or not, your company will have to abide by the Texas Business Organizations Code, Title 3, Chapter 101. However, if you have an operating agreement then you will have more say in how your LLC functions.

Texas Operating Agreement Laws

Texas has what they call the Business Organization Code. It outlines all the major procedures for how to start an LLC in Texas. For instance, it says in this law that a single-person entity is ‘not unenforceable.’

Like most states, the contract doesn’t have to be written, but it does seem easier to enforce than an ‘oral’ (verbal) one. Ensure you thoroughly read the Business Organization Code when creating your LLC operating agreement.

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

To form an LLC in Texas you will need to pay a domestic filing fee of $300. The foreign filing fee is $750.

How to Form an LLC in Texas?

To form an LLC in Texas, follow the below steps:

Step 1 – Look For an Unused Company Name

For this, you’ll have to perform some research to find out if another company is using the name you picked. Before choosing this name, search in corporation name databases and refer to Texas Secretary of State documentation concerning the availability of desired business names.

Step 2 – Verify Name Meets Requirements

Before you finalize your chosen business name, make sure it meets Texas requirements:

  • Add ‘LLC’ to your name. Your business name should include ‘limited liability corporation’, LLC, or L.L.C.
  • Choose words carefully. No matter what state you register your business in, choose the words that make up the name carefully. When in doubt, do not use any gambling terms in it, such as ‘lotto’, and do not use any government agency terms in it.
  • Follow professional naming guidelines. Special rules may apply if setting up an LLC to operate a bank, hospital, university, or other sensitive or public institution.
  • Do not use an existing name. You will not have to worry about this if you have searched for available names before starting your business.

Even a quick Google search helps to give you initial ideas of what is and what is not used. However, you should perform the official name database search before you register it. Refer to naming issues documentation for more information.

Step 3 – Register Your Chosen Name

It will cost you $40 to register your chosen Texas LLC name. The state offers a complete fee schedule along with its documentation of how to register an LLC in Texas.

Step 4 – Register Your Business.

This involves a separate process than just registering your business name. At this stage, you will begin the process of LLC operation agreement set up. The rules appear on the Texas state website within the same place where the fee schedule documentation is.

Step 5 – Designate a Legal Business Address

To set up a legal business address, make sure you have a street number and location that anyone can find on a map. For this, you must not use a P.O. Box, and you must either represent yourself as a registered agent or choose one to make it a legal business address.

What counts as a legal business address?


Any address that you or someone in business with you would normally use for legal correspondence counts. You must prove that your physical address pertains to your daily LLC operations.

What if I don’t have a physical business?


You can use your home address. However, you may not want to for safety reasons. This will require you to set up someone else to become your registered agent. They must have normal business operation hours during the day, such as 9-5. Additional rules apply regarding registered agents as established by the state.

Step 6 – File Your LLC Operating Agreement

Your Texas LLC operating agreement application requires having this information:

  • Names of your LLC members
  • Your official name and primary place of business
  • A physical business address (no P.O. Box)
  • Effective LLC formation date
  • Your employer identification number (EIN)
  • Indication of your primary industry
  • Organizer signature

The Texas Secretary of State website offers information about how to form an LLC in Texas. You may have the chance to file online, by fax, or in person.

Texas LLC Operating Agreement Template

Create your LLC operating agreement using the template below or use our document builder to speed up and streamline the process:

LLC Operating Agreement Template

Updating and Amending Your Texas LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not a document that you simply create and then forget about. It can be updated as your LLC grows and changes to match the new requirements and needs of the business.

If you need to update or amend your Texas operating agreement, then you can use an Amendment to an LLC Operating Agreement.

You’ll need to ensure any changes you want to make to your operating agreement are in line with the rules set out in the original agreement.

Typically, you’ll want to call a meeting with all LLC members to sign off the amendments together, and if the operating agreement says so, you may have to vote to approve the changes.

Once the updates have been signed off, you can add the amendment document to the operating agreement and keep them together as internal documents. There’s no need to file the amendment with the state of Texas unless you are making changes to any information already filed with the state such as your LLC’s name or adding or removing members.

Texas LLC Operating Agreement FAQs

Where do I get an LLC Operating Agreement in Texas?


You can download a Texas LLC operating agreement template from Legal Templates. The template can be downloaded in PDF and Word format, or you can make use of our document builder which makes the process of writing your operating agreement significantly easier. 

Do I have to send my Texas LLC Operating Agreement to the state?


No, you don’t have to send your Texas LLC operating agreement to the Texas Secretary of State. An LLC operating agreement is an internal document you should keep among your business records.

Do I need to get my Texas LLC Operating Agreement notarized?


No, your Texas LLC Operating Agreement does not need to be notarized. The agreement becomes a legal document once all members sign it. 

Texas LLC Operating Ageement Relevant Forms and Resources

Forms:

Links:

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  1. 2021 Texas Small Business Economic Profile. (2021). https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/30143722/Small-Business-Economic-Profile-TX.pdf