Texas Secretary Of State: 5 Amazing Services Explained

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What is the Texas Secretary of State?

Let’s start with the basics. The Texas Secretary of State, often called the Texas SOS, is one of the most important offices in the state. But here’s the surprise: unlike the Governor or other top officials, this person is not elected by voters. Instead, the Governor appoints them, and the Texas Senate must agree.

Right now, the Texas Secretary of State is Jane Nelson, who started the job in 2023.

Think of the Secretary of State as a mix of a referee, a record keeper, and a helpful guide. They don’t make laws, but they make sure rules are followed. They’re like the official who checks the scoreboard and ensures the game runs fairly. texas secretary of state: What It Means and Why It Matters

History of the Office

Way back when Texas was its own country in 1836, a guy named Stephen F. Austin was the first Secretary of State. He was called the Father of Texas and helped set things up under President Sam Houston. Imagine being the first to organize a new place that’s exciting but hard work.

Then, in 1845, Texas joined the United States, and the job kept going. Now, there have been 115 secretaries, all helping run the state smoothly. The role changed a bit over time, like adding more help for businesses and votes.

It’s fun to know the office is in historic spots, like the Rudder Building, which is on a special list of important places. This history shows how Texas grew from a wild frontier to a big state.

Current Leadership: Jane Nelson

Right now, Jane Nelson is the Texas Secretary of State. She got the job in January 2023 from Governor Greg Abbott, and the Senate said yes. Before that, she was in the state Senate, working on money and health stuff for years.

Jane focuses on making sure elections are fair and safe. She wants everyone to follow the same rules when voting. Plus, she helps businesses grow, which is great for jobs in Texas.

Under her watch, the office is teaming up more with other states. For example, she just signed deals with nine states to share voter info and catch any doubles. That’s smart to stop any funny business.

Election Responsibilities

Voting is a big deal, right? The Texas Secretary of State is the top boss for elections. They look after the rules in the Texas Election Code, help with signing up to vote, and count how many people show up.

If you’re worried about where to vote or if you’re signed up, they’ve got tips. Go to VoteTexas.gov to check your status quickly just put in your name and birthday. It’s easy and fixes the pain of showing up and finding out you’re not on the list.

Take the recent deal: In September 2025, Texas agreed with nine states like Florida to share voter lists. This helps spot folks registered in two places, keeping votes honest. Compared to doing it alone, sharing info is like teaming up with friends to solve a puzzle faster.

Tip 1: Sign up to vote early to avoid the last-minute rush.
Tip 2: If you move, update your address online so your vote counts.
Tip 3: Check for early voting spots—they’re less crowded and quicker.

Imagine you’re excited to vote for the first time, but your name’s not there. Ouch! But with these tools, you can fix it ahead and feel good.

Business Services Overview

Starting a business? The Texas Secretary of State is your go-to for filing papers. They handle setting up companies, bringing back ones that got paused, and special money papers called UCC.

Use SOSDirect, it’s an online spot open all day and night. You pay a small fee, like $1 for a search, and get things done fast. That’s better than waiting in line or mailing stuff.

Compared to the Comptroller’s office, which deals with taxes, the Secretary focuses on the start-up part. For example, if you want to check if a business name is free, search here first. Stats show the office has 500 to 1,000 helpers , making Texas a top spot for new shops.

Picture opening your dream taco stand. You file online, get approved quickly, and boom, you’re official. But if you forget to update, it might get paused. Tip: Set a reminder each year to file reports.

Step 1: Pick a name and check if it’s taken on their site.
Step 2: Fill out forms like those for an LLC, and pay about $300.
Step 3: Use SOSDirect for speed, no need to drive to Austin.

This helps fix the headache of paperwork, making it simple for busy folks.

What Does the Texas Secretary of State Do?

This is the big question! The office wears a few different hats. Imagine a person who is a librarian, a sports referee, and a business coach all at once. That’s kind of what this office is like for Texas!

The Chief of Elections

One of the most important jobs is being the state’s chief elections officer. This means the office helps make sure our elections are fair and run well.

They provide the rules and tools that all our local counties use to run elections.
They keep the official list of all registered voters in Texas.
When an election is over, they are the ones who officially certify, or confirm, the final results.

The Boss of Business Filings

Want to start a lemonade stand? Well, if it’s a big lemonade stand company, you’ll probably talk to this office! They are the central filing office for all businesses in Texas.

If you want to start an LLC, a corporation, or any other formal business, you file your paperwork with them.
They keep all the records for every business in the state. This is called the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC).
They also handle things like trademarks and “Doing Business As” (DBA) names.

The Keeper of Important Records

The Secretary of State is also like the head librarian for Texas’s most important books.

They are the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Texas. This official seal is stamped on important government papers.
They protect and look after the State Archives. These are old, historical documents that tell the story of Texas’s past.

How to Use the Texas SOS Website

The best part is, you don’t have to go to an office in Austin to get things done. Almost everything can be done online! The website might look busy at first, but it’s actually easy to use.

How to Look Up a Business in Texas

Imagine you want to start a company called “Texas Best Tacos.” You need to make sure nobody else is using that name! Here’s how you check, step-by-step:

Go to the Texas SOS website (sos.texas.gov).
Find the section that says “Business Services.”
Click on “Search Business Entities.”
Type “Texas Best Tacos” into the search bar.
If no results come up, you’re probably good to go!

This search is also great for checking on a company you want to work with to make sure they are real and in good standing.

Starting Your Own Business in Texas

So, “Texas Best Tacos” is available! How do you make it official? The easiest way to start is by forming an LLC.

You will need to file a form called a “Certificate of Formation.”
You can do this online through a system called SOSDirect.
The website will guide you through the process and tell you the filing fee.
Remember, you’ll also need to have a registered agent in Texas (a person or company with a Texas address who can get official mail for you).

Everything for Voters

The Secretary of State’s office wants to make voting easy. They run a website called VoteTexas.gov. This is your one-stop shop for:

Checking if you are registered to vote.
Finding your polling place on election day.
Learning what kind of ID you need to bring with you to vote.

Solving Common Problems

Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. Here’s how to handle common hiccups.

My Business Filing Got Rejected

This can be frustrating! The most common reasons are:

The business name you wanted is already taken.
You forgot to sign a form.
You sent the wrong amount of money for the filing fee.
The best way to avoid this is to double-check everything before you send it. Use the business search tool to check the name first!

Finding the Right Information

A very important tip: always use the real Texas SOS website (sos.texas.gov). Some other websites look official but are not from the government. They might charge you extra money to do things you can do yourself for less on the official site. Stick with the real deal to be safe.

How to Get in Touch

Need to talk to a real person? You can find the main phone number and address on the “Contact Us” page of the SOS website. They have different phone numbers for different questions, like elections or business filings. If you need a copy of a document, you might need to submit a “Public Information Request.”