Thinking of opening a new business? Here are some simple steps to help aid you in getting your business going in no time:

1. Review the Assumed Name (D.B.A.) Certificate Requirements & Fees.

2. File an Unincorporated Assumed Name Certificate (D.B.A.) with the County Clerk in the county(s) in which the business is located and/or will conduct business.  To apply online click here. (Incorporated Assumed Name Certificates are no longer recorded at The County Clerk's Office.  They are now required to be recorded with The State of Texas.) 

3. Corporations and Incorporation documents are filed with the Texas Secretary of State in Austin at (512) 463-5555. Upon filing in Austin, the D.B.A. is then filed in the county(s).

4. Business in Texas offers steps on starting a business, growing a business as well as many other valuable resources.

5. To obtain a State Sales Tax ID #, contact the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts at (800) 252-8880, (800) 252-5555

6. IRS - Small Business and Self - Employed Tax Center, is full of helpful information and resources.

7. Federal Tax Identification Number also known as an Employer ID Number (EIN) can be obtained through the IRS, apply online.

8. Worker's Compensation Information--visit the web page for the Texas Department of Insurance.

9. Patents and Trademarks - visit the web page for The United States Patent and Trademark Office.

10. Licenses and Regulations - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

11. If the business is operated in home, review the deed restrictions and contact the homeowners association.

12. If the business is located in a city or its jurisdiction, contact the city for possible permit requirements. See the Brazoria County main page for a link to the City's web page.

13. Contact the County Environmental Health Department for a business involved in food preparation at: (979) 864-1600 - Angleton.

14. Appraisal District Guide to Personal Property Rendition.

Resources

The following is a partial list of local resources for starting a new business:

• Brazosport College Small Business Development Center
  (979) 230-3380

• U.S. Small Business Administration Section

• San Jacinto Community College Small Business Development Center
  6117 Broadway
  Pearland, TX 77584
  Phone: (281) 485-5214
  Fax: (281) 485-6978

• SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business
  8701 S. Gessner, Suite 1200
  Houston, TX 77074
  (713) 773-6549 or
  (713) 773-6565

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