The Texas 811 form, also known as the Certificate of Reinstatement, is a document used to restore the existence of a business entity that has been voluntarily or involuntarily terminated. This form serves as a formal request to the Secretary of State to reinstate a domestic or foreign filing entity whose registration has been revoked. Understanding the requirements and process for completing this form is crucial for ensuring that your business can continue its operations smoothly.
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When filling out the Texas 811 form, there are important dos and don'ts to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process.
Form 811—General Information (Certificate of Reinstatement)
The attached form is designed to meet minimal statutory filing requirements pursuant to the relevant code provisions. This form and the information provided are not substitutes for the advice and services of an attorney and tax specialist.
Commentary
This form may be used to reinstate: (1) the existence of a domestic filing entity that has been voluntarily terminated; (2) the existence of a domestic filing entity that has been involuntarily terminated by action of the secretary of state; or (3) the registration of a foreign filing entity whose registration has been revoked by action of the secretary of state.
Do Not Use This Form If:
ｸThe entity’s existence or registration was forfeited under the Tax Code. See Form 801.
ｸThe entity is a professional association that was terminated or revoked for failure to timely file an annual statement. See Form 814.
ｸThe entity was terminated or revoked by court order.
ﾝTime Frames for Reinstatement ﾝ
ﾾVoluntarily Terminated Domestic Entity: Certificate of reinstatement must be filed no later than the third (3rd) anniversary of the effective date of the termination. (See part 4A of the form.)
ﾾInvoluntarily Terminated Domestic Entity: Certificate of reinstatement may be filed at any time so long as the entity would otherwise have continued to exist. However, the entity is considered to have
continued in existence without interruption from the date of termination only if the entity is reinstated before the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of involuntary termination. (See 4B.)
ﾾRevoked Foreign Entity Registration: Certificate of reinstatement must be filed no later than the third (3rd) anniversary of the effective date of the revocation. (See 4C.)
Instructions for Form
ｸItem 1—Entity Name and File Number: Set forth the legal name of the entity and the secretary of state file number. For a foreign filing entity that was registered to transact business in Texas under a different name, also set forth the assumed name under which the entity was registered.
ｸItem 2—Jurisdictional Information: To ensure that the correct entity is reinstated, the jurisdiction of organization and the entity’s date of organization or registration in Texas should be provided.
ｸItem 3—Date of Termination or Revocation: Provide the effective date of the termination or revocation. In the case of a terminated domestic entity that has delayed the effectiveness of the filing of its certificate of termination, provide the effective date as stated on the certificate.
ｸItem 4—Conditions for Reinstatement: Select the grounds or conditions for reinstatement. Do not check more than one box. If unsure, verify the reason for inactive status by contacting the secretary of state at (512) 463-5555, 7-1-1 for relay services, corpinfo@sos.state.tx.us or on-line through SOSDirect. (Visit http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml for SOSDirect information.)
4A. Reinstatement of a Texas Entity Following Voluntary Termination: Sections 11.201 and 11.202 of the BOC permit reinstatement no later than the third anniversary of the effective date of termination if the owners, members, governing persons, or other persons specified by the BOC approve the reinstatement in the manner provided by the title of the BOC governing the entity and:
Form 811
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(1)the termination was by mistake or was inadvertent;
(2)the termination occurred without the approval of the entity’s governing persons when approval is required by the title of the BOC governing the entity;
(3)the process of winding up before termination had not been completed by the entity; or
(4)the legal existence of the entity is necessary to convey or assign property, to settle or release a claim or liability, to take an action, or to sign an instrument or agreement.
4B. Reinstatement of a Texas Entity Following Involuntary Termination: Section 11.251 of the BOC authorizes the secretary of state to involuntarily terminate a domestic filing entity, other than a domestic real estate investment trust, if the secretary finds that the entity has failed to:
(1)file a report within the period required by law or to pay a fee or penalty prescribed by law when due and payable;
(2)maintain a registered agent or registered office in Texas as required by law; or
(3)pay a fee required in connection with a filing, or payment of the fee was dishonored when presented by the state for payment.
As a condition to reinstatement, the entity must correct the circumstances that led to termination and any other circumstances of the type described above, including paying any fees, interest or penalties.
4C. Reinstatement of a Foreign Entity Following Revocation: Section 9.101 of the BOC authorizes the secretary of state to revoke the registration of a foreign filing entity if the secretary finds that the entity has failed to:
(2)maintain a registered agent or registered office in Texas as required by law;
(3)amend its registration when required by law; or
(4)pay a fee required in connection with a filing, or payment of the fee was dishonored when presented by the state for payment.
As a condition to reinstatement, the entity must correct the circumstances that led to revocation and any other circumstances of the type described above, including paying any fees, interest or penalties.
ｸItem 5—Registered Agent and Registered Office: An entity requesting reinstatement must provide the secretary of state with current registered agent and registered office information. The registered agent can be either (option A) a domestic entity or a foreign entity that is registered to do business in Texas or (option B) an individual resident of the state. The entity cannot act as its own registered agent; do not enter the entity name as the name of the registered agent.
An entity that was involuntarily terminated or that had its registration revoked for failure to maintain a registered agent or registered office in Texas need not submit an additional filing to change the registered agent or registered office.
Consent: A person designated as the registered agent of an entity must have consented, either in a written or electronic form, to serve as the registered agent of the entity. Although consent is required, a copy of the person’s written or electronic consent need not be submitted with the reinstatement. The liabilities and penalties imposed by sections 4.007 and 4.008 of the BOC apply with respect to a false statement in a filing instrument that names a person as the registered agent of an entity without that person’s consent. (BOC § 5.207)
Office Address Requirements: The registered office address must be located at a street address where service of process may be personally served on the entity’s registered agent during normal
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business hours. Although the registered office is not required to be the entity’s principal place of business, the registered office may not be solely a mailbox service or telephone answering service (BOC § 5.201).
ｸEntity Name Availability: The reinstatement cannot be filed if the entity name is the same as, deceptively similar to, or similar to the name of any existing domestic or foreign filing entity, or any name reservation or registration filed with the secretary of state. The administrative rules for determining entity name availability (Texas Administrative Code, title 1, part 4, chapter 79, subchapter C) may be viewed at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/index.shtml.
If the entity name is no longer available or written consent for the use of the name is required but cannot be obtained, the entity must amend its certificate of formation or application for registration, as appropriate, to state an available name. The amendment must be submitted at the same time as the certificate of reinstatement.
ｸTax Clearance: Unless the entity is a nonprofit corporation, a certificate of reinstatement must be accompanied by a tax clearance letter from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts stating that the entity has satisfied all franchise tax liabilities and may be reinstated.
Contact the Comptroller for assistance in complying with franchise tax filing requirements and obtaining the necessary tax clearance letter. The Comptroller may be contacted by e-mail at tax.help@cpa.state.tx.us or by calling (800) 252-1381 or (512) 463-4600.
ｸExecution: The reinstatement must be signed by a person authorized to act on behalf of the entity in regard to the filing instrument. Generally, a governing person or managerial official of the entity signs a filing instrument.
The certificate of reinstatement need not be notarized. However, before signing, please read the statements on this form carefully. The designation or appointment of a person as the registered agent by a managerial official is an affirmation by that official that the person named in the instrument has consented to serve as registered agent. (BOC § 5.2011)
A person commits an offense under section 4.008 of the BOC if the person signs or directs the filing of a filing instrument the person knows is materially false with the intent that the instrument be delivered to the secretary of state for filing. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor unless the person’s intent is to harm or defraud another, in which case the offense is a state jail felony.
ｸPayment and Delivery Instructions: Unless the entity is a nonprofit corporation or cooperative association, the filing fee for reinstatement following an involuntary termination or revocation is $75, and the filing fee for reinstatement following a voluntary termination is $15. The filing fee for reinstating a nonprofit corporation or a cooperative association is $5.
Fees may be paid by personal checks, money orders, LegalEase debit cards, or American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. Checks or money orders must be payable through a U.S. bank or financial institution and made payable to the secretary of state. Fees paid by credit card are subject to a statutorily authorized convenience fee of 2.7 percent of the total fees. Applicable fees for any additional filings required as a condition for reinstatement must be submitted together with the appropriate filing fee for the certificate of reinstatement.
Submit the completed form in duplicate along with the filing fee. The form may be mailed to P.O. Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711-3697; faxed to (512) 463-5709; or delivered to the James Earl Rudder Office Building, 1019 Brazos, Austin, Texas 78701. If a document is transmitted by fax, credit card information must accompany the transmission (Form 807). On filing the document, the secretary of state will return the appropriate evidence of filing to the submitter together with a file- stamped copy of the document, if a duplicate copy was provided as instructed.
Revised 05/11
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Form 811 (Revised 05/11)
Submit in duplicate to: Secretary of State P.O. Box 13697 Austin, TX 78711-3697
512463-5555 FAX: 512 463-5709
Filing Fee: See instructions
This space reserved for office use.
Certificate of
Reinstatement
1. The name of the entity is:
The entity is a foreign entity that was required to obtain its registration under a name that differs from the legal name stated above. The name under which the entity is registered is:
The file number issued to the filing entity by the secretary of state is:
2. The jurisdiction of organization of the entity is:
(state or country)
The entity was organized or obtained its certificate of registration on:
mm/dd/yyyy
3. The effective date of the entity’s termination or revocation is:
4.The condition giving rise to the termination of the entity’s existence or the revocation of its registration is described below. The entity requests reinstatement under the following code provision:
(Select the appropriate box below. Do not check more than one box.)
4A. Reinstatement of a Texas Entity Following a Voluntary Termination (3 year limit)
The domestic filing entity requests reinstatement under section 11.202 of the BOC following the filing of a certificate of termination. The undersigned certifies that the conditions for reinstatement of the entity’s certificate of formation are met and that the reinstatement of the filing entity has been approved in the manner provided by the Texas Business Organizations Code.
4B. Reinstatement of a Texas Entity Following an Involuntary Termination
The domestic filing entity requests reinstatement of its certificate of formation after the involuntary termination of its existence by the secretary of state pursuant to subchapter F of chapter 11 of the Code. The entity has corrected the circumstances giving rise to its involuntary termination and has taken any other action required for its reinstatement, including the payment of any fees, interest, or penalties. The undersigned certifies that the reinstatement of the filing entity has been approved in the manner required by the Texas Business Organizations Code.
4C. Reinstatement Following Revocation of Registration of a Foreign Entity (3 year limit)
The foreign filing entity requests the reinstatement of its certificate of registration after its revocation by the secretary of state pursuant to subchapter C of chapter 9 of the BOC. The entity has corrected the circumstances giving rise to its revocation and has taken any other action required for its reinstatement, including the payment of any fees, interest, or penalties.
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5.The name of the entity’s registered agent and the address of the entity’s registered office are as
follows: (Select and complete either A or B and complete C)
A. The registered agent is an organization (cannot be the entity seeking reinstatement) by the name of:
OR
B. The registered agent is an individual resident of the state whose name is set forth below:
First Name
M.I.
Last Name
Suffix
C. The business address of the registered agent and the registered office address is:
TX
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
The street address of the registered office as stated in this instrument is the same as the registered agent’s business address.
Additional Documentation or Filings
Comptroller of Public Accounts Tax Clearance Letter (Required, unless entity is a nonprofit corporation.)
Amendment to Certificate of Formation or Registration (Required if entity name is no longer available.) Other
(A certificate of reinstatement may be conditioned on the submission of additional filings. See instructions.)
Execution
The undersigned affirms that the person designated as registered agent has consented to the appointment. The undersigned signs this document subject to the penalties imposed by law for the submission of a materially false or fraudulent instrument and certifies under penalty of perjury that the undersigned is authorized under the provisions of law governing the entity to execute the filing instrument.
Date:
By:
Signature of authorized person (see instructions)
Printed or typed name of authorized person
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Stap Application 2023 - Date of signature is necessary for clarity regarding when the application was submitted.
Pwd 504 - Both owners are encouraged to keep a copy of the completed PWD 790 for their records.
When filing the Texas 811 form for reinstatement, several other documents may also be needed. Each of these forms serves a specific purpose and helps ensure compliance with Texas regulations. Below is a list of forms commonly used alongside the Texas 811 form.
Having the correct forms and documentation ready can make the reinstatement process smoother. Each document plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with Texas regulations. If you have questions about any of these forms, it's advisable to seek assistance to ensure all requirements are met.
Filling out the Texas 811 form can be a straightforward process, but many people make common mistakes that can lead to delays or complications. One major mistake is not providing the correct entity name and file number. It's essential to ensure that the legal name matches the one registered with the Secretary of State. If there are discrepancies, it can result in rejection of the application.
Another frequent error is failing to select the correct grounds for reinstatement. The form allows for only one box to be checked. If multiple boxes are marked, the application will be invalidated. This mistake often stems from a lack of understanding of the reasons for termination or revocation, so it's crucial to verify the status of the entity before proceeding.
People often overlook the importance of providing jurisdictional information. This includes the date of organization or registration in Texas. Without this information, the Secretary of State may not be able to process the reinstatement. Always double-check that this information is accurate and complete.
Another common pitfall is not including a tax clearance letter when required. Unless the entity is a nonprofit corporation, a tax clearance letter from the Texas Comptroller is necessary to confirm that all franchise tax liabilities are satisfied. Failing to include this letter can halt the reinstatement process.
Many applicants also neglect to provide current information about their registered agent and registered office. The registered agent must be either a domestic or foreign entity registered to do business in Texas, or an individual resident of the state. It’s important to ensure that the registered agent has consented to serve in this capacity, as failure to do so can lead to legal complications.
Additionally, individuals sometimes forget to sign the form or have the wrong person sign it. The reinstatement must be signed by someone authorized to act on behalf of the entity. If the signature is missing or not from an authorized individual, the application will be rejected.
Another mistake involves the entity name availability. If the name is the same as, or deceptively similar to, another existing entity, the reinstatement cannot be filed. It’s advisable to check name availability ahead of time to avoid unnecessary delays.
People often fail to include the correct filing fee or payment method. The fees vary depending on the type of entity and the circumstances of reinstatement. Ensure that the correct amount is included and that the payment method is acceptable to the Secretary of State.
Lastly, some applicants do not submit the form in duplicate. The Texas 811 form must be submitted in duplicate, along with the filing fee. Not providing two copies can lead to delays in processing, as the Secretary of State will not have a record to return to the applicant.
By being aware of these common mistakes, individuals can better navigate the reinstatement process and ensure that their Texas 811 form is completed accurately and efficiently.
Understanding the Texas 811 form can be challenging, and several misconceptions often lead to confusion. Here are six common misunderstandings about this form:
By clarifying these misconceptions, individuals and entities can better navigate the process of reinstating their status in Texas.
When filling out and using the Texas 811 form, consider the following key takeaways:
After completing the Texas 811 form, you will need to submit it to the Secretary of State along with the appropriate filing fee. Ensure all required information is accurate and complete to avoid delays in processing.