Formation of Business Entities and Nonprofit Corporations Under the Texas Business Organizations Code: Online filing available through SOSDirect. Yes. Certificates of formation can be filed online through SOSDirect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.You'll also need to include the address, name, and signature of each shareholder, with the signature and title of a company officer. Under Texas law, for-profit Texas corporations need to list the name and address of at least one director on their Certificate of Formation. General Steps to Follow: Decide on the name of your business. You need to file a Certificate of Formation to incorporate your business in Texas. You file the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. Enter the legal name of the person applying for the permit. Do not enter a "doing business as" (DBA) name. The chairman of the board shall be chief executive officer of the corporation and shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and directors.