Texas Codes

Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 9.051 (2026)

Transacting Business Or Maintaining Court Proceeding Without Registration

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 9.051. TRANSACTING BUSINESS OR MAINTAINING COURT PROCEEDING WITHOUT REGISTRATION. (a) On application by the attorney general, a court may enjoin a foreign filing entity or the entity's agent from transacting business in this state if:

(1) the entity is not registered in this state; or

(2) the entity's registration is obtained on the basis of a false or misleading representation.

(b) A foreign filing entity or the entity's legal representative may not maintain an action, suit, or proceeding in a court of this state, brought either directly by the entity or in the form of a derivative action in the entity's name, on a cause of action that arises out of the transaction of business in this state unless the foreign filing entity is registered in accordance with this chapter. This subsection does not affect the rights of an assignee of the foreign filing entity as:

(1) the holder in due course of a negotiable instrument; or

(2) the bona fide purchaser for value of a warehouse receipt, security, or other instrument made negotiable by law.

(c) The failure of a foreign filing entity to register does not:

(1) affect the validity of any contract or act of the foreign filing entity;

(2) prevent the entity from defending an action, suit, or proceeding in a court in this state; or

(3) except as provided by Subsection (d), cause any owner, member, or managerial official of the foreign filing entity to become liable for the debts, obligations, or liabilities of the foreign filing entity.

(d) Subsection (c)(3) does not apply to a general partner of a foreign limited partnership.

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2010–2025 · leading case: Duradril, L.L.C. v. Dynomax Drilling Tools, Inc., 516 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App. 2017).
Duradril, L.L.C. v. Dynomax Drilling Tools, Inc., 516 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App. 2017). “See Tex. Bus. Org. Code Ann. § 9.051 (b) (West 2012) (“A foreign filing entity or the entity’s legal representative may not maintain an action, suit, or proceeding in a court of this state, brought either directly by the entity or in the form of a derivative action in the…”
In Re Immobiliere Jeuness Establissement, 422 S.W.3d 909 (Tex. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Bus. Orgs.Code Ann. § 9.051(b) (West 2012).”
Anglo-Dutch Petroleum Int'l, Inc. v. Case Funding Network, LP, 441 S.W.3d 612 (Tex. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “Tex. Bus. Orgs.Code Ann. § 9.051(b) (Vernon 2012).”
Pyke v. Funnel Sci. Internet Mktg., LLC (In re Funnel Sci. Internet Mktg., LLC), 551 B.R. 262 (E.D. Tex. 2016). · cites it 2× “Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 9.051. Appellants contend that failure to comply with § 9.”
Hunt v. City of Diboll, 574 S.W.3d 406 (Tex. App. 2017). “See TEX. BUS. ORG. CODE ANN. § 9.051(West 2012).”
Harmon v. Lighthouse Capital Funding, Inc. (In Re Harmon), 444 B.R. 696 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 2011). · cites it 3× “may not maintain an action, suit, or proceeding in a court of this state ... on a cause of action that arises out of the transaction of business in this state unless the foreign filing entity is registered in accordance with this chapter.”
All. Transp. & Logistics LLC v. G & J Truck Sales Inc (N.D. Tex. 2021). · cites it 2× “The issue presented is whether Plaintiff is barred from bringing its action by Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann. § 9.051 . For the reasons that follow, the Court DENIES G&J’s motion.”
Charisse Sneddeker, Sherry Pipes, & CSF Nutrition, LLC v. Vita 10 IV Therapy, LLC (Tex. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code Ann. § 9.051 (b). However, Appellants contend that Appellee waived this defense by not asserting it in a verified plea in abatement.”
in Re: A Purported Lien or Claim Against Helvetia Asset Recovery, Inc. (Tex. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “11 Tex. Bus. Org. Code Ann. § 9.051 (2)(b ) .”
Toni Combest & Mountain Laurel Minerals, LLC v. Mustang Minerals, LLC (Tex. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “001 13 Tex. Bus. Org. Code §9.051 14 Tex. Bus. Org.”
Melissa Ford Bierwirth v. Ah4r I Tx, Llc (Tex. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE ANN. § 9.051(b); see also Bierwirth v.”
— Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 9.051(b) — 10 cases
In Re Immobiliere Jeuness Establissement, 422 S.W.3d 909 (Tex. App. 2014). “See Tex. Bus. Orgs.Code Ann. § 9.051(b) (West 2012).”
Anglo-Dutch Petroleum Int'l, Inc. v. Case Funding Network, LP, 441 S.W.3d 612 (Tex. App. 2014). “Tex. Bus. Orgs.Code Ann. § 9.051(b) (Vernon 2012).”
Harmon v. Lighthouse Capital Funding, Inc. (In Re Harmon), 444 B.R. 696 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 2011). “may not maintain an action, suit, or proceeding in a court of this state ... on a cause of action that arises out of the transaction of business in this state unless the foreign filing entity is registered in accordance with this chapter.”
Melissa Ford Bierwirth v. Ah4r I Tx, Llc (Tex. App. 2014). “TEX. BUS. ORGS. CODE ANN. § 9.051(b); see also Bierwirth v.”
— Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 9.051(c) — 1 case
Schneider v. Haley (N.D. Tex. 2025).
— Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 9.051(c)(2) — 2 cases
Pyke v. Funnel Sci. Internet Mktg., LLC (In re Funnel Sci. Internet Mktg., LLC), 551 B.R. 262 (E.D. Tex. 2016). “Tex. Bus. Org. Code § 9.051. Appellants contend that failure to comply with § 9.”
Toni Combest & Mountain Laurel Minerals, LLC v. Mustang Minerals, LLC (Tex. App. 2015). “001 13 Tex. Bus. Org. Code §9.051 14 Tex. Bus. Org.”
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