Filing fees and fees for public records services may be paid by the following methods.

1. (1) Cash. The filing officer discourages cash payment unless made in person to the cashier at the filing office.
2. (2) Checks. Checks made payable or endorsed to the filing office, including checks in an amount to be filled in by a filing officer but not to exceed a particular amount, will be accepted for payment if they are cashier's checks or certified checks drawn on a bank acceptable to the filing office or if the drawer is acceptable to the filing office. All checks must be drawn on an U.S. bank.
3. (3) Electronic funds transfer. The filing office will accept payment via electronic funds transfer under National Automated Clearing House Association ("NACHA") rules from remitters who have entered into appropriate NACHA-approved arrangements for such transfers and who authorize the relevant transfer pursuant to such arrangements and rules.
4. (4) Client account. A remitter may open an account for prepayment of filing fees by submitting an application furnished by the filing officer. The filing officer shall issue an account number to be used by a remitter who chooses to pay filing fees in advance. The filing officer shall deduct filing fees from the remitter's client account when authorized to do so by the remitter. The remitter may authorize transactions against the client account by use of the remitter's SOSDirect account, by written authorization, facsimile, and by telephone authorization.
5. (5) Credit card. The filing office accepts payments using credit cards issued by approved credit card issuers. Approved credit card issuers are: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA or other valid and current credit/debit card designated by the contract(s) then existing between the Office of the Secretary of State, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and the relevant financial institution. Remitters shall provide the filing officer with the card number, the expiration date of the card, the name of the approved card issuer, the name of the person or entity to whom the card was issued, and the billing address for the card. Payment will not be deemed tendered until the issuer or its agent has confirmed to the filing office that payment will be forthcoming. Fees paid by credit card are subject to a statutorily authorized convenience fee of the total fees incurred, when applicable. The convenience fee is assessed per credit card transaction.
6. (6) LegalEase. The filing office accepts payment via LegalEase from remitters who have entered into appropriate LegalEase arrangements for such transfers and who authorize the relevant transfer pursuant to such arrangements.

Source Note:The provisions of this §96.6 adopted to be effective December 17, 2007, 32 TexReg 9323; amended to be effective October 20, 2011, 36 TexReg 6940.