Tennessee Secretary of State – TN SOS Business Search

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s website is the official destination for those looking to establish a business in Tennessee or obtain information about existing businesses.

This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of searching Tennessee business entity records and registering your business within the state.

We’ll also address common questions people have when starting a business in Tennessee.

Tennessee Secretary of State Business Services Online
Address: Division of Business Services, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
Telephone: 1(615)741-2286
Website: www.tnbear.tn.gov
E-Mail: sos.tn.gov/contact

To access the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website, visit sos.tn.gov. The website contains lots of information about the governance of the state of Tennessee and, as well as business registrations, provides services such as voter registration.

The section of the website we are interested in is the business section, which can be found via the main menu and at https://sos.tn.gov/businesses.

We’re going to explain how to search for an existing business in Tennessee and how to register your own business in the state.

How to Find Business Entity Records for Businesses in Tennessee

To find information about any business registered in Tennessee, you need to go to the Business section of the Tennessee Secretary of State website.

From here, you can select ‘Search Businesses’, shown in one of the blue circles.

This will take you to the Business Information Search Form where you can search for a business by its full name, part of its name, or by its business control number.

You can also choose whether to search all businesses or only active businesses by ticking the ‘Active Business Only’ box.

In the example below, we’ve chosen to search for businesses that contain the word ‘clothing’ and narrow our search to active businesses only.

Hitting the search button produces a long list of businesses that match the search criteria. In our case, these are all active businesses with the word clothing in their business name.

The search results page shows the business control number, business (or ‘entity’) type, business name, status, and filing date.

To find out more about a specific business, we can click on the control number. For example, clicking on the top result – control number 000467825, the 2nd Amendment Clothing Company – brings up more details about that business.

On this detailed results page, we can see more information about the business, including its previous name, office address and registered agent.

How to Register a Business Entity in Tennessee

To register a new business in Tennessee, you need to go to https://sos.tn.gov/businesses and select ‘File New Businesses Online’, which is shown in a blue circle.

This will take you to Tennessee’s Business Entity Registration Page, which explains who can register a business using the service and the fees involved.

When you are ready to begin the process of registering your business, hit the ‘Start Here’ button. This will take you to the Business Entity Registration Form.

The first step is to select the type of business you wish to register. The options are:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• For-profit Corporation
• Non-profit Corporation
• Limited Liability Partnership
• Limited Partnership
• General Partnership

Once you have selected the right business entity type for you, you will need to tick the box acknowledging that your business information will be public, then click continue.

In the example below, we chose Limited Liability Company as our entity type. To register our LLC, we would need to complete all seven steps in the form below, including entering our business and personal details and making the necessary payment.

FAQs

What are the subtypes of business entity in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the classifications of business entities include limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC in Tennessee?

Both corporations and LLCs in Tennessee establish the business as a distinct legal entity from its owners. The primary differences lie in management flexibility and tax arrangements, with LLCs offering greater adaptability.

Does LLC have to be in the name of a business entity in Tennessee?

Yes, in Tennessee, all LLCs are required to incorporate either the abbreviation ‘LLC’ or the words ‘Limited Liability Company’ as part of their business name.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Tennessee?

The primary advantage of an LLC in Tennessee is its capacity to legally separate the business from the owner, thereby limiting the owner’s legal and financial liability. Additionally, registering an LLC is a more cost-effective and straightforward process compared to registering a corporation. Furthermore, LLCs provide increased flexibility in both management and tax options.

How much does it cost to register a business in Tennessee?

It will cost a minimum of $300 to register an LLC in Tennessee. The exact cost will vary depending on the type of business and your individual requirements.

What is the annual fee for an LLC in Tennessee?

LLCs in Tennessee are required to submit a $300 payment each year when filing their annual report. This report and payment is due on the first day of the fourth month following the end of the business’s financial year.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Tennessee?

The time to file an LLC in Tennessee can vary, but on average, it usually takes around five working days.