Tennessee Registered Agent
What is a Tennessee registered agent?
A Tennessee registered agent is a person or entity authorized to accept legal mail, including lawsuits, on behalf of a business. The registered agent must accept these documents at a physical office address provided to the Tennessee Secretary of State. You can act as your own registered agent or appoint someone else.
The Purpose of TN Registered Agents
Tennessee registered agents receive service of process for the businesses they represent. Their purpose is to ensure that legal documents reach the businesses they’re intended for.
Tennessee Registered Agent Requirements
Tennessee requires registered agents to have a physical office address where they can receive legal notices in person. The state call this a registered office.
Who can be a registered agent in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, your registered agent can either be an individual or a business. If it’s a business, it must be registered with the state.
Can I be my own registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Tennessee. But before volunteering to take on this appointment in the Volunteer State, make sure you meet some requirements.
For one, you should have a physical address that you can be present at during regular business to accept legal mail. You must also be comfortable listing your business address on the business formation paperwork that will become part of the public record after it’s filed. If you’d prefer more privacy, it makes sense to designate someone else as your registered agent.
How To Find a Tennessee Registered Agent
There are a couple of ways to approach finding a Tennessee registered agent, depending on what type of agent you want.
If you’d like an individual, check to see if any business partners, family members, or friends are up to the task. But don’t let any random person do it, since registered agents have to accept and properly handle sensitive legal documents.
If you’d rather hire an entity, a registered agent company is the best way to get quality service. Take a look at each company’s offerings, since accepting legal mail is the minimum you should expect. If you hire Registered Agents Inc, you’ll also get domain name services, for instance.
How to Appoint a TN Registered Agent
If you’re forming an LLC, list your registered agent’s name and address on the Articles of Organization. The cost is $50 per member, with a minimum fee of $300 and a maximum fee of $3,000.
If you’re forming a corporation, list the agent’s name and address on your For-Profit Corporation Charter. The fee is $100.
Your formation documents must be submitted to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. There’s a service fee if you pay online with a debit or credit card. To avoid the extra service fee, file in person or by mail at the following address:
Tennessee Secretary of State
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
How to Change a Tennessee Registered Agent
To change your Tennessee registered agent, you must fill out a Change of Registered Agent/Office form. You can complete and submit the form online, or you can mail the form to the below address.
Tennessee Secretary of State
ATTN: Corporate Filing
312 Rose L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
There’s a $20 filing fee. There’s also an additional service fee for filing online.
Why Should I Hire Registered Agents Inc?
When you hire Registered Agents Inc as your Tennessee registered agent, you receive the benefits of a national operation alongside the perks of a local business. That means you get:
Same-day document uploads
Immediately after we receive legal mail for your business, our Tennessee team scans and uploads it to your secure online account. We never send out your documents for processing.
Annual report filing
Tennessee businesses must file an annual report, and in most cases, it’s due April 1. But you won’t have to worry about filing your annual report when you hire us, because our Registered Agent service includes annual report filing. You only pay the state fee.
Secure online account
You’ll get immediate access to your online account when you hire us. This is where we’ll upload legal mail we receive for you. It’s also where you can add additional services if you want them.
Instant notifications
We’ll send you an email notice the minute a new document is added to your account.
Local offices nationwide
Registered Agents Inc operates offices in all 50 states. That means if you want to expand your Tennessee business to Georgia, we’ve got you covered.
Expert assistance
Our customer support team deals with Tennessee business filings all day, every day. If you need help with paperwork or have questions about your account, a member of our team is ready to help you.
Are you looking to offer registered agent services to clients of your own? Check out our Wholesale Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a registered agent cost in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, a registered agent service generally costs between $50 and $300 a year. Our premium registered agent service is $200 a year.
How do I resign as a registered agent in Tennessee?
A departing registered agent should fill out the appropriate Resignation of Registered Agent form for their entity, then submit it to the Secretary of State’s office with a $20 filing fee.
Does TN require a registered agent?
Yes. Tennessee requires all entities except general partnerships to maintain a registered agent and office within the state.
