Tennessee (TN) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search

A business information search facility is provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State which allows you to search for individual business entities. Their business search facility includes all businesses that have registered with them in Tennessee and you can view publicly available information about the businesses.

You can search their database by:

• Business name
• Control number

Search by business name

Tennessee’s business information search facility can be searched by business name using a choice of filters of either starts with or contains. You can also select to search for only active entities only.

The database presents search results in a list displaying the control number, entity type, name, name type, name status, entity filing date and entity status.

More details about the businesses can be viewed by clicking on the control number which is colored blue. The business record displays publicly available information which includes:

• Name
• Foreign name
• Status
• Initial filing date
• Formed in
• Delayed effective date
• Fiscal year close
• AR due date
• Term of duration
• Inactive date
• Principal office
• Mailing address
• AR exempt
• Obligated member entity
• Shares of stock
• Assumed names
• History
• Registered agent

There are also some actions available to authorised people which include filing an annual report, obtaining certificates, registering an assumed name, updating details such as agent details, mailing address and ceasing trading.

Search by control number

The database can also be searched by Tennessee control number if you know the number of the business you are searching for.

The search results can produce a list with a single entry or several entries if the business has multiple entries. The list will include information about the business including control number, entity type, name, name type, name status, entity filing date and entity status. You can open up the business record by clicking on the control number highlighted in blue and this will display additional information such as address information, registered agent and history, plus more as listed above in search by business name.

Contact details

Website: https://sos.tn.gov/

Phone: (615) 741-2819

Address: 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 6^th Floor, Snodgrass Tower, Nashville, TN 37243-1102

Hours: Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm

How to register a business in Tennessee?

If you are setting up a business in Tennessee you will need to register the business with the Tennessee Secretary of State. To do this you may want to follow these steps:

1. To register your business you will need to decide what you are calling your business and you should check whether the name is available on the Tennessee Secretary of State Business Name Availability.
2. You need to work out what business structure will be the best to operate under as this will determine how you set up your business.
3. When you have completed the above two steps you can then register your business on the Tennessee Secretary of State website where you can file the registration online in most cases or it can be printed and mailed with the fee enclosed. Limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations will need to complete either articles of organization or a charter to form the business. Sole proprietorships do not need to register.

How much does a Tennessee business entity search cost?

Tennessee Secretary of State does not charge for their business information search facility where you can query, view and print information about businesses. A copy of the database can be downloaded for a fee.

How can I get a business license in Tennessee?

There is not a general statewide business license in Tennessee, but other licenses and permits may be required. One of which is the business tax license that is available from either city or county clerks and it costs $15. Other licenses and permits can be related to your industry or profession and these may be issued at the federal, state or local level.

Local licenses may be required and you will need to contact your local city or county clerk’s office for more details. License and permit fees vary depending on the type and location so you will need to check when you are applying for the costs.