Tennessee LLC Articles of Organization – How to Register?


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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If you are forming an LLC in Tennessee, then this page’s content would be vital. As you learn how to start an LLC, you will realize that the bulk of your initial work and LLC cost comprises filing Tennessee articles of organization, which we will elaborate on this page.

What is an Article of Organization?

Articles of Organization, also known as an LLC certificate or Certificate of Formation in some states, is a document filed with the secretary of state to form an LLC.

Each state has a different requirement to fill out a form. An Article of Organization usually includes the following:

  • The name of the LLC,
  • the effective date of the LLC,
  • the company’s principal office,
  • the business purpose,
  • the duration of the business,
  • a copy of the LLC’s name registration certificate, and
  • the name and address of the registered agent, organizers, and
  • at least one member of the company.

You can file an Article of Organization online, by mail, or in person.

Note that the certification of formation is a legal requirement, not to mention, the core of your LLC formation. It even makes up the bulk of your Tennessee LLC cost. Without it, you have no LLC. So, take the time to complete and file this certificate.

How to File Tennessee Articles of Organization

These are the simple steps to follow in filing an Article of Organization in Tennessee.

Step 1: Find Forms Online

Go to the Tennessee Secretary of State to download the Articles of Organization form for your LLC or to log into the online service.

Step 2: Fill Out Form

When filling out the form, you must have reserved an LLC name. Do a name search. Go to Tennessee LLC Name Search to check whether your chosen business name is available to use in this state.

You must attach a copy of your Name Reservation to your filled-out Articles of Organization form when filing. You also need to nominate a registered agent. Here are 3 of the best LLC services on our list.

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Step 3: File Formation Certificates

File your formation certificate either online or by mail by filling out a form and sending it to the Secretary of State’s office at 6th FL – Snodgrass Tower ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, Nashville, TN 37243.

Steps to Register Article of Organization Online

Time needed: 5 minutes

To operate your business limited liability company in the State of Tennessee, you must first apply for the Articles of Organization of your business LLC with the Secretary of State office. When you opt for an online filing method, your application is processed immediately. The cost of registration is $300. The formation guide in the following steps will assist you in applying for the Articles of Organization in Tennessee.

  1. Access the Official website of the Tennessee Secretary of State

    Go to the Businesses tab on the official Tennessee Secretary of State website. The website provides a very easy and convenient one-stop solution to different business filing requirements through online methods. On the webpage, select the option of ‘File Businesses online’. tennessee-certificate-of-formation

  2. Start Now

    On the next page, the instructions are mentioned. After reading all the requirements, click on the red tab ‘Start Now’.tennessee-certificate-of-formation

  3. Business Entity Type

    On the following page, select your business entity type as ‘Limited Liability Company.’ Next, tick the ‘I Attest that’ tab and press the continue button.tennessee-certificate-of-formation

  4. Start to fill in the application form

    Now, the online application form is displayed on the screen. Enter the business entity name and confirm the same. Select the formation locale as ‘Domestic Tennessee Business’. If your business is a Series LLC, you can accordingly select the same. Next, press the ‘Continue’ tab.tennessee-certificate-of-formation

  5. Proceed with the further details

    After completing the first page, proceed to the next pages and provide all the detailed information regarding your business details, registered agent address, principal office address, confirmation. Next, provide the signature for authentication.

  6. Review the information

    Once you have filled in all the required details, you must review all the information mentioned in the application form. All the information should be true and accurate to your knowledge.

  7. Make the payment

    To confirm the submission of your application, proceed to the payment gateway page and pay $300 as the filing fee of your application. After successfully submitting your application form, you will receive a notification from the Secretary of State office acknowledging the receipt of your application. You can expect a reply within 5-7 business days.

Tennessee Articles of Organization Filing By Mail

In case you wish to apply for the business formation articles through offline options, you can do that easily by mail. Follow the instructions below to file your Tennessee Articles of Organization by mail:

  • You can access the Articles of Organization (ss-4270) from the Official Secretary of State website. You can also download the Application form PDF on your device.
  • Read the instructions and guidelines attached to the application form thoroughly.
  • Start to fill in the application form according to the instructions and guidelines. After completing the application, review all the details carefully to avoid any error in the details.
  • You can also attach the name reservation certificate along with the application form.
  • Issue a money order or check for $300 as the minimum fee and increasing up to $3000 for $50 per member in existence, payable to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Cash is accepted for walk-in filings.
  • Arrange all the documents along with the application form and mail it to the following address, Business Services Division Tre Hargett, Secretary of State, State of Tennessee 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, 6th Fl. Nashville, TN 37243-1102. For walk-in applications, the address is, Secretary of State Business Services Division located at 6th FL – Snodgrass Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, Nashville, TN 37243.

Cost of Filing Articles of Organization in Tennessee

Among the offline and online filing methods, the latter is given preference over the former due to the convenience of filing and tracking applications and receiving early processing updates. Irrespective, the registration cost is the same for both the filing options. Here is the cost of filing your formation articles in Tennessee,

  • Online Filing costs $300 (minimum) and $50 (per member)
  • By mail Filing costs $300 (minimum) and $50 (per member)

F.A.Qs

What is an Article of Organization?

An Article of Organization is a legal document that will officially make your LLC into existence. This document is needed specifically for Tennessee in forming an LLC business structure.

What information does an Article of Organization application need?

The application form for the Articles of Organization needs to include the LLC name, date of establishment, the company’s registered office, business purpose, how long the business will exist, and a copy of the LLC’s name registration certificate.

What is the recommended method of filing an Article of Organization, online or by mail?

Filing by mail or in person is neither highly recommended nor required; waiting an extra week for your LLC to be approved isn’t that bad. The LLC approval you send in will be returned by mail. Online filing, meanwhile, is more convenient as you won’t have to stay in a queue.

Where Can You Find Your Tennessee LLC Articles of Organization

Articles of Organization for Tennessee LLC can be accessed through the Tennessee Secretary of State website. You can also download the PDF from the same website.

The Articles of Organization is a legal document that officially establishes your LLC and provides important information about your business, such as its name, registered agent, business address, and purpose. Filing this document is a crucial step in the formation of your LLC, as it creates the legal structure of your business and gives you official recognition as a business entity in the state of Tennessee.

So, where can you find your Tennessee LLC Articles of Organization? Fortunately, the process is relatively simple and can be done entirely online. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s website provides a convenient and user-friendly online portal where you can submit your Articles of Organization electronically. This option allows for a quick and seamless filing process, eliminating the need for paper forms and in-person visits to the Secretary of State’s office.

When filing your Articles of Organization online, you will need to provide all required information about your LLC, including its name, registered agent, business address, and purpose. It is important to ensure that this information is accurate and up-to-date, as any mistakes or omissions could delay the processing of your filing. Additionally, you will need to pay the required filing fee, which can vary depending on the type of LLC you are forming and other factors.

In addition to filing online, you also have the option of submitting your Articles of Organization by mail or in person at the Secretary of State’s office. However, these methods may be more time-consuming and less convenient than filing online. If you choose to file by mail or in person, be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the Secretary of State to ensure that your filing is processed correctly.

Once your Articles of Organization have been filed and accepted by the Secretary of State, your LLC will be officially established and you can begin conducting business in Tennessee. However, there are still other steps that you may need to take, such as obtaining any necessary business licenses or permits, registering for state taxes, and creating an operating agreement for your LLC.

Overall, filing your Tennessee LLC Articles of Organization is an important step in the process of starting your business. By ensuring that your filing is accurate and timely, you can avoid potential delays or complications in the formation of your LLC. Whether you choose to file online, by mail, or in person, be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the Secretary of State to successfully establish your LLC and start your business on the right foot.

In Conclusion

Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation is the most important document for your Tennessee LLC. Before you submit/file the document make sure to provide proper and correct information about your company. If you have any questions, share that below in the comment section.

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