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.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
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.
- 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’.
- Start Now
On the next page, the instructions are mentioned. After reading all the requirements, click on the red tab ‘Start Now’.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
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.
Aspiring entrepreneurs in Tennessee interested in establishing an LLC as their chosen legal entity may feel challenged with the necessary paperwork, mainly finding the whereabouts of their LLC articles of organization.
The good news is that the internet has made the process much easier. A few clicks of a button can now enable entrepreneurs to access their LLC articles of organization online- without ever stepping into an attorney’s office, the state capital, or their Secretary of State’s office.
Tennessee LLC articles of organization are legal documents that officially establish your LLC in Tennessee. The document contains the essential pieces of information necessary for a person to start their LLC business, such as its name, address, primary point of contact, and member information.
It’s important to note that filing the Articles of Organization alone does not fully establish its legality; rather, it’s one of the multiple steps of starting your LLC business. As such, the filing process also introduces the official formation of the company with the Tennessee Secretary of State, but multiple other factors contribute to an LLC’s legality.
Tennessee LLC articles of organization filing process is straightforward and concise, which presents a great opportunity for proposed LLC business owners to establish requirements. The state government entity ensures procedural simplicity by providing future business trustees with various online forms that need completion following proper legal guidelines.
One method of filing the Tennessee LLC Articles of Organization is to do it through an attorney or legal counsel office. However, this can be an expensive alternative for new owners and startups.
Rather, another straightforward way founders can obtain their LLC articles of organization is to visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website. The website offers affordable online filing options and is, therefore, the go-to online resource.
At the Secretary of State’s website, entrepreneurs can make the payment necessary to file the documentation requirements through their chosen online platform. There is a significant convenience element in the online filing process that allows owners to expedite submissions properly.
Additionally, inclusions of previous public filings and retrieval services related to managed intellectual property can be found at the organizations’ online portal for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business. Case processing and prevalent licensing requirements related to registrar status for the Secretary of State could be remitted in fee format and expedite provisions.
In conclusion, finding your LLC Tennessee Articles of Organization has never been more accessible since the Tennessee government transformed such bureaucratic agreements’ processes for adequate registration. Entrepreneurs must follow the right medium of filing them to join successfully the long list of entity owners in the state. Two feasible options that one can consider are approaching an attorney or doing it themselves with minimal Internet surfing for form filing procedures at the Tennessee government platform. We hope this editorial provides aspiring Tennessee LLC founders with a more straightforward method of correctly obtaining ready-to-use resources for incorporation proceedings.
F.A.Qs
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.
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.
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.
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.
