How to Get Certificate of Existence in Tennessee (2025)

The Certificate of Existence is a significant document that LLC owners require if they want to expand their business outside of Tennessee. The Tennessee Secretary of State issues this document in favor of the company with the required details to submit it to the other state into which it is going to expand.

When you file an LLC in Tennessee while residing in a different state, you submit the certificate of authority to the Tennessee SOS. Similarly, an LLC formed in Tennessee (as a principal office) has to submit this document while forming an LLC in other states. In this article, LLCBuddy editors share the ins and outs of getting the Tennessee Certificate of Good Standing.

What is a Certificate of Existence in Tennessee

The Certificate of Existence is a document that every business in Tennessee requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation in Tennessee, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Tennessee. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, a Certificate of Existence will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities. Besides, to restore or reinstate an LLC in Tennessee after dissolution, you must obtain this document.

How to Obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence

The Tennessee Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Existence, you must fill out the form and send it to the Tennessee SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

To obtain the Certificate of Existence, you need to log in to the Secretary of State Control Number. You can request a Certificate of Existence by submitting the online form.

Generate Certificate of Good Standing:

Online application: Request Certificate of Existence
Offline application: No offline form is available
Fees: $20

The following points are required to be mentioned in the form-

Details of the Requester: The first information you need to provide is the details of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number.

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended that you share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from the Tennessee SOS. If you request the document in person, you can return it in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it.

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of certificate copies from the SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain multiple copies of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended that more copies of the certificate be obtained for future use.

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a faxed copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: You can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the Tennessee Articles of Organization for LLCs, the Charter for Profit Corporation for corporations, LLC amendments, corporation amendments, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional, and you can avoid this. You must pay a stipulated fee for every copy you request.

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online. Contact the Corporate Filings, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower, Nashville, Tennessee 37243 for other details (if required). You must search the Tennessee SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $20 must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Existence. The amount might be more depending on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might have to pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The processing time for the Certificate of Existence varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. Obtaining the Certificate of Existence in Tennessee can take a few days to a few months.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Existence

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the Tennessee SOS whether they have expedited filing. In Tennessee, receiving the Certificate of Existence can take up to a few months.

What Information do You Have in the Tennessee Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Existence will have-

The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
The current name and address of the business entity
Whether the business entity exists today
Name and address of the Registered Agent
The State where the document is issued
A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements.
A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Existence

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in Tennessee is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Existence. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Existence because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence in Tennessee is a character certificate for any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons,

To get business loans and advances or investors
To get business bank accounts
To purchase insurance for business coverage
To renew licenses & permits
To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC.
To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another.
To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.
If your LLC is dissolved for administrative reasons and you want to restore it, you must obtain the Certificate of Existence for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Tennessee Certificate of Existence is needed.

FAQs

What is a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

A Tennessee Certificate of Existence is a document that proves a business entity is active and compliant with state regulations.

Why do I need a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

You may need a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to comply with certain state or federal requirements, such as opening a bank account or obtaining a business loan.

How can I obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

You can obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence by submitting a request to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office either online or by mail.

How much does a Tennessee Certificate of Existence cost?

The cost of a Tennessee Certificate of Existence varies depending on the specific business entity and how you choose to request it.

How long is a Tennessee Certificate of Existence valid?

A Tennessee Certificate of Existence is typically valid for a certain period of time, such as 1 year, before it needs to be renewed.

Can I request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence online?

Yes, you can typically request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence online through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.

What information do I need to provide to request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

You may need to provide information such as your business entity’s name, entity type, and registration number when requesting a Tennessee Certificate of Existence.

How long does it take to receive a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

The processing time for a Tennessee Certificate of Existence can vary, but it is typically issued within a few business days of the request.

Can I expedite the processing of a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

Some state agencies may offer expedited processing for an additional fee, allowing you to receive your Tennessee Certificate of Existence more quickly.

What should I do if my Tennessee Certificate of Existence is lost or damaged?

If your Tennessee Certificate of Existence is lost or damaged, you can typically request a replacement copy from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.

Do I need a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to operate my business in other states?

Some states may require a Certificate of Existence from the primary state of registration in order to qualify for foreign qualification to do business in their state.

Can I use a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to renew my business licenses?

Some licensing agencies may accept a Tennessee Certificate of Existence as proof of active status when renewing business licenses.

Can individuals obtain a Certificate of Existence from the state of Tennessee?

No, a Certificate of Existence is typically only issued to business entities that are registered with the state of Tennessee.

Can I obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for a non-profit organization?

Yes, non-profit organizations can also obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to demonstrate their active status.

Does a foreign business entity need a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to do business in the state?

Yes, foreign business entities typically need to obtain a Certificate of Existence from their home state in order to register and do business in Tennessee.

Can I request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for multiple business entities at once?

Yes, you can typically request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for multiple business entities in a single request, as long as you provide the necessary information for each entity.

Is a Tennessee Certificate of Existence the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?

While similar, a Tennessee Certificate of Existence simply verifies that a business is registered and active, whereas a Certificate of Good Standing confirms that the business is compliant with all state regulations.

Can I verify the authenticity of a Tennessee Certificate of Existence online?

Yes, you can typically verify the authenticity of a Tennessee Certificate of Existence by checking the Secretary of State’s website or contacting their office directly.

How should I display my Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

You may be required to display your Tennessee Certificate of Existence in a visible location, such as in your place of business or on your website.

Can I use a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for legal purposes?

A Tennessee Certificate of Existence is often used as evidence in legal proceedings to prove a business entity’s active and compliant status.

Can I request a historical Tennessee Certificate of Existence for my business?

Yes, you can typically request a historical Tennessee Certificate of Existence to verify your business’s status during specific time periods.

Can I request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for an LLC that is no longer active?

Yes, you can request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for an LLC that is no longer active to obtain proof of its previous status.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Existence and a Certificate of Compliance in Tennessee?

A Certificate of Existence simply proves a business entity’s active status, while a Certificate of Compliance verifies that the entity is compliant with annual report filing requirements and other state regulations.

Can I appeal a denial of my Tennessee Certificate of Existence request?

If your request for a Tennessee Certificate of Existence is denied, you may have the option to appeal the decision or provide additional documentation to support your request.

Is a Tennessee Certificate of Existence required for all business entities in the state?

Most business entities in Tennessee are required to obtain and maintain a Certificate of Existence to demonstrate their active status and compliance with state regulations.

Can I request a Tennessee Certificate of Existence for a business entity that is in the process of formation?

In most cases, a business entity must be fully formed and registered with the state before a Tennessee Certificate of Existence can be requested.

How can I update the information on my Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

If any information on your Tennessee Certificate of Existence changes, you may need to request an updated certificate by submitting the new information to the Secretary of State’s office.

Can I use a Tennessee Certificate of Existence to apply for grants or funding?

Some grant applications or funding opportunities may require a Tennessee Certificate of Existence as proof of a business entity’s active and compliant status.

What is the quickest way to obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

The quickest way to obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence is typically by submitting an online request and paying any expedited processing fees to receive the document in a shorter timeframe.

How can I get a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?

You can obtain a Tennessee Certificate of Existence by submitting a request to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.

In Conclusion

The Certificate of Existence is a vital document for any business entity in Tennessee, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. Obtaining a Certificate of Existence is necessary if you plan to establish the same business in another state.

While forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation in Tennessee, it is necessary to have some documents filed with the State authority. The Certificate of Existence is one of them. In some cases, if the business gets shut down or dissolved due to administrative reasons, this document helps the owners retrieve their business in the future. In this article, we shared DIY ways to get the document, but you can always hire a professional to get that for you.