Tennessee Registered Agent: If you wish to start an LLC in Tennessee, you have to appoint a registered agent. According to Tennessee State Law, it is mandatory to have a Tennessee Registered Agent if you are conducting business in the state. A registered agent receives all the official and legal documents from the State. They also receive the service of process if there’s any lawsuit in concern.
In the following guide, we have shared all the required information regarding hiring a registered agent, why you need a registered agent in Tennessee, and who can be a registered agent for your LLC. Read this guide carefully before you hire a Tennessee Registered Agent.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
What is a Tennessee Registered Agent
A registered agent (or a statutory agent or a resident agent) in Tennessee is an individual or a business that represents your business in receiving official documents. These official papers include formation documents, business renewal documents, tax filing, and any legal document if the LLC gets sued by other companies. All these documents go straight to the registered agent’s official address in the state. While forming an LLC, it is mandatory to appoint a registered agent.
When you file the Tennessee LLC formation papers with the Secretary of State, LLCs have to mention their registered agent’s name and address. When you choose a registered agent in Tennessee, you can go for two options, hiring an in-house registered agent or outsourcing the service.
Hiring a Registered Agent in Tennessee
You may have several options for hiring a registered agent in Tennessee. To become a registered agent, one has to meet the basic eligibility criteria. If the minimum requirements are fulfilled, anyone residing in Tennessee can represent your LLC as your registered agent.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent
- The person must be above 18 years old.
- The person must have a legal and physical address in the state where the LLC will operate.
- The person must be physically present during normal working hours.
- Anyone who fulfills the above requirements can act as a registered agent.
- Recommended – You should use a professional registered agent in Tennessee always.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent
Yes, you can be your own registered agent. In fact, any member of the LLC, managers, and the owner can be a registered agent. Besides, someone from the owners’ family, such as a spouse, relatives, or other family members, can also act as a registered agent. As mentioned above, anyone who is representing the business as an agent should fulfill the basic criteria.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Your Own Registered Agent
Many small businesses do not hire a registered agent to save a chunk of money. However, it is not recommended to be your own registered agent. There are a bunch of problems one has to face while being a registered agent of his own LLC. Following are some of the issues you face,
- If you are operating your business from home or you are into web business, then your home address will be shared on the public portal. This address will be used for mailing and other official purposes. This will hamper your privacy.
- A registered agent has to be physically available at the official address during working hours on working days for 52 weeks. Being your own registered agent might restrict your other work due to this.
- The registered agent’s address must be up to date in the Secretary of State portal.
It is recommended to outsource the registered agent service to ease your work. As it protects your privacy, especially if you conduct your business from home. It is always wise to outsource the RA service than be your own registered agent.
Recommended: You can get the best registered agent service at a reasonable price with online LLC service providers. We recommend using –
LegalZoom – $299 Per Year
How to Choose a Registered Agent in Tennessee
You can choose a Tennessee Registered Agent in two ways, either you can employ an in-house RA or outsource the service. Another option is to be your own registered agent. However, it is recommended to outsource the service as it is less worrisome and hassle-free.
In-house Registered Agent
As far as the in-house registered agent is concerned, it can be anyone from the LLC, including you, or you can employ an individual for this position. In that case, your office or home address will be the Registered Agent’s office address. Every LLC has to share its principal office address, mailing address, and registered agent’s office address to the state public portal. Hiring a registered agent service will make it easier as you can use the RA’s address as a mailing address.
Outsourcing Registered Agent Service
You may also avail yourself of professional registered agent services. Doing so ensures that you will have the best service provider to represent your business. Following are the best Registered Agent services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $299 Per Year |
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 | $125 Per Year |
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Note that availing of the services of professional registered agents would be your best option since you are guaranteed that whoever is handling your legal affairs knows their stuff well. If you are forming your LLC from scratch, then with LegalZoom Registered Agent, you will get the full formation package.
What to Consider While Choosing a Tennessee Registered Agent
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a registered agent.
- Service Fee: Since most states require formal businesses to have registered agents, selecting the best-registered agent is critical. Hiring a registered agent typically costs between $99 and $300 annually. When you consider how much time it will save you, this is a small price to pay.
- Tenure in Business of Registered Agent: You want the registered agent to have established and time-tested procedures for handling documents. We recommend Registered Agent Services that have been in business for a long time. They are experienced and well capable of handling all your documentation.
- State Jurisdiction Limitation: If your company expands to another state, you should use the same registered agent in all states to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with multiple registered agent service providers. Check out the best Registered Agent Services to consider for this job.
- Offer Monitoring and Follow-up Services: You want to receive up-to-date information and alerts from your registered agent as soon as possible so that you are aware of the various statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to your company. Some of the service providers offer this service. Make sure to choose an RA service that includes this service.
How to Appoint a Registered Agent in Tennessee
At the time of submitting the Tennessee Articles of Organization, the registered agent can be appointed by the LLC. It can be done online or by mail. No additional fee is charged for appointing a Registered Agent. Only the state filing fee should be paid.
Appoint Registered Agent Online
To appoint a registered agent online, you have to go to the Tennessee LLC Online Filing page and provide the information of your Registered Agent accordingly.
Appoint Registered Agent By Mail
To appoint a registered agent in Tennessee by mail, you need to download the Tennessee LLC filing form (PDF). Fill up the “Registered Agent” section with appropriate details of the agent and submit it to the SOS office. For more information, read on Tennessee Articles of Organization.
Cost of a Tennessee Registered Agent
The cost of having a registered agent can be variable. It depends on whether you are employing an in-house registered agent, being your own agent, or outsourcing the service. The cost of having a registered agent can start from $99 and go up to $300 per year. It will be cost-effective if you outsource the registered agent service in Tennessee.
Registered Agent services that also provide LLC formation packages can provide the same service at a lower price. For example, LegalZoom Registered Agent offers standalone registered agent service at $299 per year, but if you buy their LLC formation package at $0 + state fees, you might get a registered agent at a low cost.
How to Change a Registered Agent in Tennessee
To change the Tennessee registered agent, you must file a Change of registered agent or office by entity form. This form can be submitted to the Tennessee Secretary of State via mail or online.
File Online
For online filing, you need to get the online form which is available on the Tennessee Secretary of State portal. Fill in all the necessary information of LLC as well as current and old registered agents. This form must be completed and signed by the newly appointed registered agent and any authorized member of the LLC. The signature of the new registered agent acts like the consent to be appointed as one. Submit it online.
Fee: $20
File By Mail
You can also choose to file the form through the mail. You need to download the Change of registered agent or office by entity form from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s portal. Fill in all the details on your computer. The completed form is to be signed by the newly appointed registered agent. The duly signed form must be sent to the following address,
Mail to: Tennessee Secretary of State
ATTN: Corporate Filing
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
How to Pay: The filing amount is payable to the Tennessee secretary of state through a credit card when filing online/by email. For paper filing, you can choose to pay through money order or check.
Why Do LLCs in Tennessee Need a Registered Agent Service
There are several reasons why a business should appoint a registered agent in Tennessee. Some of the most important reasons are listed below,
- Confidentiality: Having a registered agent service in Tennessee ensures the complete privacy of your business and related documentation. Appointing a registered agent company instead of an individual gets you privacy and confidentiality contracts beforehand.
- Up-to-date Compliance: LLCs and corporates have plenty of paperwork and compliances that are to be updated on time. With a registered agent service, you don’t have to worry about those compliances as your registered agent will maintain a compliance calendar.
- Privacy: It is mandatory for businesses in Tennessee to publicly upload their address to the Tennessee Secretary of State. If you are using the home address for your business, then it would not be safe to make your private address public. On the other side, appointing a registered agent service will cover you up here as they have to provide their address to the Tennessee SOS and not yours.
- Availability: Every registered agent has to be available during office hours of work on business days. If you hire a registered agent service, then they can be available at the required time without harming other tasks at the company.
- Online Safe Backup: Every registered agent in Tennessee or any other state usually takes an online backup of all the documents and paperwork. This ensures the LLC papers are securely saved in a central system.
- Lawsuits or Summons: Getting summoned or involved in a lawsuit does not leave a good impression on the employees. With a registered agent, all the related papers will be delivered to the Registered Agent’s official address. Hence, owners do not have to receive any such papers in their office in front of their employees.
Tennessee Business Laws for Registered Agents to Note
A registered agent, also known as a statutory agent, is an LLC’s most important member. Business owners must choose a suitable agent when incorporating an LLC; otherwise, the secretary of state may punish them. Of course, while choosing an agent, they must follow state requirements.
When the state creates legal and tax paperwork, as well as when lawsuits are filed, the Tennessee registered agent must be present. Only a resident of the state would be aware of the restrictions and provide services within it. Tennessee’s business laws are as follows:
Tennessee Antitrust Laws
Tennessee antitrust law prohibits the following actions:
- Agreements on pricing (for example, two or more competitors agree on keeping prices artificially high)
- All “commercial arrangements, contracts, agreements, trusts, or combinations” are geared at limiting competition at the expense of consumers.
- Underpricing or giving away goods with the goal of “disrupting fair competition.”
- Discrimination in pricing, access, and other areas by news vendors and distributors
Tennessee Civil Statute of Limitations
States place time limits on civil proceedings and processes, such as lawsuits and verdicts, known as “statutes of limitations.” In Tennessee, like in other states, different types of civil actions have varied time limits. Plaintiffs, for example, have one year to file a personal injury claim, three years to initiate a lawsuit concerning personal property, and six years to collect rent and obligations.
Tennessee Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
False advertising and bait and switch scams are examples of “deceptive trade practices” prohibited under state legislation. Tennessee enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 rather than the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The legislation defines 44 different sorts of activities that can be punished as Class B misdemeanors if they are improperly “affecting the conduct of any trade or commerce.” Among them are:
- Taking another’s goods or services and passing them off as your own (counterfeiting)
- Being untrustworthy about the origins of products or services
- Selling worn or “altered to the point of diminishing value” products as new
Tennessee Interest Rates Laws
State rules limit the amount of interest a creditor can charge, but there’s a catch: consumers frequently agree to pay more interest by accepting the terms presented, thereby bypassing any legislative limits. Furthermore, most state laws regulating interest rates contain exclusions. In Tennessee, for example, a creditor is allowed to charge a maximum of 10% interest.
Tennessee Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws
Tax evasion or tax fraud is the deliberate failure to pay for underpayment of taxes. Filling out tax documents incorrectly in order to owe the state less money is one type of tax fraud. White-collar crime includes tax fraud.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue is in charge of tax collection in the state. The Department of Revenue may seek tax fraud prosecution if a citizen fails to repay their required taxes or is knowingly underpaid.
Tennessee Pyramid and Ponzi Scheme Laws
In most cases, these scams entail putting money into a system in which a few at the top make a lot of money, whereas many new people are duped into joining the plan by others. The goal is to persuade people to join rather than sell them stuff. In Tennessee, pyramid or Ponzi schemes are illegal.
How to Remove a Registered Agent for LLC in Tennessee
A registered agent for LLC in Tennessee can be removed by filing a Registered Agent Change with the Tennessee Secretary of State with a filing fee of $20.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a popular business entity in Tennessee due to their flexibility and simplicity. Every LLC must have a registered agent to represent the company and receive important documents on its behalf. However, there are circumstances when the LLC may need to remove or replace their current registered agent. The process for removing a registered agent for an LLC in Tennessee is not complicated, but there are important steps to follow.
The first step in removing a registered agent for an LLC in Tennessee is to consult the company’s operating agreement, which should outline specific provisions for changing agents. While not every LLC operating agreement will cover such provisions, those that do may require steps that are at the agent’s discretion. Generally, the agent decides if they will furnish their resignation or if they want to be replaced. In the event that the agreement does not mention the specifics, the Tennessee Revised Statutes provide a default stipulations that apply.
After reviewing the operating company agreement, the LLC should complete a Notice of Termination form. The Notice of Termination shall include a statement that the registered agent has been terminated or a statement that evidence of the proper delivery of notice of resignation. By filing the Notice of Termination, the LLC officially removes the current agent from the company and endows itself sole responsibility for appointing a new agent. Through this process, the agency’s responsibilities will effectively terminate and will no longer act as the conduit for Service of Process to the LLC.
The Notice of Termination form must then be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office. This request, however, is not accepted in-person; companies must send the document by mail. One can upload the Docs digitally at Minimal fees for crucial modifications. If approved, the form will be stamped and returned to the LLC for their records. It is important to remember that this filing requires reimbursement of State processing fees, which, in Tennessee, amounts to $20.
Essentially, by removing the registered agent, the LLC takes responsibility for compliance filings, paying any annual dues, and meeting important regulatory requirements. To avoid any missing deadlines, which may cause incur penalties, it’s a good idea to hire a registered agent to promptly take care of those tasks.
In conclusion, the process may appear overwhelming for individuals who are new to it. However, it is necessary. Relatively speaking, it is a straightforward process. For companies currently experiencing challenges with their registered agent, following the above few manageable steps carefully help terminate business with expediency. Advisors or legal mechanicians can guide one through the entirety of the process, too. When the notice of termination has been accepted, the LLCs can diligently appoint a new agent to ensure the smooth running of their business operations uninterrupted. By staying on top of the modern regulatory standards, the company mitigates risks preventing worse-case scenarios.
FAQ
You must submit the RA change application form to the Tennessee Secretary of State in order to modify the registered agent in Tennessee. You have three options for submitting this: online, by mail to the Tennessee Secretary of State, ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-1102, or by fax, depending on whatever option works best for you. In Tennessee, it costs $20 to switch a registered agent.
In Tennessee, registering as an agent is simple. You must be above 18 and a resident of the state in order to register as an agent. In Tennessee, being a registered agent doesn’t call for a special educational background.
A registered agent in Tennessee may be anybody. Any person who meets the requirements, including your spouse, family, LLC members, and you, may act as the registered agent. The applicant must be an adult and a legal resident of Tennessee.
You must submit the RA Change Form with the new address specified if you want to change a registered agent’s address in Tennessee. You may submit the form in three different ways, depending on what method works best for you: online, by mail (to the Tennessee Secretary of State, ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-1102), or by fax. To the Tennessee SOS, you should send this form.
Visit the Tennessee SOS website to locate a company’s registered agent. When searching, use the company name if you know it. Get the registered agent information from there if you find the firm you are searching for.
In Tennessee, a registered agent is in charge of collecting legal notifications and permits as well as serving any processes on behalf of the business. In Tennessee, it is required to have a registered agent. In Tennessee, you have the option of using a professional or acting on your own.
Companies must provide their name, address, and contact information at the time of company registration in order to formally designate a registered agent in Tennessee. The registered agent is mentioned separately in the article of incorporation. To designate a registered agent in Tennessee, follow these steps.
These actions must be taken in order to look for a registered agent’s address:
1. Visit the website for the Secretary of State of Tennessee.
2. Look up a business using its name
3. Examine the Registered agent section and the address list.
You may then look for the Tennessee address of the registered agent in this manner.
Visit the website of the Tennessee Secretary of State to look up a company. The “Search” option may be found. A company’s name and the name of the registered agent may both be used in a search. To acquire the information about your company, choose “registered agent” and input the name of your registered agent.
You must meet three requirements in order to be a registered agent in Tennessee. The first requirement is that you must be older than 18 years old. The second requirement is that you must live in the state. You must, therefore, have a Tennessee street address. Finally, you must be qualified to operate a company in Tennessee.
In Tennessee, finding a registered agent for a company is simple. The gateway of the Tennessee Secretary of State is where you must go. A company may be located using its name, tax ID, and registered agent’s name. To find out who the registered agent is for a corporation, do a search on the name of the company.
A registered agent in Tennessee must write a letter of resignation to the business that they are currently working for if they wish to quit. The Tennessee Secretary of State should receive a resignation notification along with the resignation letter after a certain period, confirming the registered agent’s departure.
The Tennessee Secretary of State must receive the RA Change Form in order to update a registered agent in Tennessee through the internet. Not all states provide an online system for changing a registered agent. To check whether the online option is available, visit the Tennessee SOS website.
The Tennessee Secretary of State must receive the RA Change Form in order to update a registered agent in Tennessee through the internet. Not all states provide an online system for changing a registered agent. To check whether the online option is available, visit the Tennessee SOS website.
In Tennessee, there are three methods to get a free registered agent. Becoming your own registered agent is the first option. Second, if any member of your family, partner, or acquaintances is appointed as a registered agent. Finally, some businesses specialize in company creation and provide free registered agent services in Tennessee.
A Tennessee registered agent is simple to find online. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s official website must be accessed. The “search by name” option is available if you know the company name. You may investigate a registered agent’s information from the list when you discover the firm facts.
The Tennessee Secretary of State, ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243-1102, is where the registered agent form should be delivered if Tennessee is your state of incorporation. You must choose a registered agent for your company and provide all of their information on the formation paperwork when you register it. Send it via mail to the aforementioned address.
In Tennessee, you are required to have a registered agent for your business. However, you can run into legal issues if your firm doesn’t have a registered agent. As a result, it’s crucial to work with a registered agent in Tennessee (although you may alternatively serve as your own registered agent).
Your business won’t have a registered agent if a registered agent passes away. In Tennessee, you must have a registered agent for your business. If he or she passes away, all of the power will be lost. Companies must immediately inform the SOS if their registered agent changes or is replaced.
Whether or whether the name of the registered agent may be concealed cannot be answered with certainty. In certain states, it is permissible to keep the names of LLC owners or members private. If your LLC is anonymous, that may happen. The registered agent’s name cannot be concealed in several states. Consult the Tennessee Secretary of State’s business registration rules for further information.
Call (615) 741-2286 to find out who the registered agent is in Tennessee. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the Tennessee Secretary of State’s regular business hours (central time). To contact the division you’re searching for, dial this number and follow the instructions.
The consent of a registered agent is a statement in writing that the agent is prepared to act as the company’s representative. If you alter your registered agent in Tennessee or appoint a new one, the new agent must get the SOS’s approval beforehand.
Between a registered agent and a resident agent, there is no such distinction. The resident agent is another name for the registered agent in Tennessee. Generally speaking, a resident agent is referred to as a registered agent. Several states refer to agents as residents.
A legal fine and responsibility may be imposed on the person appointing a registered agent without the permission of any individual who has been designated as such in Tennessee without their consent. Furthermore, they are free to refuse any obligations imposed by the procedure.
The answer is that your LLC may still be sued even if there isn’t a registered agent in Tennessee for your business. Any corporate entity in Tennessee may be sued in a number of ways. Another method of suing the firm will be available if no one is available to accept the court filings.
In Tennessee, the designation is revocable by the registered agent. The statement of rejection may be signed and sent to the Secretary of State in order to reject the designation. The SOS website hosts the declaration of refusal.
In Conclusion
Before you choose a registered agent for your Tennessee LLC, compare their price and services from the table. They will be responsible for all your documentation, filings, and other LLC-related tasks. Hence, choose the best one for your business that provides 100% accurate service at a reasonable price.
