Tennessee Registered Agent
LLCs are required to appoint a Tennessee registered agent to accept service of process.
You can appoint yourself, a partner, or a professional registered agent service. Professional services are affordable and can:
- Protect your privacy
- Give you more flexibility to leave your place of business during normal business hours
- Reduce risk and help you stay compliant
We'll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Tennessee
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A Tennessee registered agent will serve as your business’s primary point of contact; this is both in relation to the state as well as all other entities that may wish to file a lawsuit against you (i.e., deliver service of process).
In Tennessee, all LLCs and corporations are legally required to appoint a registered agent in order to be formed.
This can be yourself, another individual, or a registered agent service, so long as they:
- Have a physical street address in Tennessee
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are always available in their specified address during normal business hours
Tennessee Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service can go a long way when it comes to improving your convenience. This is because you will be able to retain more flexibility on a day-to-day basis (i.e., you won’t need to be physically present at your business address during normal business hours.).
- Privacy: All Tennessee registered agents’ names and addresses become publicly available. This means that hiring a third-party service can be an affordable way of protecting your privacy.
- Online Storage: Most reputable third-party services scan and upload all legal documents online, meaning that you will not need to worry about potentially losing an important file.
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can.
Being your own agent can be a great choice for business owners operating on an exceptionally tight budget (since it can be done for no charge).
Having said that, this route is generally not recommended, as hiring a third-party service is a much more time-efficient approach, and it is also relatively inexpensive for most small business owners (i.e., between $90 and $300 per year.).
If you are forming a new LLC, we recommend using an LLC formation service that includes a one-year-free registered agent option. These services can charge as little as $29 per formation (excluding state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Tennessee guide.
Best Tennessee Registered Agent Service
If you're in Tennessee and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Tennessee registered agent services below.
 |
Best Registered Agent Services |
|
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Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
|
LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
|
VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Tennessee. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a third-party service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A third-party service will ensure that you do not miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Tennessee Business Search. Using a third-party service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about an employee accidentally losing an important document.
A commercial registered agent service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Tennessee
For your LLC in Tennessee, you will need to appoint a registered agent when completing your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the official formation document (Form SS-4270) that you will need to file with the Tennessee Secretary of State in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online at the Tennessee Secretary of State website ($50 per member fee, with a minimum fee of $300 and a maximum fee of $3,000). After filling in some basic information about your LLC, you’ll be prompted to appoint a registered agent.
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization form ($50 per member fee, with a minimum fee of $300 and a maximum fee of $3,000), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested in Section 4.
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Tennessee
To change your Tennessee registered agent, you will need to fill out the Change of Registered Agent/Office form (Form SS-4534) and submit it to the Tennessee Business Services Division.
The filing fee for this is $20.
This can be done online, by mail, or in person:
Mail or In Person:
Tennessee Secretary of State
ATTN: Corporate Filing
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
You also may print out a form that’s pre-populated with some of your company’s information by using this online tool.
When electing your new registered agent, make sure to submit your new registered agent’s signed consent form, if applicable. This step may vary by state and depends on who you choose to be your registered agent.
For more information read our how to change registered agents in Tennessee guide.
Tennessee Registered Agent FAQs
Yes you can, although this is not recommended unless you are operating on an extremely tight budget.
This is because you can get a premium third-party service for as little as $10 per month.
See our Tennessee Registered Agent article for more information on everything you need to know.
Yes. All Tennessee LLCs are legally required to appoint an agent. This is because registered agents act as your business’s primary point of contact with the state (as well as with all other private entities).
Note: We recommend using a registered agent service when getting started.
This will depend on who your registered agent is.
If it is a third-party service, this will likely cost between $90 and $300 per year.
Having said that, you can choose to be your own agent instead ($0 per year).
For more information, we recommend having a look at our How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost article.
If you want to become your own agent, you will need to include your personal details in your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
This is the document that needs to be filed with the Tennessee Business Services Division in order for your LLC to be formed.