Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
The Tennessee Secretary of State online business search database is an excellent resource for locating information on businesses in the state. The Secretary of State of Tennessee, in addition to being the issuance authority for corporations and business entities, manages a corporation register that contains details of every corporate entity formed in the state. All the filing and authorization data of the state’s domiciled entities are kept in the same register.
| Official Website: | https://tnbear.tn.gov/ecommerce/default.aspx |
| Address: | Division of Business Services, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243 |
| Telephone: | 1(615)741-2286 |
| mailto:business.services@tn.gov |
Tennessee Business Search Shortcut
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How To Lookup An Entity In Tennessee
To begin your search, you’ll need either the name of the entity or its control number.
Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search by Name
- To search for registered business entities in Tennessee, go to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website and use the search page.
- Fill up the upper field with your company’s name. When it comes to search parameters, you’ll be able to choose between Starts With and Contains.
- You may also limit the search results to only active entities if you like. Fill in the picture text in the relevant area before clicking Search.
- On the next page, a list of names will emerge that includes all entities with names that are similar to the one provided in the previous stage.
- Navigate through the listings until you find the entity you want to learn more about. Click the control number to see the company’s details.
- After that, you’ll be given access to all publicly available information. The filing history, registered agent information, and structural information included in the initial registration paperwork will all be revealed. A Certificate of Existence will also be available for purchase.
Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search by Control Number
Searching by control number, the search results will be narrowed down to only one entity.
- To get started, go to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s webpage
- Enter the control number into the relevant form. You may limit your search to only active entities if you like.
- Ensure you type the picture text into the last field before tapping Search.
- If the number is entered correctly, it should return a single search result.
- On this first page, just a few bits of information will be presented, but by clicking the control number in the left column, you will be able to access more.
- Finally, you’ll see the entity’s name, history, registered agent information, and all other business records that the Secretary of State has made accessible.
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Steps To Forming A New Corporation In Tennessee
1. Choose a name
You must follow Tennessee company naming requirements when naming your corporation. The name of your corporation must be distinct from that of other corporate names that are currently on record with the Tennessee Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
By checking the Tennessee business name database, names may be examined for availability. By submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Tennessee Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services, you can reserve a name for six months.
2. Nominate directors
The board of directors of a corporation is in charge of overseeing the company’s activities. As a result, you’ll need to do that to get started. A company’s first board of directors is frequently chosen by the incorporators. Following that, the board is picked by the shareholders every year. A director or shareholder may be an incorporator.
3. Select a Tennessee registered agent
A registered agent is an individual or organization who accepts service of process and receives information on behalf of a corporation. If a company is sued, this person or business consents to take court documents on the company’s behalf. An entity with a certificate of power to conduct business in Tennessee such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Tennessee resident, a Tennessee company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
4. Submit the Tennessee Corporate Charter
Tennessee business requires you to submit Tennessee corporate charter. The state registers and creates your business when you file the charter.
5. Establish corporation bylaws
The fundamental guidelines for running your organization are outlined in the bylaws, which are internal corporate documents. They are not reported to the government. Corporate bylaws are not legally needed for your company, but you should nonetheless adopt them since they define how your company will operate and demonstrate to lenders, creditors, the IRS, and other parties that your company is genuine.
6. Apply for any relevant permissions or licenses for your business
Take time to investigate any necessary permissions or licenses to maintain your new firm on the legal straight and narrow. Depending on the type of company services you offer, the county or city where your firm is situated, and if you employ people, different permissions and licenses may be required.
7. Apply for an EIN and understand your tax obligations
Note that corporate taxes must be paid separately from shareholder profits taxes. Federal and state governments require the proper returns to be filed annually in order to do this.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search
When do I need a tax clearance certificate?
To get a certificate of existence, reinstate, terminate, or cancel an entity in Tennessee, tax clearances are necessary.
How can I register a foreign corporation in Tennessee?
If your corporation was created in another state, you can file a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Tennessee online or on paper. Paper filing is required for foreign limited liability partnerships and foreign limited partnerships.
When submitting a charter, how many shares are required?
One is the minimum needed. The maximum number of shares that can be issued is unlimited.
What are authorized shares?
Authorized shares are the number of shares of stock that the corporation is allowed to issue under its charter.
What are bylaws?
Bylaws describe the requirements and constraints that the corporation must follow in performing its business and are the rules or standards by which the corporation is operated.