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Home/Secretary of State directory/Registered agent/Tennessee registered agent rules + how to change yours
Tennessee . Registered Agent

Tennessee registered agent rules + how to change yours.

Every Tennessee LLC, Corp, and LP must designate a registered agent. This guide explains who can serve, address requirements, and the $20 change process.

Get a Tennessee Registered Agent →

Tennessee registered agent requirements

  • Physical Tennessee address. P.O. Boxes are not accepted.
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Tennessee resident or authorized entity.
  • Acceptance of appointment.
  • Available during business hours.
Where this page sits

Up a level, or across to the neighbors.

Guide

Registered agent by state

The national explainer above this page: what changes between jurisdictions, and why.

Open the hub → Section

Secretary of State directory

Every filing the state business office takes, state by state.

Open the section → State

Tennessee business filings

Every filing a business makes in Tennessee, gathered on one page.

Open Tennessee → In Tennessee

Secretary of State dissolution in Tennessee

Secretary of State dissolution, state by state

Read the guide → In Tennessee

Secretary of State phone number in Tennessee

Secretary of State phone numbers, state by state

Read the guide → In Tennessee

Foreign Qualification in Tennessee

Foreign qualification, state by state

Read the guide → In Tennessee

Federal EIN in Tennessee

The federal EIN, state by state

Read the guide →
Required service

Tennessee Registered Agent: at a glance.

Every entity registered in the state must maintain a registered agent with a physical address.

Filing details

How Tennessee handles Registered Agent.

Tennessee Business SearchLook up any Tennessee entity and read every status right.
Where to fileSecretary of State office, online portal, or by mail with the required fee.
TurnaroundStandard processing: 5-10 business days. Expedited service available for an additional state fee.
Required informationEntity name + ID, current officers and registered agent, principal office address.
Common pitfallsMismatched officer addresses, expired registered agent, missed prior reports causing administrative dissolution.
Frequently asked

Tennessee Registered Agent questions.

What is a registered agent at the Tennessee Secretary of State?

It is the person or company you designate on your Tennessee filing to receive legal and state notices for the entity, and Tennessee requires every LLC and corporation to name and maintain one with a physical in-state address. Without a valid agent, Tennessee can refuse filings or revoke your standing. We serve as your Tennessee agent and keep the SOS record current.

Can I be my own registered agent in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee lets you act as your own agent if you have a physical address in the state and are available during business hours, but your address becomes public and you risk missing a lawsuit if you are out. Most owners use a service for privacy and reliability. We explain the Tennessee trade-offs and can take the role so nothing is missed.

What happens if my Tennessee registered agent resigns or lapses?

It is one of the most common causes of losing good standing: if Tennessee has no valid agent on record, it stops reaching you and can move the entity toward administrative dissolution. You must name a replacement promptly. We provide continuous Tennessee agent service and update the Secretary of State record so there is never a gap. Link reinstatement.

How do I change my registered agent with the Tennessee Secretary of State?

You file a change-of-agent form with the Tennessee SOS naming the new agent and their address, and the change takes effect when accepted. It is a simple filing but easy to forget when you switch providers. We handle the Tennessee change filing so your record stays accurate and notices keep reaching you. Link change-registered-agent.

Can one agent cover my LLC in multiple states?

Not with a single registration: each state requires an agent physically located there, so an entity registered in several states needs an agent in each. A national provider can cover them all under one account. We coordinate Tennessee and any other-state agent coverage so every jurisdiction where you are registered has a valid agent. Link foreign-qualification.

Do I need a registered agent before I file with Tennessee?

Yes, you must name the agent on the formation document itself, so the agent has to be lined up before you file with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Filing without one gets rejected. We put the Tennessee agent in place as part of forming or registering your entity so the filing goes through the first time. Link form-an-llc.

Does File.Business provide registered agent service in Tennessee?

Yes. We act as your registered agent in Tennessee, keep the Secretary of State record current, scan and forward service of process and state mail the same day, and track the compliance deadlines those notices carry, so the role is handled rather than left to a home address and a hope.

Related

Related services

Tennessee Secretary of StateOverview, contact, full filing index. Annual reportDue dates, fees, and how to file. Registered agentRequirements and renewal. Compliance calendarEvery deadline that touches your entity.

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