Short answer: File Foreign Registration with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, and name a Tennessee registered agent.
We've pulled these figures from the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
Registering an out-of-state LLC in Tennessee
File Foreign Registration with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations. You'll usually need a certificate of good standing from your home state and a Tennessee registered agent.
Physical address in Tennessee is required (no PO boxes).
How Tennessee compares
We haven't confirmed Tennessee's foreign LLC registration fee with the state yet. The national median among the 47 jurisdictions we track is $150.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | Varies | Not confirmed |
| Arkansas | $300 | 6 of 47 |
| Kentucky | $90 | 42 of 47 |
| Mississippi | $250 | 9 of 47 |
| North Carolina | $250 | 9 of 47 |
| Alabama | $150 | 19 of 47 |
Tennessee fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | $300 | annual, First day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year (April 1 for calendar-year LLCs). |
Foreign LLC registration: Tennessee questions
Do I need to register my out-of-state LLC in Tennessee?
If your LLC is "transacting business" in Tennessee (for example, an office, employees or ongoing operations there), you generally must register as a foreign LLC with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations.
How much does foreign LLC registration cost in Tennessee?
We are confirming this fee with the state.
Does a foreign LLC need a registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes. Every registered LLC needs an agent with a physical address in Tennessee. Physical address in Tennessee is required (no PO boxes).
Does a foreign LLC file the Tennessee annual report too?
Generally yes. Registered foreign LLCs usually carry the same Annual Report obligation. Confirm the foreign LLC fee with the state.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name reservation.duration, ra.self allowed, report.late penalty, foreign.fee.