Forming a corporation in Tennessee

Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Tennessee, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Tennessee Department of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.

Here are some helpful facts about Tennessee's incorporation requirements:

Corporate Name Requirements

Tennessee requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any corporate, assumed corporate, not-for-profit, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other names reserved or registered with the Division of Business Services. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Tennessee's standards.

Permitted designations: Tennessee corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:

• Co.
• Company
• Corp.
• Corporation
• Inc.
• Incorporated

Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in Tennessee, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include:

• Bank
• Credit Union
• Mortgage
• Banc
• Trust
• Insurance

Filing Requirements

Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.

Required documents: The state of Tennessee requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State.

Location to file: Businesses must file their corporate documents in the same county where their principal office is located if their principal office address is in Tennessee.

Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Tennessee is 10-15 business days.

Follow-up filings: Not required.

Officers/Directors Information

Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors as well as a president and a secretary.

Director qualifications: The articles of incorporation may prescribe the qualifications for directors.

Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors' names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.

Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.

Principal office location

Tennessee permits a corporation's principal office to be located outside of the state.

Annual Reports

Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the Tennessee Department of State on or before the first day of the fourth month after the close of the corporation's fiscal year.

Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is 24 hours.

Signatures: Only the chair of the board, president or company officers are authorized to sign annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.

Filing extensions: Not permitted.