Does Tennessee require a registered agent?
If you’re planning to start or expand a business in Tennessee, you might wonder: Does Tennessee require a registered agent? The answer is yes. Tennessee law mandates that every corporation, LLC, and certain other entities maintain a registered agent in the state.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Legal Requirement: Tennessee requires all business entities to have a registered agent on file with the Secretary of State.
- Who Can Serve: Your registered agent can be:
- An individual Tennessee resident
- A business entity authorized to operate in Tennessee
- Physical Address: Registered agents must possess a bona fide street address located within Tennessee borders, and P.O. boxes are entirely unacceptable there.
- Availability: A registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept:
- Service of process (legal documents)
- Tax notices
- Official correspondence from the state
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failing to maintain a registered agent can result in:
- Loss of good standing status
- Administrative dissolution of your business
- Inability to defend legal actions in Tennessee courts
- Benefits of Professional Services: Many businesses choose professional registered agent services for:
- Privacy protection
- Compliance reminders
- Reliable document handling
So, does Tennessee require a registered agent? Absolutely. Partnering with a reputable outfit such as One IBC USA helps businesses remain by the book and safeguard their legal status in Tennessee effectively.
