Tennessee is a great state to set up your business. It’s one of the best business environments in the US. If you plan on setting up a business in the State of Tennessee, one of the foremost requirements of the state government is having a registered agent.
What is a Registered Agent?
A registered agent can be a business or an individual appointed to receive legal documents for your company. These legal documents include tax notices, subpoenas, lawsuits, and others.
All companies doing business in the state of Tennessee must have a registered agent to ensure tracking of all legal mail sent within the state. To become a registered agent in the state of Tennessee, you must meet the following requirements:
You must
- Be able to receive mail during business hours at an office
- Be present to receive the legal mail intended for the business you represent
- Have a physical address within Tennessee. Note that making use of a P.O Box is not allowed.
Registered Agent in Tennessee, who can work as one?
A person must meet certain requirements before he/she can work as a registered agent in Tennessee. These requirements are made by the Secretary of the State of Tennessee.
- A registered agent can be an employee of the company or third parties such as lawyers and registered agent service companies that is a resident or an organization that is located in Tennessee and has a valid street address in Tennessee. Corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) cannot be their registered agents. However, if you are a resident and of legal age (more than 18) in Tennessee, you are allowed to register as your business’s registered agent in a case whereby you have a start-up business or you are a small business entrepreneur.
- If you are a business owner based outside Tennessee, you must first have the authorization to do business.
Changing your Registered Agent in Tennessee
If you have decided to shift to another agency or entity to represent your company in Tennessee, maybe because your previous registered agent moved out of the state, no longer wants the responsibility, or he left your company for another. Changing registered agents is easy, all you need to do is follow the following steps, as outlined by the Secretary of the State of Tennessee:
- File the Registered Agent Change through the State of Tennessee Online Services webpage. You can also choose to complete the process through non-electronic means by downloading the form and printing it on paper.
- You’ll be required to input the Tennessee Secretary of State Control Number.
The form must be correctly filled as it is expected of you to prevent difficulties in the process. There’s a fee of 20 dollars (with an additional 2.50 dollar service charge) that must be paid for the document to be processed. The payment can be made through a Money order, a Check, or a Credit Card. The check should be made payable to the “Tennessee Secretary of State”.
If you’re submitting through the mail, the document and the check should be mailed to the address:
Tennessee Secretary of State
ATTN: Corporate Filing
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave FL 6
Nashville TN 37243.
You can also drop off the document and the payment in person at the same address as above.
You have to know that you cannot change your registered agent in the State of Tennessee by just making changes to your annual reports or your Articles of Organization. You can only follow the process explained above.
Should I Get a Professional Registered Agent Service Company?
Getting a professional registered agent company can reduce a lot of effort and time for any business owner. There are numerous benefits to it whether you are an established company or a small business owner. Some of these benefits are:
- Making use of their address instead of your home address, especially if you don’t have an office yet. This detail will be included in public records.
- Registered Agent processes paperwork for you
- Notify you immediately if you receive any new legal mail
- Notify you of mandatory filing of Tennessee annual reports
- Help you to avoid penalties for delayed filings
- Assist you with forms and instructions needed to set up your business
- If you operate a small business out of state, they fill in as your local contact in the state.
Several agencies offer registered agent services in Tennessee. However, you have to be careful in finding a trustworthy agent to handle your business.
Advantages of Using a Tennessee Business Address vs. Personal Address
- A business address minimizes exposure of your home address as public information
- Some city municipalities may not allow using home addresses as business offices
- Using your personal address can probably link you to business liabilities
- Using a business address can help you separate business and personal transactions
Conclusion
Having a registered agent is your gateway to setting up a business in the state of Tennessee. Doing it yourself is possible, but it can eat up a lot of your time, money, and energy. It is better to get a registered agent service and use the resources to build your business instead. Let them help you do business hassle-free in Tennessee.
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