Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Tennessee's official Secretary of State business entity database (Tennessee Secretary of State Business Entity Search (sos.tn.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Tennessee. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Tennessee Business Database
Direct link to Tennessee Secretary of State Business Entity Search - Free Tennessee business search
How to Search Tennessee Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Tennessee SOS Business Entity Search
Navigate to the official Tennessee Secretary of State business entity search portal at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses. You can also access the Business Entity Search directly. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Tennessee business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common) or by Control Number (the unique identifier assigned by the Secretary of State). The business entity search allows you to search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities. You can optionally filter results to display only active entities by selecting the appropriate checkbox.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name (full or partial) or Control Number in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Tennessee's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching. Use the active entities filter if you only want to see currently active businesses.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the Control Number, Entity Type, Status, and Formation Date. Tennessee's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity. Click on the 'Details' button next to the desired entity to access comprehensive information.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view provides comprehensive information including Entity Name, Entity Type, Status, Formation State, Control Number, Registered Agent Information, Principal Office Address, and Filing History. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching. You can also order copies and certificates through the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Step 6: Verify Business Status and Control Number
Check that the business status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', 'Merged', 'Withdrawn', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings and annual reports. Note the Control Number for future reference. Tennessee requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official Tennessee Business Database
The Tennessee Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Tennessee Secretary of State Business Entity Search (sos.tn.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Tennessee.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Tennessee
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Tennessee?
To search for a Tennessee business, visit the official Tennessee Secretary of State business entity search portal at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses. You can search by business name (full or partial) or by Control Number. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in Tennessee. You can optionally filter results to show only active entities.
What is the official Tennessee Secretary of State business search website?
The official Tennessee Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Tennessee, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Tennessee SOS business database?
The Tennessee SOS database provides Control Number, Entity Type, Status, Formation Date, Entity Name, Formation State, Registered Agent Information, Principal Office Address, and Filing History. You can also order copies and certificates through the Tennessee Secretary of State for official business documents.
Is the Tennessee business search free?
Yes, the Tennessee Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses provides free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Tennessee business is legitimate?
To verify a Tennessee business, search the SOS database for the business name or Control Number, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review the Control Number and Formation Date, check the filing history, use the active entities filter to ensure the business is currently active, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Tennessee Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Tennessee businesses by Control Number?
Yes, the Tennessee SOS database allows you to search by Control Number, which is the unique identifier assigned by the Tennessee Secretary of State to each business entity. You can also search by business name (full or partial). The Control Number is useful for finding specific businesses when you have the exact number.
What types of business entities are registered in Tennessee?
Tennessee registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Tennessee. All of these can be searched through the official database at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses.
How do I check if a business name is available in Tennessee?
To check if a business name is available in Tennessee, use the official business entity search at sos.tn.gov/search or sos.tn.gov/businesses. Search for the exact name you want to use (try full and partial searches). If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Tennessee Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. Tennessee requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is a Control Number in Tennessee?
A Control Number is the unique identifier assigned by the Tennessee Secretary of State to each business entity registered in the state. This number is used for official filings, searches, and record-keeping. You can search for businesses using their Control Number in the SOS database. The Control Number appears in search results and detailed entity information.
How often do Tennessee businesses need to file annual reports?
Tennessee requires most business entities to file annual reports to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file annual reports with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Check the entity's detailed information in the database to see filing history and status. Late filings may result in penalties or administrative dissolution.
Can I filter Tennessee business search results to show only active entities?
Yes, the Tennessee business entity search allows you to filter results to display only active entities by selecting the appropriate checkbox. This is useful when you want to see only businesses that are currently in good standing and active, excluding inactive, dissolved, or revoked entities.
What is the Formation State in Tennessee business search results?
The Formation State in Tennessee business search results indicates the state where the business entity was originally formed. For domestic Tennessee entities, this will be Tennessee. For foreign entities (out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Tennessee), this will show the state where they were originally formed.
About Tennessee Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Tennessee SOS Business Search?
The Tennessee Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Tennessee. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in TN.
When you search "secretary of state tn business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Tennessee businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Tennessee SOS Database?
The official Tennessee Secretary of State database (Tennessee Secretary of State Business Entity Search (sos.tn.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Tennessee. Always verify business entities through the official TN SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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