Class 3 · Tennessee
Foreign LLC Registration Class, Tennessee (2026): 5 Assignments and the 3 Best Services
The quick version
By the end you will know
- When an LLC from elsewhere must register in Tennessee
- The official form and fee
- Staying in good standing
- How the picks stack up
If you want someone else to file
1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies adding a second state
We start with Mainstay Filing; registering costs $199 plus state fees, and year one of the registered agent costs nothing.
Three years here run $100 higher than at TN Registered Agent.org, with more of the work done in return.
From year two you pay $149 a year for the agent, wherever you register.
Covered by the tuition
- Filing made with the state
- The registered agent costs nothing in year one
- Any state, one price
Strengths
- First year of the agent is included
- $199 above the state fee
- Ready for the next state too
Weak spots
- TN Registered Agent.org charges $50 less for the agent
2. TN Registered Agent.org: best for one extra state
Second place goes to TN Registered Agent.org, since registration costs $199 plus state fees, and the first agent year is already paid.
Covered by the tuition
- Registration paperwork handled
- One year of agent service is part of the price
Strengths
- $99 yearly from year two
- Agent covered in year one
- $199 to register
Weak spots
- No help in other states
3. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for registering only in Tennessee
Third place goes to Tennessee Registered Agent.co, since registration costs $199 plus state fees, and the first agent year is already paid.
TN Registered Agent.org and this service cost the same.
Covered by the tuition
- Registration paperwork handled
- One year of agent service is part of the price
Strengths
- Agent covered in year one
- $99 yearly from year two
- $199 to register
Weak spots
- No help in other states
Grades and prices together
| # | Service | First year | From year two | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $149/yr | $497 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | TN Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit TN Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Tennessee Registered Agent.co | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Tennessee Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Registering with Tennessee, assignment by assignment
-
Assignment
1See if your LLC must register in Tennessee
Any out-of-state LLC doing business in Tennessee registers first as a foreign LLC. Skipping registration has a price: Its own lawsuits have to wait until it registers (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(a)). Its contracts can still be enforced (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(f)).
Textbook page: Source for this: publications.tnsosfiles.com, October 2026
-
Assignment
2Ask your home state for proof of good standing
Enclose certificate of existence or good standing, issued no more than 60 days.
Request it close to the date you plan to file.
-
Assignment
3Name a registered agent for Tennessee
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. The address has to be a Tennessee street address, with the county. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Each of the graded services serves as the registered agent.
Textbook page: Source for this: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, October 2026
-
Assignment
4Put together and mail the Application for Certificate of Authority, Foreign Limited Liability Company
The form and the $300 fee go to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations together.
Textbook page: Source for this: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, October 2026
-
Assignment
5Stay registered
Once registered, a foreign LLC sends in the annual report ($300), first day of the fourth month after fiscal year end (April 1 for a calendar year).
What this class costs
| Item | Paid to | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The registration assignment | Goes to the state | $300 |
| Annual report | Goes to the state | $300 |
| Optional service | The service | $199 for year one |
| State fees for the first three years | Goes to the state | $900 |
How we graded the Tennessee picks
Homework the price does makes up 34% of the grade, and that is where got ahead in Tennessee.
TN Registered Agent.org renews for less, yet reaching several states counted for more.
Short answers
Which fees does Tennessee take from a foreign LLC?
$300 as the official fee. A service adds $199.
Which form do I file to register?
The Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations takes this form from foreign LLCs.
Do I need a certificate from my home state?
Yes: certificate of existence or good standing, issued within 60 days of filing.
What if the LLC does business there without registering?
Its own lawsuits have to wait until it registers (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(a)). Its contracts can still be enforced (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(f)).
What is due after registering?
The annual report keeps the registration alive, at $300.
Which service should handle the registration?
Mainstay Filing gets the top grade and TN Registered Agent.org and Tennessee Registered Agent.co follow; Mainstay Filing wins on homework the price does.
Textbook pages and extra reading
- Study tip for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: everything above comes from tnbear.tn.gov, which we reread in August 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: everything above comes from sos.tn.gov, which we reread in August 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: everything above comes from sos.tn.gov, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee report due date: everything above comes from law.justia.com, which we reread in August 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source: everything above comes from sos.tn.gov, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee registered agent statute: everything above comes from sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority for a foreign: everything above comes from sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation: everything above comes from sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public Chapter 286: everything above comes from publications.tnsosfiles.com, which we reread in October 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Study tip for Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act, foreign LLC: everything above comes from capitol.tn.gov, which we reread in November 2026. Open it and follow along.
- Tuition figures from Mainstay Filing (Tennessee service page), November 13, 2026
- Tuition figures from TN Registered Agent.org (pricing page), November 13, 2026
- Tuition figures from Tennessee Registered Agent.co (pricing page), November 13, 2026