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Tennessee LLC formation
Start your Tennessee LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your Tennessee Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus Tennessee's state filing fee, passed through at cost. Tennessee charges per member, starting at $300, plus a $10 state processing fee, so a one member LLC totals $409. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
Tennessee LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Tennessee is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is instant to 1 business day. Tennessee does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- from $300
- State processing fee (paid to the state)
- $10
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- from $409
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- Instant to 1 business day
- Filing office
- Tennessee Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $20
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $20
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Tennessee. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies, Good Standing certificates and state rush filing are optional and charged at checkout at the state's cost with no service fee.
Official Tennessee fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in Tennessee with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Tennessee LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, a Tennessee registered agent, and your business address. Tennessee filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Tennessee's state fee at cost (per member in Tennessee). No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Tennessee Secretary of State. When Tennessee approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Articles of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Tennessee LLC is approved
Tennessee LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State by the first day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (April 1 for calendar year LLCs): $50 per member, minimum $300, maximum $3,000. The state filing fee works the same way, which is why Tennessee's formation fee starts at $300.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a Tennessee address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Articles of Organization usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Articles of Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing a Tennessee LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus Tennessee's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your Tennessee LLC is formed
Tennessee LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State by the first day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (April 1 for calendar year LLCs): $50 per member, minimum $300, maximum $3,000. The state filing fee works the same way, which is why Tennessee's formation fee starts at $300. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Tennessee LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
Tennessee LLC name rules
A Tennessee LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC” or “L.L.C.”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $20 (good for 4 months). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Tennessee registered agent
The registered agent can be a person or an organization. The articles must give the agent's complete address and email, and the registered office must be in Tennessee.
On our order form you name your registered agent and their Tennessee street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Tennessee, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Tennessee LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Tennessee, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for Tennessee state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Tennessee LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | from $300 |
|---|---|
| State processing fee | $10 |
| Yearly report or tax (1st day of the 4th month after your fiscal year ends) | $50 per member ($300 minimum, $3,000 maximum) |
| Name reservation (optional) | $20 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Secretary of State) | $20 |
| Registered agent | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Other Tennessee rules to know
Tennessee's filing fee and annual report fee are both $50 per member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum.
Checked on official Tennessee sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, name reservation, trade name, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Tennessee LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges its LLC filing fee per member, starting at $300, plus a $10 state processing fee. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so a one member LLC totals $409. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The exact state fee is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Tennessee?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Tennessee Secretary of State. Typical approval for a standard online filing is instant to 1 business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Tennessee LLC?
Tennessee does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
Does a Tennessee LLC have to file an annual report?
Tennessee LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State by the first day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (April 1 for calendar year LLCs): $50 per member, minimum $300, maximum $3,000. The state filing fee works the same way, which is why Tennessee's formation fee starts at $300. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Tennessee formation document called?
In Tennessee the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State. We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes, like almost every state, Tennessee requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have a Tennessee address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does a Tennessee LLC name need to include?
A Tennessee LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC" or "L.L.C.", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in Tennessee?
The registered agent can be a person or an organization. The articles must give the agent's complete address and email, and the registered office must be in Tennessee.
How do I get an EIN for my Tennessee LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your Tennessee state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: Tennessee filing requirements