Forming an LLC in Tennessee (2026): 7 Procedures and the 3 Best LLC Services
Tennessee Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and TN Registered Agent.org ($199) measured best, in that order, for forming an LLC in Tennessee in 2026. 7 procedures follow; the state's charge measures $300, and the annual report adds $300.
$300 a yearDate per the state: on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year
State fees, three years
$900Service fees excluded
Procedures
7One at a time
After reading you will know
The official Tennessee fee and form
The registered agent requirement
The recurring upkeep
The services we recommend
Best reading
Services that measured best in Tennessee
Five weighted criteria set the order (see how we measure); three-year cost and procedures performed count most.
Best reading
1. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for Tennessee LLCs with limited funds
$199 plus state fee, then $99/yr
Top of the Tennessee readings is Tennessee Registered Agent.co: the Tennessee formation measures $199 with the agent covered in year one, and the agent renewal reads $99.
A lower three-year total than Mainstay Filing gives it first place; cost counts 36%.
The price excludes the annual report, which the owner files every year.
2. Mainstay Filing: best for filing and upkeep on one invoice
$199 yearly, renewing at $199
Reading 2 belongs to Mainstay Filing, because observed cost is $199 a year for filing, registered agent service and the annual report, with no change at renewal ($199).
The three-year total is $200 above Tennessee Registered Agent.co's, and cost carries 36% of the reading.
The owner does not file the annual report; the $300 state fee is simply passed through.
What the price performs
The filing is performed for you
Registered agent for the full year
Annual report filed on schedule
No markup on the state fee
Measured strengths
The renewal price stays at $199
$199 per year for the full bundle
Measured limits
Its renewal is $100 higher than Tennessee Registered Agent.co's
3. TN Registered Agent.org: best for a low agent renewal
$199 plus state fee, then $99/yr
Reading 3 belongs to TN Registered Agent.org, because the Tennessee formation measures $199 with the agent covered in year one, and the agent renewal reads $99.
The price excludes the annual report, which the owner files every year.
It costs exactly what Tennessee Registered Agent.co costs.
Drawn from each company's pricing on November 13, 2026. Every row needs the $300 state fee added.
How a Tennessee LLC is formed
Procedure1
Procedure 1: Test the name for availability
Run the name search at the Tennessee Secretary of State before anything else.
TipCarry a second name into the search.
Procedure2
Procedure 2: Place a registered agent on record
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address.
The address has to be a Tennessee street address, with the county. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
TipEvery service measured on this sheet can act as the registered agent.
Without a service the whole bill is the state's $300. Each of the ranked services adds $199 and handles the paperwork.
Procedure4
Procedure 4: Submit the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company
The company comes into existence through the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (Form SS-4270), delivered to the Tennessee Secretary of State with $300.
Specimen: Specimen: sos.tn.gov, logged October 2026
Procedure5
Procedure 5: Obtain an EIN
Once approved, the LLC can receive a federal tax ID from the IRS, and the business bank account depends on it.
Procedure6
Procedure 6: Draft the operating agreement
Ownership and decision rules are written in the operating agreement, an internal document outside the Tennessee filing.
Procedure7
Procedure 7: Plan the second year
Tennessee requires the annual report every year, due on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year, fee $300.
Specimen: Specimen: sos.tn.gov, logged October 2026
What each procedure costs in Tennessee
Cost item
Recipient
Cost
Forming the LLC
Payable to the state
$300
Annual report
Payable to the state
$300 every year
Help from a service
The service
$199 at the outset
State fees, years one to three
Payable to the state
$900
The state's fees were read from official pages, which are listed below. Over three years they come to the filing, two reports and, in some states, a minimum tax.
How the readings worked out
Measured cost over three years accounts for 36% of the reading, and it is where pulled ahead in Tennessee.
Years one to three cost $397 with Tennessee Registered Agent.co, while Mainstay Filing costs $200 more.
Review questions on Tennessee
How large is the Tennessee state fee for a new LLC?
$300 goes to the state. Service fees among the ranked services run $199.
Which form creates the LLC?
The Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (Form SS-4270) is the instrument, and the Tennessee Secretary of State receives it.
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does Tennessee require each year?
Log the annual report: $300, every year, on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
Yes. The state takes $300 at filing, and the LLC must still name a registered agent.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
Tennessee Registered Agent.co, because a formation fee of $199 and an agent renewal of $99 a year. Next: Mainstay Filing and TN Registered Agent.org.
Notebook entry for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: the observations rest on tnbear.tn.gov, revisited in August 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
Notebook entry for Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services: the observations rest on sos.tn.gov, revisited in August 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
Notebook entry for Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: the observations rest on sos.tn.gov, revisited in October 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
Notebook entry for Tennessee report due date: the observations rest on law.justia.com, revisited in August 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
Notebook entry for Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the observations rest on sos.tn.gov, revisited in October 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
Notebook entry for Tennessee registered agent statute: the observations rest on sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, revisited in October 2026. Replicate the check by opening that page.
pricing page (Tennessee Registered Agent.co), observed November 13, 2026
Tennessee service page (Mainstay Filing), observed November 13, 2026
pricing page (TN Registered Agent.org), observed November 13, 2026