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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Tennessee

Tennessee calls it the Certificate of Existence and charges $20. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Existence
State fee
$20
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Online: immediate PDF download. Mail: 2 business days or less after receipt
Issuing office
Tennessee SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Tennessee SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the Tennessee portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $20 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for Tennessee

Tennessee calls this document the Certificate of Existence. Order online through TNBear (Tennessee Business Entity Access Regulation) or by mail using Form SS-4238. Also known as Certificate of Good Standing. The new TNCaB portal is used for annual reports.

Processing and expedited tiers: Online: immediate PDF download. Mail: 2 business days or less after receipt

Important to know about Tennessee

  • The TN LLC annual report fee starts at $300 (with $50 per member over 6, capped at $3,000) and is one of the highest in the country. Must be current - due by the first day of the fourth month after the LLC fiscal year ends.
  • Online orders add a small credit-card service charge on top of the $20 fee. Mail with a check avoids this surcharge but adds a few days.
  • Tennessee does not offer expedited service for the Certificate of Existence; online delivery is already immediate.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your Tennessee LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

Tennessee foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Tennessee Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Tennessee SOS before ordering.