Foreign LLC Registration in Tennessee (2026): 5 Moves and the 3 Best Services
If you are hiring for registering an LLC from another state in Tennessee in 2026, we rank Mainstay Filing ($199), TN Registered Agent.org ($199) and Tennessee Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. Budget $300 to the state and 5 moves of work.
Pulled from each company's pricing page on November 13, 2026. The $300 state fee is not in these figures.
The moves
Move 1
Is Tennessee registration needed?
LLCs from other states file a foreign registration to transact business in Tennessee. Operating unregistered costs you: A claim from an unregistered LLC will not go forward there (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(a)). Contracts already signed still stand (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(f)).
Attach certificate of existence or good standing, issued no earlier than 60 days.
Time it so the certificate is recent at filing.
Move 3
Get a registered agent with a Tennessee address
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.
Finish and lodge the Application for Certificate of Authority, Foreign Limited Liability Company
Prepare the Application for Certificate of Authority, Foreign Limited Liability Company (SS-4233), add $300, and deliver both to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations.
File the annual report for $300, first day of the fourth month after fiscal year end (April 1 for a calendar year) and the registration stays alive.
Costs, move by move
Item
Paid to
Price
Filing to register
State office
$300
Annual report
State office
$300
Paid help
Service
$199 up front
State fees, years one to three
State office
$900
State fees come from the official pages in the sources. Three years means the filing, two years of reports and the minimum tax where one applies.
How we ordered the Tennessee picks
edged out on to-dos the price takes off you, worth 38%.
With the LLC active in two states, reach settled the order.
Tennessee quick answers
What does Tennessee charge a foreign LLC?
$300 as the official fee. Our picks add $199.
Which form do I file to register?
Use the Application for Certificate of Authority, Foreign Limited Liability Company (SS-4233); the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations receives it.
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?
A claim from an unregistered LLC will not go forward there (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(a)). Contracts already signed still stand (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(f)).
What is due after registering?
Plan for the annual report, which costs $300.
Which service should handle the registration?
Our order: Mainstay Filing, TN Registered Agent.org and Tennessee Registered Agent.co. Mainstay Filing leads because $199 plus state fees to register, with the registered agent free for the first year.