Class 2 · Tennessee
Registered Agent in Tennessee (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents
Before you begin
In this lesson
- What the law says
- Who may act as agent
- Recording the agent
- Our graded agent picks
The Tennessee services we recommend
1. Mainstay Filing: best for LLCs that may grow into other states
We would start a new founder with Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, renewing at $149, with the same plan working in every other state.
TN Registered Agent.org is $150 less across three years; handling more of the lesson's steps earns this one the higher mark.
What the price covers
- A Tennessee street address for the record
- A same-business-day scan of each served paper comes at no charge
- Government mail scanned free, three pieces a year
- Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs
Marks in its favor
- Covers all fifty states
- Annual price $149, renewal price $149
Where it loses points
- More expensive by $50 a year
- Reports are not filed on this plan
2. TN Registered Agent.org: best for founders on a budget
Next on the report card comes TN Registered Agent.org, graded second: a street address in Tennessee for your registered office, at $99 a year.
What the price covers
- A Tennessee street address
- Served documents posted online
Marks in its favor
- Cheaper by the year than Mainstay Filing
- $99 a year, the same at renewal
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
- No help with the annual report
3. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for a local alternative
Next on the report card comes Tennessee Registered Agent.co, graded third: a street address in Tennessee for your registered office, at $99 a year.
TN Registered Agent.org and this service charge the same.
What the price covers
- A Tennessee street address
- Served documents posted online
Marks in its favor
- Cheaper by the year than Mainstay Filing
- $99 a year, the same at renewal
Where it loses points
- No help in other states
- No help with the annual report
Our Tennessee picks side by side
| # | Service | Annual price | Renewal price | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | TN Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit TN Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Tennessee Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Tennessee Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
How to set up your Tennessee agent
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Step
1Understand the requirement
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Where this comes from: The official page is sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, last confirmed in October 2026
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Step
2Find out who can serve
A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address. Authority: Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-109.
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Step
3Check the registered office address rule
The address has to be a Tennessee street address, with the county. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Every pick on our list provides the Tennessee office address.
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Step
4Decide: serve yourself or hire someone
Qualified owners may act as their own agent. Otherwise our graded picks charge $99 to $149 per year.
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Step
5Get the agent on record
New companies list the agent on the Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (Form SS-4270); changing agents later means filing with the Tennessee Secretary of State again.
Where this comes from: The official page is sos.tn.gov, last confirmed in October 2026
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Step
6Stay current every year
Tennessee sees your agent's details through the annual report ($300, every year, due on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year), and the state's letters about it go to your registered agent.
Where this comes from: The official page is sos.tn.gov, last confirmed in October 2026
The cost of this lesson
| Line | Who you pay | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hiring an agent | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Renewing the agent | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Annual report | To the state | $300 every year |
How the grade worked out
won on homework the price handles (33% of the grade), with right behind.
TN Registered Agent.org costs less, but coverage across states earned the higher grade.
Short answers
Does Tennessee require a registered agent?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Often you can. Check yourself against the two rules in steps 2 and 3 of the lesson.
Can I change my registered agent later?
A change is allowed whenever you like, through the Tennessee Secretary of State, as described in step 5.
What does a registered agent cost in Tennessee?
$99 to $149 a year among our graded agents.
What does the LLC pay the state each year?
Mainly the annual report, $300 every year.
Which registered agent would you choose?
By grade: Mainstay Filing, TN Registered Agent.org and Tennessee Registered Agent.co. Mainstay Filing is first because an agent at $149 a year who can come along when the company adds a state.
Class references
- Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services is covered in the official page at tnbear.tn.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services is covered in the official page at sos.tn.gov; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source is covered in the official page at sos.tn.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Tennessee report due date is covered in the official page at law.justia.com; our notes follow it as of August 2026.
- Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source is covered in the official page at sos.tn.gov; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Tennessee registered agent statute is covered in the official page at sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com; our notes follow it as of October 2026.
- Prices taken from the Tennessee service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the pricing page of TN Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026
- Prices taken from the pricing page of Tennessee Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026