Tennessee business search
Tennessee's official business search is Business Entity Search, run by the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services. It's free, and you can search by name or file number.
Search Tennessee recordsHow to check if a name is taken in Tennessee
- Type the main words of the name into the search. Leave off endings like LLC or Inc.
- Look for exact matches and close ones. States usually refuse a name that only differs by punctuation, spacing or the ending.
- If nothing close comes up, run a free trademark search. A state accepting your name doesn't give you the right to use it as a brand.
LLC name endings in Tennessee
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
Tennessee charges $300 to form an LLC and $100 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in Tennessee, or a Tennessee DBA if you only need a trade name.
Tennessee business search questions
Is the Tennessee business search free?
Yes. The Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services doesn't charge to search its records.
Does searching reserve a name in Tennessee?
No. A search only shows what's on record today. The name is yours once your filing is accepted, and most states also let you pay to hold a name for a set time.
Can I see who owns a Tennessee LLC?
The record shows what Tennessee requires a company to file, which is often its registered agent and sometimes its managers or members. Many states don't list owners at all.