How to Form a Tennessee LLC: Filing Steps and Fees

A Tennessee LLC is created by filing Articles of Organization, official Form SS-4270, with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations (Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-202). You can e-file through the state's TNCaB portal at tncab.tnsos.gov, or submit the form by mail or walk-in. For the bigger picture, see our main formation guide.

Get one thing straight before you file: the Tennessee filing fee is not a flat number. The official SS-4270 instructions put it plainly: "The filing fee for Articles of Organization is $50.00 per member in existence on the date of the filing, with a minimum fee of $300.00 and a maximum fee of $3,000.00" (fee schedule at Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-1007). An LLC with one to six members pays the $300 minimum. Each member beyond six adds $50, up to the $3,000 cap.

What You Need Before Filing

• Your LLC name, verified as available
• Registered agent name and a Tennessee street address, including the county
• Principal office address
• The number of members in existence on the filing date (this sets your fee)
• Management type: member-managed or manager-managed
• Payment for the state fee ($300 minimum; card and e-check payments add a convenience fee)

Tennessee LLC Filing Steps

1. Search your name. Check the Secretary of State's records so your name is distinguishable from existing entities and carries a proper designator (LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company). Our name search guide covers the details.
2. Reserve the name if you are not filing yet (optional). Tennessee offers a name reservation filing through the Secretary of State if you want to lock the name in before you are ready.
3. Appoint a registered agent. The agent needs a Tennessee street address (county included); a PO box does not qualify. Requirements live in Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-109, covered on our registered agent page.
4. Complete Form SS-4270. Enter the LLC name, registered agent and registered office, principal office, duration, management structure, and the number of members on the filing date.
5. File and pay. E-file through TNCaB at tncab.tnsos.gov, or deliver the form by mail or walk-in. The fee is $50 per member, $300 minimum, $3,000 maximum. Card and e-check payments carry a convenience fee, so paying by mailed check avoids the surcharge.
6. Draft an operating agreement. Internal document, not filed with the state. See our operating agreement guide.
7. Get your EIN. Free from the IRS at irs.gov. Our EIN guide walks through it.
8. Handle post-filing setup. Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for franchise and excise tax, open a business bank account, and calendar the annual report, which uses the same per-member fee scale.

Want It Filed for You?

Our formation service is $199 plus the state fee. It includes your first year of registered agent service, then $99 per year after that.

Form Your Tennessee LLC

FAQ

Didn't Tennessee switch to a flat $300 fee in 2025?

No. Legislation to flatten the fee (SB 37) was withdrawn in January 2025 and never took effect. The current official Form SS-4270 and the Secretary of State's fee schedule still show $50 per member with a $300 minimum and $3,000 maximum. Any page claiming a flat fee took effect in July 2025 is repeating a bill that died.

How is the per-member fee counted?

By the number of members in existence on the date of filing. One to six members lands on the $300 minimum, ten members means $500, and the fee tops out at $3,000.

Can I file by mail instead of online?

Yes. Print Form SS-4270 and mail it with payment to the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations in Nashville, or hand-deliver it. Paying by check also sidesteps the card convenience fee that online payments carry.