Tennessee business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the Tennessee Secretary of State business search portal. This online database provides access to the details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.
This article will walk you through exactly how to search the Tennessee database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Tennessee's system.
| Information Required | Where to Find It | What It Looks Like | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity Name | Tennessee business search results | "Music City Ventures, LLC" | Use the exact legal name as registered |
| Entity Type | Business entity details page | LLC, Corporation, LP, LLP, etc. | Must match Tennessee designation |
| Entity Number | Certificate or details page | 001234567 | Also called: Control Number |
| Formation Date | Certificate or details page | MM/DD/YYYY | Date filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State |
Navigate to the Tennessee Business Search portal and enter your business name in the search field. Tennessee's system supports partial matches, so searching "Music City" will return "Music City Ventures, LLC" and similar entities.
However, using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results. You can filter results to show only active entities by selecting the appropriate checkbox, which helps narrow results when dealing with common business names.
Click the entity name in the search results to view complete details, including your control number, formation date, registered agent information, filing history, and annual report status.
Tennessee's detailed records include principal address, mailing address, officer information, and any assumed names (DBAs) associated with the entity.
Your Tennessee entity number, officially called your "Control Number," is eight or nine digits and was assigned by the Tennessee Secretary of State when your entity was formed.
1. Tennessee business search (fastest method)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
3. Annual reports and state correspondence
Tennessee recognizes several primary business entity types, such as 'LLC,' 'Corporation,' 'LP,' 'LLP,' 'PLLC,' 'PC,' and 'Nonprofit Corporation,' as reflected in many business search results and formation documents, though additional entity types and variations may also be recognized.
1. Tennessee business search (most accessible)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
Your formation date (when the Tennessee Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Tennessee business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization.
1. Tennessee business search (easiest access)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
3. Annual report confirmations
Tennessee's formation date and effective date are typically the same unless a delayed effective date is specified.
The state allows business entities to choose a delayed effective date up to 90 days after the filing, so the date your entity was filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State usually serves as both formation and effective date unless a future date is chosen.
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