Registered agent required
Yes
Source: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, October 2026
Registered agent guide · Tennessee
Tennessee Registered Agents (2026): State Rules, Fees and the 3 Best Agents
For a registered agent in Tennessee in 2026, we recommend Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), TN Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Tennessee Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), in that order. Naming a registered agent is not optional in Tennessee. The yearly state bill is $300, ranking 44th of 50.
The Tennessee fee sheet
44th
on the 50-state list, yearly basis
Rankings begin with the smallest bill (equal totals). The whole table
Annual report
$300 / yr
The state sets the deadline as on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year. Source: sos.tn.gov, October 2026
State charges, per year
$300
Fees that recur, shown per year
Our Tennessee recommendations
The order follows five published criteria. They are set out on the methodology page.
1. Mainstay Filing: best for an agent wherever you register
$149 annually, no change at renewal
Why Mainstay Filing leads: a flat $149 per year, supplied by a company active in all fifty states.
Compared with TN Registered Agent.org, the three-year service bill is $150 higher, and more of the required filings are handled.
What the price buys
- A street address to serve as your registered office
- Anything served on the company is scanned and sent to you that business day, free of charge
- The first three letters from government agencies each year are scanned at no charge
- Also open to nonprofits, partnerships and corporations, not only LLCs
In its favor
- $149 yearly, the same at renewal
- Works in every state
Against it
- $50 extra a year compared with TN Registered Agent.org
- Reports are not filed under this plan
2. TN Registered Agent.org: best for a small flat agent fee
$99 annually, no change at renewal
TN Registered Agent.org comes next: a plan for Tennessee alone at $99 a year, with a renewal price of $99.
What the price buys
- A physical Tennessee location for the office
- You see scanned copies of whatever the agent receives
In its favor
- Its yearly price sits under Mainstay Filing's
- $99 a year, same on renewal
Against it
- Serves Tennessee alone
- Does not cover the annual report
3. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for another Tennessee choice
$99 annually, no change at renewal
Tennessee Registered Agent.co comes after that: a plan for Tennessee alone at $99 a year, with a renewal price of $99.
The two publish identical prices, TN Registered Agent.org and this service.
What the price buys
- A physical Tennessee location for the office
- You see scanned copies of whatever the agent receives
In its favor
- Its yearly price sits under Mainstay Filing's
- $99 a year, same on renewal
Against it
- Serves Tennessee alone
- Does not cover the annual report
3 services in one table
| No. | Service | Yearly price | Renews at | Service charges, three years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Prices as published on November 12, 2026. Tennessee's own charges do not depend on which agent you name.
Agent and state charges, by year
Each agent's price is combined with the state charges that repeat (the annual report from year two). Formation fees are not in the total.
Tennessee next to the states ranked around it
| Place | State | Yearly state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 43rd | North Carolina | $200 |
| 44th | Maryland | $300 |
| 44th | Tennessee | $300 |
| 46th | Nevada | $350 |
| 47th | Delaware | $400 |
The complete ranking applies one method to all fifty states.
Tennessee registered agent requirements (official, Secretary of State)
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.
Who may serve: A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address. Legal basis: Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-249-109.
The state charges that repeat
$300 every year for the annual report, by on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of the LLC's fiscal year. The state sends its letters about it to your registered agent's address.
Why Mainstay Filing is first
Mainstay Filing moved ahead of TN Registered Agent.org on paperwork the price takes on, a criterion weighted 26%.
TN Registered Agent.org charges less, though reach across states scored higher.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Tennessee LLC need a registered agent?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Who may act as the registered agent for Tennessee LLCs?
A Tennessee resident, or a business entity formed in Tennessee or authorized there with an office at the registered office street address.
What is the yearly price of registered agent service for Tennessee?
Among our picks the price is $99 to $149 a year.
What does the state itself charge an LLC each year?
About $300 a year by our yearly measure, which comes from the annual report ($300 every year).
Which registered agents are recommended on this page?
Mainstay Filing ($149 a year), TN Registered Agent.org ($99 a year) and Tennessee Registered Agent.co ($99 a year), ranked from best to last.
Which registered agent is the best choice?
We would pick Mainstay Filing ($149 a year with no increase at renewal, valid in every state), followed by TN Registered Agent.org and Tennessee Registered Agent.co.
Sources for this chapter
- Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services comes from tnbear.tn.gov; page opened August 2026
- Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services comes from sos.tn.gov; page opened August 2026
- Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source comes from sos.tn.gov; page opened October 2026
- Tennessee report due date comes from law.justia.com; page opened August 2026
- Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source comes from sos.tn.gov; page opened October 2026
- Tennessee registered agent statute comes from sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com; page opened October 2026
- North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State comes from sosnc.gov; page opened August 2026
- North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State comes from sosnc.gov; page opened August 2026
- Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation comes from dat.maryland.gov; page opened August 2026
- Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation comes from dat.maryland.gov; page opened August 2026
- Nevada yearly filing: Annual list + license: fees comes from nvsos.gov; page opened October 2026
- Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source comes from corp.delaware.gov; page opened October 2026
- Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source comes from corp.delaware.gov; page opened October 2026
- Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source comes from legis.delaware.gov; page opened October 2026
- The Tennessee service page for Mainstay Filing, as published November 12, 2026
- The pricing page for TN Registered Agent.org, as published November 12, 2026
- The pricing page for Tennessee Registered Agent.co, as published November 12, 2026