Tennessee Business Entity Search
Find a registered business through Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services. Use the official link below, then check the search options and name rules for Tennessee.
Official website: tncab.tnsos.gov · Opens in a new tab
Tennessee search options and record coverage
Tennessee's business portal searches registered entities by name and control number and displays status, filing history, registered agent/office, and public documents. Business filings and annual reports are completed through the Tennessee Corporate and Business Services portal, with PDF forms and certificates available from the Secretary of State.
Checking a business name in Tennessee
Tennessee requires a name to be distinguishable under the applicable entity statute and offers a $20 duplicate/indistinguishable-name consent filing in some circumstances. Sound-alike names, punctuation, capitalization, spacing, and generic designators can remain confusingly similar; registry acceptance does not create trademark rights.
Tennessee name reservations
Tennessee Application for Name Reservation SS-9425 is $20, and cancellation/transfer of a reserved name is also $20. The reservation period and renewal mechanics are controlled by the current form and statute; a reservation does not clear trademarks or guarantee final filing acceptance.
DBA, trade names, and fictitious names
Tennessee assumed-name registration uses SS-4402 and costs $20; renewal, change, or cancellation forms generally cost $20. Start at https://sos.tn.gov/businesses/forms-and-fees. An assumed name is a public filing and does not create a separate liability shield.
What do you need after the search?
- Official proof of standing — find certificate fees and ordering instructions.
- A missed report or inactive registration — check deadlines and reinstatement rules.
- A new business registration — compare Tennessee formation and filing fees.