The Tennessee Secretary of State forms, such as the Articles of Organization, are documents that a business owner files to the State when creating an LLC. After sending them, there is a waiting period for them to be returned with approval, authorizing the Limited Liability Company (LLC) to conduct business in Tennessee. 

What You Should Know About Limited Liability Companies 

An LLC is a hybrid business design that brings together the constructs of both partnerships and corporations. One of the main benefits of this setup for a business entity is the legal protection for the business assets. There is security for possessions in a circumstance when someone sues the company and the LLC needs a defense for litigation. 

If you are thinking of starting a limited liability company, as a business owner, there are a few points of interest you should consider and carry out. 

  • Think about what business idea best suits your path and venture.  
  • Be analytical and draw on critical-thinking techniques to develop a business strategy.   
  • The most common approach to building a business is to form an LLC, so officially organize your business so that it becomes a company.   
  • Once formed, your primary responsibilities will then come down to the following:   
    • Attain any relevant business permits and licenses. 
    • Get a state Tax ID number. 
    • Open up a bank account in the business name. 
    • Create a company website. 
    • Work on establishing your brand.   

Come Up With a Name for Your LLC 

Picking out a distinguishable name for your business is not only the very first step to take during the startup of your LLC, but it is also the most significant. You want to make sure the name you choose is suitable for the business path you are traveling. The need for a distinguishable company name is to make it identifiable as a business entity separate from the other businesses on record already with the Tennessee Secretary of State. 

To be resourceful, you can use the state's business name database and verify the availability of the name you want. If by searching through the Tennessee Secretary of State collection of filed names you discover your desired company identity is not in use, you can reserve it temporarily. The state allows business owners a four-month period to hold a name. 

Seek a reservation by filing one of the Tennessee Secretary of State forms, Form ss-4228 or Application for Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name. You can only apply by using the postal mail. Be sure to include a payment of $20 for the processing fee. 

If the desired name is available, you can then reserve a domain name for your website, to secure a part of your online presence. It will keep your LLC searchable and easy to find. Even if you are not ready to build a site and get hosting, having the domain held for you prevents others from taking it. 

Another essential Tennessee Secretary of State document is Form ss-4270 or Articles of Organization. It is a straightforward and uncomplicated document to file. The information it contains is elementary. The following is what you must include on the form: 

  • LLC name
  • Address
  • Registered agent's name and address
  • Management choice for the LLC as either member-managed or manager-managed
  • LLC Duration, unless the length of time is perpetual 

You can file the Articles of Organization either by using postal mail or submitting an electronic form online by visiting the State's website. If you elect to send the document through the mail, you can enter all the details on the website and print the pages out for mailing. Whether you plan to file your articles online and send them electronically, or you want to mail the paper documents, you need to include a small fee for convenience and filing. 

After the State review and processing of the articles, the State will either contact the business owner about any areas of the documents, filing corrections, or to grant the business approval. The State will return an approved and stamped copy of the Articles of Organization, as well as the State's Acknowledgment Letter. The letter is confirmation that the LLC is a legitimately formed business in Tennessee.  

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