Run by the Secretary of State’s Division of Business Services. It covers corporations, LLCs, LPs, and nonprofits.
Tennessee Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The Tennessee Secretary of State runs business records through TNBear, free to search. Look a company up by name or control number to see its status, registered agent, and filings — then file the annual report in the newer TNCaB portal.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Tennessee
What the Tennessee TNBear Search Covers
Each record lists the control number, status, formation date, registered agent, principal office, and filing history.
Searching is free; filing the annual report (via TNCaB) requires an account.
How to Search by Business Name
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1
Open the TNBear filing search
Go to the Division of Business Services' TNBear filing search, or use the direct link below. No account is needed to search.
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Search by name or control number
Search by business name or by the Secretary of State control number.
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Read the results
Results show matching entities with their control number and status. Click an entity to open its detail.
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Review the entity detail
The detail shows status, entity type, formation date, registered agent, principal office, and filing history.
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5
File the annual report
Annual report filing has moved to the TNCaB portal. You need an account to file.
Ready to try it? Open the official TNBear search and run your query.
Search Tennessee businesses ↗All the Ways to Search Tennessee Records
Business Name
Search by company name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Control Number
Go straight to one record using the Secretary of State control number.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
The registered agent appears on each entity detail.
Open this search ↗Filing History
From a record, review the entity's filings, including annual reports.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by business name or Secretary of State control number.
- No account is needed to search; filing requires an account.
- Annual report filing has moved to the TNCaB portal (tncab.tnsos.gov).
- Searching is free.
- All entities except general partnerships must keep a Tennessee registered agent.
- Annual reports are due the first day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (April 1 for calendar-year entities).
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Control Number | The Secretary of State control number assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active or in another condition. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or LP. |
| Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in Tennessee or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Agent | The name and Tennessee address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Office | The entity's principal business address as most recently reported. |
| Filing History | A list of the entity's filings, including annual reports and amendments. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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1
Open the entity’s detail
Search by name or control number and open the detail.
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Open the filing history
Review the entity’s filings, including annual reports and amendments.
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View the documents
Open the filings directly from the record. Searching and viewing are free.
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File the annual report (TNCaB)
Use the TNCaB portal to file the annual report; an account is required.
Annual report: Tennessee annual reports are due the first day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ends (April 1 for calendar-year entities). Filing has moved to the TNCaB portal.
Tennessee Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Tennessee business search free?
Yes. Searching TNBear is free and needs no account. Filing an annual report requires an account.
What is the control number?
It is the Secretary of State control number assigned to each entity. You can search directly by it.
Where do I file the annual report?
Annual report filing has moved to the TNCaB portal at tncab.tnsos.gov.
When is the annual report due?
On the first day of the fourth month after the entity's fiscal year ends — April 1 for calendar-year entities.
Do I need a registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes. All entities except general partnerships must maintain a registered agent and office in Tennessee at all times.
A name is available in Tennessee. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.