Registering your business in Tennessee starts with naming your business entity. To do so correctly, future owners must comply with the conventions of Tennessee law. The process requires research to ensure an entity name is unique and different from any other existing business.
However, there is an easy way to check business name availability. Swyft Filings’ business name search tool allows you to verify your desired business name by checking for it in the Tennessee Secretary of State Database.
A Tennessee Business Entity Search is a convenient way to save time on research and name your business. If you want to name a future LLC (limited liability company) or a corporation, you can complete your research in just three simple steps:
- Type in your desired business name, email, and company location
- Click "Submit" so the tool can check the Tennessee Secretary of State database and send results within 1 hour
- Complete a name reservation or check for more names using the tool
Just because a name is available using the search tool doesn't mean it complies with Tennessee's convention laws. You'll need to know the naming rules for a Tennessee LLC or corporation to get your name approved.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has specific naming conventions for all businesses within the state, and following these statutory laws increases the chance of receiving registration approval.
- A name availability search is an initial step for registering any business within the state.
- A Tennessee entity search has multiple benefits, such as convenience and fast business registration.
- Once you’ve settled on a name, you can complete additional steps for registration, such as reserving the name, choosing a domain name, and potentially filling a DBA.
Tennessee's Business Name Conventions
There are multiple rules for naming a business in the state of Tennessee. According to the Secretary of State's website, all businesses must be distinguishable and unique.[1] You won't be able to use the same name as any other business within the state, so it’s essential to check your name with a business name search tool.
Tennessee also takes a further precaution when it comes to name originality. Business names can't be confusable with already established LLC names or corporations in the public record. Avoid making name variations with articles, conjunctions, suffixes, or possessive forms of words such as:
- "The," "An," or "A"
- "And" or the symbol "&"
- "LLC," "INC," "Co," etc.
Your business name also must have the appropriate abbreviations for its entity type.[2] A limited liability company must contain LLC in the name, while corporations must have the suffix Corp, Inc, or Co. These suffixes ensure that the businesses are registered according to their relevant entity type.
Tennessee has general restrictions regarding what words you can use in your business name. It would be best if you avoid words that could be associated with government and federal agencies or are otherwise ambiguous. This includes words such as:
- Gov
- Treasury
- Chamber of Commerce
- Homeland Security
Businesses should also take care not to imply that they are associated with or vetted by any government committees.
Another restriction includes using words that imply any semblance of illegal activity. These words should be strictly avoided if you want to avoid legal issues such as lawsuits or rejection by the Secretary of State. Additionally, Tennessee explicitly restricts the word "Olympic" or other words associated with the International Olympic Committee.[2]
Benefits of a Tennessee Entity Search
Doing research is essential for naming and registering a business in Tennessee. There are multiple benefits and advantages to using a business entity name search to do this. They include:
- Verifying your business entity name, allowing you to meet the first and most crucial state conditions
- Getting your certificate of existence faster, which opens up time for completing other registration tasks rather than spending it on research
- Saving money for your business by avoiding additional filing fees for amendments and registration if you need to renew your business name due to infringing on copyright
- Protecting your business legally, which saves you from running into business legal issues down the line from copyright infringement
- Creating a more substantial brand presence with greater control over building a valuable brand and selecting the best name to represent your brand
Next Steps
Once you've chosen a business name, you can finally start the business registration process as outlined by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.[3] With an available desired name, you can reserve it, choose a domain name, and finally file for your business license. You can also file for a fictitious name for a DBA (doing business as) in Tennessee.
Complete Your Name Reservation
Once you've found an available name appropriate to your business, you can reserve it for 120 days. This will guarantee that nobody else registers for it while you're gathering the relevant applications and files for registration.
Reserving the name of your business is a straightforward process:
- Check the name availability with a business entity search
- Select the Application for Name Reservation Form on the Secretary of State website
- Follow the instructions on the document for the correct filing procedures and pay a $20 filing fee
Once the Secretary of State approves, you'll have 120 days until your reservation runs out. You can use this time to safely register your business name without the risk of losing it.
Choose a Domain Name
Owners will also benefit from choosing a domain name for their business. This will give it an online digital presence to develop right after registration.
There are several benefits of choosing a domain name for your business, and they include:
- A resource for customers and employees: Your website and domain contain all the relevant information about your business, and you can reach more customers using your business name, logo, address, and vision on your website.
- A broader potential reach: With the power of a memorable and proper domain, you can reach more customers and clients with your possible service alongside a well-designed website.
- A better brand: A domain and website are a big part of digital marketing and branding, so, with the right look, it can grab your business's attention, further contributing to marketing tactics and maximizing your reach for new potential customers.
Consider a DBA
In certain instances, you may want to file for a fictitious name or a DBA in the state of Tennessee. This will allow you to differentiate between the name you do business with from your legal name. Many sole proprietors make this choice, as well as shared partnerships. To file for a DBA, you'll need to complete the following:
- Check the business name availability with a business name checker
- Fill out a Business Tax License Application
- File the form with your local county clerk
Once your DBA is approved, you can use it to do business under that name, acting as a type of alias. Depending on your county's regulations, your DBA can have various filing fees.
File Your LLC Online
Once you've completed all the steps, it's time to register your business and develop it. The process can appear inconvenient and time-consuming with all the filings, state fees, and business taxes. However, there's a way around all that.
Swyft Filings completes the process for you by filing your LLC online. You'll only need to input your business information, and we’ll forward the relevant documentation to the Secretary of State. This gives you more time to complete other essential business tasks on your to-do list.
FAQs
How do I find out if a business name is available in Tennessee?
You can search for a business name in Tennessee by conducting a business name search.
What should be the name of the new business?
A new business should have a distinguishable name that doesn't contain any words relating to government agencies or illegal practices for it to meet Tennessee business naming conventions.
How can you find out about a business in Tennessee?
You can find information about a Tennessee LLC, corporation, or other entity by conducting a business entity search or business information search on the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
How much does a Tennessee business entity search cost?
A Tennessee business entity search requires no commitment and is completely free.
What are some of the benefits of a business entity search?
The benefits of an entity search tool include legal safety for your entity and business, convenience, and more control over branding by choosing an available business name.
What is the name of a company that provides a searchable database of all Tennessee businesses?
Swyft Filings provides a free business name search tool that checks the availability of your desired entity name by scanning the Tennessee Secretary of State business database. Likewise, the Tennessee Secretary of State also provides a business entity search tool.
Bibliography
- Tennessee Secretary of State. "Business Name Availability." Accessed May 22, 2023.
- Justia U.S. Law. "2019 Tennessee Code Title 48 - Corporations and Associations For-Profit Business Corporations Chapter 14 - Name § 48-14-101. Corporate name." Accessed May 22, 2023.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue. "Step 1: Setting Up a Business." Accessed May 22, 2023.
