In Short: How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Tennessee
Tennessee’s good standing document is the Certificate of Existence, issued by the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations. Order it online through TNBear by searching your entity, paying the $20 fee by credit or debit card, then downloading and printing the PDF. You can also request it by mail with no service fee. Your entity needs tax clearance from the Tennessee Department of Revenue to qualify.
- Official name: Certificate of Existence
- Issued by: Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations (Business Services)
- Fee: $20, plus an online service fee when paying online (amount not published)
- How to order: Online through TNBear, or by mail
- Turnaround: Online: download the PDF after payment; mail: not published by the state
- Free status check: The TNBear business filing search
- What keeps you in good standing: Filing the annual report, keeping a registered agent and staying clear with the Department of Revenue
Tennessee calls its good standing certificate a Certificate of Existence. The Secretary of State issues it through TNBear for a $20 filing fee, and online orders download as a PDF right after payment. Tennessee ties the certificate to your tax record, so this guide covers the Department of Revenue clearance along with ordering, fees and the annual report. For other states, see our guide on how to get a certificate of good standing.
What a Tennessee Certificate of Good Standing Is
The Tennessee Certificate of Existence certifies that an LLC or corporation is active and in good standing with the Tennessee Secretary of State. The Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, known on the state site as Business Services, issues it from the entity’s official record.
Tennessee adds a tax condition: the entity needs tax clearance from the Tennessee Department of Revenue to obtain the certificate, according to the Secretary of State’s FAQ. A Tennessee Certificate of Existence therefore reflects both your Secretary of State filings and your standing with the Department of Revenue.
Tennessee businesses are asked for the certificate by:
- Banks: to open or update business accounts.
- Other states: when registering the Tennessee entity as a foreign entity.
- Lenders: before approving financing.
- Payment processors: to approve merchant accounts.
- Buyers and investors: during due diligence.
- Licensing agencies: for state and local licenses.
How to Order a Certificate of Existence in Tennessee
TNBear is the Secretary of State’s online business system. Order there:
- Open the TNBear Certificate of Existence page.
- Search for your entity by name.
- Select your LLC or corporation and confirm it shows active.
- Request the Certificate of Existence.
- Pay the $20 filing fee by credit or debit card. An online service fee can apply.
- Download and print the PDF certificate.
To order by mail, follow the instructions on the Secretary of State’s order copies and certificates guide. Mail requests carry the $20 filing fee with no online service fee. The state does not publish a processing time for mail requests.
Tennessee Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Processing Time
| Method | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Online through TNBear, LLC or corporation | $20 plus an online service fee (amount not published by the state) | Download and print the PDF after payment |
| Mail, LLC or corporation | $20, no service fee | Not published by the state |
The $20 filing fee is the same for LLCs and corporations. Mail is the only way to avoid the online service fee.
How to Check Tennessee Good Standing Status for Free
The TNBear business filing search is free. Search by entity name and open the record to see whether the entity is active.
The search shows your Secretary of State status. It does not show your Department of Revenue tax clearance, which also affects the certificate. Our Tennessee business entity search guide explains the search fields.
How a Tennessee LLC Stays in Good Standing
Tennessee LLCs and corporations file an annual report with the Secretary of State. Tennessee charges LLCs by member count:
- LLC: $300 minimum, plus $50 for each member beyond six, up to a $3,000 maximum.
- Corporation: $20.
The Secretary of State administratively dissolves an entity for any of these reasons:
- Failing to file the annual report.
- Having no registered agent.
- A returned payment.
- For a foreign entity, a name conflict.
Confirm your annual report due date with the Secretary of State and file before it passes. A missing registered agent is one of the four dissolution triggers, so keep yours current. See how Tennessee compares with other states in our list of annual report filing requirements by state.
What to Do If Your Tennessee Business Is Not in Good Standing
A Tennessee entity that loses good standing needs both its Secretary of State record and its Department of Revenue record fixed. Work through these steps:
- Search the entity in TNBear and note its status.
- Identify the cause: a missing annual report, no registered agent, a returned payment or a name conflict.
- Obtain tax clearance from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Tennessee requires it to reinstate.
- File every missing annual report and pay the fees owed.
- Appoint a registered agent if the entity has none.
- File for reinstatement with the Secretary of State, then order your Certificate of Existence once the record shows active.
The Secretary of State’s business FAQ page explains the tax clearance requirement for reinstatement. For a general walkthrough, read how to reinstate an administratively dissolved LLC.
Tennessee Tax Good Standing vs Secretary of State Certificate
In Tennessee, the Secretary of State issues the Certificate of Existence and the Department of Revenue controls tax clearance. The two are separate records, but they are linked. Per the Secretary of State’s FAQ, tax clearance from the Department of Revenue is required to obtain a Certificate of Existence, to reinstate, to terminate and to withdraw.
In practice, an entity with an open tax issue cannot get a Certificate of Existence even when its annual reports are filed. Resolve the tax issue with the Department of Revenue first. The Secretary of State’s business FAQ page explains where tax clearance fits into each filing.
Using a Tennessee Certificate in Another State
When your Tennessee LLC or corporation registers in another state, that state asks for a recent Tennessee Certificate of Existence. Because the online version downloads right after payment, you can order it the same day you file the foreign registration. The other state then issues its own registration. Our guide to certificate of good standing vs certificate of authority explains the difference.
$0 formation fee plus the state filing fee. Registered agent free for the first year.
Tennessee Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
What is a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?
The Certificate of Existence is Tennessee’s certificate of good standing. The Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, issues it to certify that an entity is active and in good standing.
How much does a Tennessee Certificate of Existence cost?
The filing fee is $20. Paying online through TNBear can add an online service fee, and the state does not publish that amount. Mail requests carry no service fee.
How fast can I get a Tennessee Certificate of Existence?
Online orders through TNBear download as a PDF right after you pay by credit or debit card. The state does not publish a processing time for mail requests.
Why does Tennessee require tax clearance for a Certificate of Existence?
The Secretary of State requires tax clearance from the Tennessee Department of Revenue before it issues a Certificate of Existence. An open tax issue blocks the certificate even when the annual reports are filed.
How much is the Tennessee LLC annual report fee?
A Tennessee LLC pays $300 minimum, plus $50 for each member beyond six, up to a $3,000 maximum. A corporation pays $20. Failing to file leads to administrative dissolution.
Fees verified against official Tennessee sources in October 2026. State fees change; confirm the current amount on the Tennessee Secretary of State site before you order.
