With so many options when it comes to business and business professionals. Knowing as much as possible about a company before pursuing partnership is critical in today’s economy. Whether you are an entrepreneur and you are looking to open your own business, or you are a client, and you want to evaluate a future partner, the Tennessee Business Entity Search should be your first stop. The Tennessee Secretary of State offers this free, easy-to-use online tool as a public service to anyone looking for official information about a business or company registered in the state of Tennessee.
What is the Tennessee Business Entity Search?
First off, the Tennessee Business Entity Search is an online, public, directory of the records of businesses operating in Tennessee. Tennessee’s economic infrastructure includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and more.
Using this tool will enable you to simply enter a business name, control number or registered agent’s name to easily find essential business information (i.e., status, date of formation, registered agent information, and more). Overall, it functions as a verification service and a research tool that informs various business decisions.
Why Consider Using the Tennessee Business Entity Search?
There are many good reasons to use this tool. This is especially important when you are considering contracts, investment, or partnership agreements.
Either of these clearly indicate red flags that could influence your decision-making processes. Thus preventing future legal complications.
How to Use the Search Tool – Step by Step Instructions
The Tennessee Business Entity Search is fairly easy to use and accessible to users of all backgrounds. Here is a brief overview of how to use the search:
Go to the Official Website
First, go to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website – this is where the business entity search tool is located.
Check the Search Results
Then, look at the list of matching entities. Click on the business name to access more information about the entity, including its status, its filing history, and its principal office address.
Download Documents (Optional)
In addition, you can download official documents such as the Articles of Organization or the Certificate of Good Standing, for a nominal fee, if desired.
Value for all users
The value of this tool can be extended across many people and organizations:
Accuracy and Compliance
In addition to being a helpful tool, the Tennessee Business Entity Search is important for transparency and accountability. Businesses need to keep their registration up to date to include annual reports, as well as changes in officers, directors, with a registered agent, or their registered office address. By searching this tool regularly, you can help assure that these businesses you interact with comply with Tennessee’s requirements.
Additionally, while it is best practice for business owners to periodically look their businesses up to ensure all the information is accurate and to have accurate records of their business information. Incorrect information could mean fines or losing a business license; therefore, having accurate information and verifying it is smart business.
Caveats to Remember
While the search tool is a great resource, there are some caveats you should be aware of. First, the information that is in the system may not be real-time based on when a filing was made. Second, the tool is also limited to businesses only registered in the state of Tennessee; if you are trying to research an entity registered outside of Tennessee, or out-of-state that does business in Tennessee, you need to check the registry for that specific state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tennessee’s Business Entity Search is an extremely valuable tool for anyone in the business realm – whether you are doing research to start a company, looking to partner with a company, or just conducting due diligence. The search tool is intuitive with relatively reliable information for verifying and finding business details and making them verified establishes levels of trust and transparency in the marketplace.
