Do you have the perfect name idea for a new business entity in the state of Tennessee, but you’re not quite ready to form your company?
Tennessee allows you to reserve a business name until you’re prepared for the business formation process, but how does the reservation process work and how long will the state reserve the name for you? In this guide, we’ll run down all the important details of reserving a business name in Tennessee.
How to Reserve a Business Name in Tennessee
The first step is to determine if your desired business name is even available in Tennessee to begin with. Thankfully, the state of Tennessee has a convenient business name availability search tool that you can access at this link. Once you’ve determined the availability of your desired name, you can begin the process of reserving it with the state.
You can download the Application for Reservation of Name from the business name availability search page. This form must be filed with the Secretary of State in order to reserve your desired business name. You will need to provide the following information for the Application for Reservation of Name: Corporate Filings 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
6th Floor, William R. Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, TN 37243
This application comes with a $20 filing fee. Your check must be payable to the “Tennessee Secretary of State.” Once you have provided the necessary information, you can mail the form and check to the following address:
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How Long Is My Business Name Reserved For?
Tennessee name reservations last for a period of 4 months. You will need to register your business during this time period, otherwise you risk losing the name to someone else.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t ready to form your Tennessee business entity doesn’t mean you can’t lock down your desired business name.
The name reservation process in Tennessee is relatively simple and inexpensive. So, if you have a name in mind for your business, there is no reason to delay reserving it with the Secretary of State.