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Answers · Tennessee

3 Best Foreign Registration Services in Tennessee (2026): Who to Hire

For foreign registration services in Tennessee, our 2026 reply is Mainstay Filing ($199), Tennessee Registered Agent.co ($199) and TN Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. The state's registration fee is $300 whoever files, and services total $397 to $497 across three years.
By the LLC Answered editorial team

The brief reply

Short reply
Price to register
$300
Attach a certificate?
Yes, attach it (60 days or newer)
Later filing
$300, annual report
Who to hire
Mainstay Filing, Tennessee Registered Agent.co then TN Registered Agent.org

The Tennessee ranking

Why this order? How we decide explains.

#1 First choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for companies that keep growing

$199 at the start, then $149 yearly

First place: Mainstay Filing, where $199 on top of the state fee gets you registered, with the registered agent free in year one and $149 a year afterward.

Over three years it sits $100 above Tennessee Registered Agent.co, and the extra pays for service in every state.

After the free year, the registered agent renews at $149.

What is bundled

  • Application prepared and sent
  • Registered agent, covered the first year
  • Priced identically in any state

Pluses

  • Fifty states covered
  • The first agent year is covered
  • $199 plus state fee

Downsides

  • Renewal $50 above Tennessee Registered Agent.co
#2 Tennessee only

2. Tennessee Registered Agent.co: best for one extra state

$199 at the start, then $99 yearly

Tennessee Registered Agent.co comes next since registering costs $199 over the state fee, agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

What is bundled

  • Tennessee registration filing
  • A first year of agent service

Pluses

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Then $99 yearly
  • Agent covered in year one

Downsides

  • Tennessee only; the home state needs its own agent
#3 Tennessee only

3. TN Registered Agent.org: best for a low agent renewal

$199 at the start, then $99 yearly

TN Registered Agent.org comes next since registering costs $199 over the state fee, agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

Tennessee Registered Agent.co charges the same, which makes this a near tie.

What is bundled

  • Tennessee registration filing
  • A first year of agent service

Pluses

  • Agent covered in year one
  • Then $99 yearly
  • $199 plus the state fee

Downsides

  • Tennessee only; the home state needs its own agent

Numbers at a glance

#CompanyFirst yearLater yearsThree-year costPrice buys
1 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497application prepared and sent; registered agent, covered the first year; priced identically in any state Go to Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Tennessee Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397tennessee registration filing; A first year of agent service Go to Tennessee Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 TN Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397tennessee registration filing; A first year of agent service Go to TN Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices as of November 13, 2026. The state's own fees are in the checklist below.

What people ask here

When does an LLC from elsewhere have to register?

Any LLC formed in another state that wants to do business in Tennessee registers beforehand.

An unregistered LLC may face it may not sue in Tennessee courts until it registers (Tenn. Code Ann. 48-249-913(a)).

publications.tnsosfiles.com, last confirmed October 2026, official site

What will registration set me back?

The state's registration fee is $300, and a service costs $199 more.

Over three years the state's total is $900. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, last confirmed October 2026, official site

What is the application called?

Submit one document, the Application for Certificate of Authority, Foreign Limited Liability Company (SS-4233), to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable Organizations.

Provide certificate of existence or good standing less than 60 days.

What is due after the LLC registers?

$300 for the annual report.

The deadline, per the state: First day of the fourth month after fiscal year end (April 1 for a calendar year).

Why is number one first?

Because of paperwork covered (29% of the weight): Mainstay Filing is best there.

Five tests set the order: three-year price (36%), paperwork covered (29%), straightforward pricing (15%), renewal behavior (10%) and states served (10%).

Tennessee Registered Agent.co serves Tennessee only, leaving the home state to someone else.

Read the process

What Tennessee requires

QuestionReplyWhere it is from
Application fee $300sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Proof of existence Yes, attach it, 60 dayspublications.tnsosfiles.com, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Annual report $300publications.tnsosfiles.com, last confirmed October 2026, official site
State cost over 3 years $900Computed from the rows

Every figure above links to its official source; the last line is our own addition of the filing, two reports and any minimum tax, with variable costs such as publication left out.

A few more

Does my home state still want an agent?

You still need one at home. Mainstay Filing works in both states, while a local company works in one.

After three years, what has each cost?

$497 for Mainstay Filing, $397 for Tennessee Registered Agent.co, $397 for TN Registered Agent.org, with state fees on top.

What is behind the figures?

State side: Tennessee's published fee schedules and forms. Service side: the prices each company lists.

Do I need outside help?

You can file yourself if you meet the rules on this page, and the state charges what it charges either way.

Who submits the registration?

Yes. Each pick prepares and files it, and the state fee does not depend on which you choose.

Who is your first choice in Tennessee?

Mainstay Filing first: the $199 fee is identical everywhere, and the first year of registered agent service comes with it. Tennessee Registered Agent.co and TN Registered Agent.org follow.

Next stop

Where each fact comes from

  1. tnbear.tn.gov | Tennessee Secretary of State, Division | August 2026
  2. sos.tn.gov | Tennessee Secretary of State, Division | August 2026
  3. sos.tn.gov | Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report | October 2026
  4. law.justia.com | Tennessee report due date | August 2026
  5. sos.tn.gov | Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee | October 2026
  6. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com | Tennessee registered agent statute | October 2026
  7. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com | Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority | October 2026
  8. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com | Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation | October 2026
  9. publications.tnsosfiles.com | Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public | October 2026
  10. capitol.tn.gov | Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company | November 2026
  11. November 13, 2026 price read: Mainstay Filing Tennessee service page
  12. November 13, 2026 price read: Tennessee Registered Agent.co pricing page
  13. November 13, 2026 price read: TN Registered Agent.org pricing page