Help participants change their identities or relocate.
Remove or delete existing public records.
Offer legal advice.
Relieve participants of their legal or financial responsibilities.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is any word, name, symbol, device or combination thereof used by a person to identify goods made or sold and to distinguish them from the goods made or sold by another person. In general, you use a trademark to identify a product or goods that are sold (examples include soft drinks, automobiles, magazines and food).
What happens to mail sent to the substitute address?
The Safe at Home Program will receive all first class and certified mail sent to the substitute address and then forward that mail to the participant at their designated mailing address.
What is a solicitation?
"Solicit" or "solicitation" means any oral or written request, however, communicated, whether directly or indirectly, for a contribution. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(11).
How can I check the status of a charity?
The Tennessee Secretary of State offers an online search of charities. Please note, if you do not locate the organization, please consider the following:
Organization could be exempt from the registration process by statute. Click HERE to learn more.
Organization may file as a $50,000 and Under organization. To search those organizations, please click HERE.
Make sure you are searching under the official legal name of the organization.
How much is the charitable registration fee?
The initial registration fee is $50 dollars. The fee for renewing your registration is based on the following scale:
“Contributions" means the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value, including the payment or promise to pay in consideration of a sale, performance or show of any kind which is advertised or offered in conjunction with the name of any charity. “Contribution” does not include bona fide fees, dues or assessments paid by members; provided, that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(3).
I work for an agency, how many days before a Rulemaking Hearing must I file a notice?
We recommend filing a Notice of Rulemaking Hearing 52 days prior to the hearing.
The T.C.A. requires a notice to be posted 45 days prior to a hearing. In addition to the 45 days, our office is allotted 7 days to process your agency’s notice prior to posting it online.
I have a question about the rule filing process, who can I contact?
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to filing notices and rules and we are here to help answer your questions! Our Rulemaking Guidelines packet can be a helpful resource to obtain general information about the filing process.
I have a question regarding a posted rule online, who can I contact?
While the Secretary of State’s office is responsible for receiving and posting agency rules and regulations, we are not qualified to answer questions pertaining to rule content.
You can visit the Effective Rules table here. General contact information can be found at the bottom of each Authority’s rules page.
How much does it cost to renew a Charity's Registration?
Renewal Filing fees are based the gross revenue for the filing period. Late fees are assessed per month.
For Renewal Dates after 7/1/2021:
Gross Revenue Filing Fee
$0 to $50,000 $0.00 *
$50,000.01 to $99,999.99 $10.00
$100,000.00 to $249,999.99 $10.00
$250,000.00 to $499,999.99 $10.00
$500,000 and over $10.00
Late Fees: $10/month
For Renewal Dates on or before 6/30/2021
Gross Revenue Filing Fee
$0 to $50,000 $0.00 *
$50,000.01 to $99,999.99 $120.00
$100,000.00 to $249,999.99 $160.00
$250,000.00 to $499,999.99 $200.00
$500,000 and over $240.00
Late Fees: $25/month
* Based on answers on the renewal form, an organization may qualify for an exemption because they received less than $50,000 in gross contributions from the public. Organizations that qualify for this exemption will not be charged a filing fee for the filing period.
What are the penalties if an organization violates the Charitable Solicitations Act?
A civil penalties up to $5,000 may be imposed for each and any violation. Further, anyone who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of the Charitable Solicitations Act, or willfully and knowingly gives false or incorrect information in filing statements or reports to the division commits a Class B misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class E felony.
How do I renew a registered trademark or service mark?
What are the laws governing trademark registration in the state of Tennessee?
The Tennessee Trade Mark Act of 2000 governs trademark registration in Tennessee. The Tennessee Trade Mark Act of 2000 can be found in the Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 47-25-501 through 47-25-518.
What is the mode or manner of use?
How the applicant is using the mark. For example, “business cards”, “letterhead”, “flyers”, “signs”, “labels”, “newspaper advertisements”, “billboards”, “bus benches”, “television advertisements”, “websites”.
For what reason might an application for registration or renewal of trademark be rejected by the Division of Business Services?
The reasons for rejection include, but are not necessarily limited to:
An incomplete form is submitted. All blanks must be filled in for both registration and renewal applications.
An acceptable specimen is not provided. A specimen is required for both registration and renewal applications.
No signature.
Incomplete dates. Dates must include month, day and year.
The application is completed in pencil. All registration and renewal applications must be typewritten or completed in ink.
Failure to include the $20.00 per classification filing fee.
Failure to include the type of goods and/or services to be provided.
Failure to include the mode or manner of use.
Failure to include a classification in the application.
A new owner is listed in a renewal application.
What is a service mark?
A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that a service mark is used by a person to identify services rendered or offered and to distinguish them from the services rendered or offered by another person. The services must be provided to the public or any party other than the applicant. In general, you use a service mark to identify services that are offered or sold (examples include restaurant, retail business and computer services).