You can file form SS-4800 to change the mailing address by mail or in person. A change in Registered Agent or principal address requires filing Articles of Amendment and paying the statutory $20 filing fee. Forms can be found on our the Forms & Fees page for mail and in person filings.
Can I search the Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien database?
Click here for the Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien database.
What happens if I file a Title III (HAVA) complaint?
Complaints must be filed on a Title III HAVA complaint form. Complaint forms may be found at your local county election office, the State Coordinator of Elections office or online.
All complaints must be in writing, notarized, signed, and sworn to by the complainant. The complaint may be filed with either the Coordinator of Elections or the local county election office.
Once a formal complaint is filed, the Coordinator of Elections or designee will decide the resolution of the complaint.
A complainant may request a hearing on the record.
The Coordinator of Elections or designee will gather information which may include written responses from the parties. Once all the information is gathered, the Coordinator of Elections or designee will determine whether or not there is a violation of Title III.
If it is determined that a violation of Title III has occurred, the State shall provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with Title III.
If it is determined that no violation of Title III has occurred, the State shall publish the dismissed complaints of the procedures.
A final determination must be made within 90 days of the complaint being filed. Only the complainant may agree to extend this period of time.
If a final determination is not made within 90 days and no extension is granted, the complaint shall be resolved within 60 days through alternative dispute resolution. All previous proceedings, including the record and any correspondence, shall be forwarded to an administrative law judge for alternative dispute resolution.
Does my complaint qualify as a Title III HAVA complaint?
Title IV of the Help America Vote Act requires each state to establish a state-based administrative complaint procedure. This procedure allows individuals to file a complaint if any person believes that a violation under Title III of the Help America Vote Act has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur.
A violation of Title III would include issues dealing with the following HAVA sections:
voting system standards
provisional voting
voter information requirements
statewide voter registration database and
accessibility for persons with disabilities
If your complaint does not fall within one of the above categories, you may still file a complaint with your local county election office, the State Coordinator of Elections office or online using a general complaint form.
How do I register a nonprofit in Tennessee?
Domestic and Foreign Nonprofit Corporation filings can be filed through our online filing system.
How do I record a Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien?
A Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien may be obtained by filing the following information:
A completed Application for Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien, form SS-4258;
Payment of the $10 filing fee
Once the application has been processed a cover letter and the form will be returned for your records.
Where do I send the Title III (HAVA) complaint form?
An Administrative dissolution occurs for the following reasons:
Failure to file an annual report
Being without a registered agent
A foreign entity fails to maintain its assumed name due to a name conflict
Returned payment by a financial institution
Where do I find the law for the Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien program?
The law relating to the Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien program is found in the Tennessee Code at §55-3-126(f). You can access the Tennessee Code at: Michie/LexisNexis.
Where do I mail my Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien application?
Tennessee Secretary of State
Division of Business and Charitable Organizations
MVTL Section
6th Floor, Snodgrass Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243
What is a Certificate of Existence?
A certificate of existence is a document issued by our office that certifies that an entity is active and in good standing.
Who issues Apostilles and Authentications?
The Tennessee Department of State, Business Services Division, issues an Apostille or an Authentication under the authority of the Tennessee Secretary of State with respect to documents executed, issued or certified by Tennessee County Clerks, the Tennessee State Registrar, and the Tennessee Secretary of State.
If a document needs an Authentication, the United States Department of State must also certify the Tennessee Secretary of State’s signature on the Authentication. This step is not necessary for an Apostille.
Where do I find the application to file a Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien?
Click Here to prepare or file the application online.
When does a Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien terminate?
A temporary lien properly filed with the Business Services Division automatically terminates after 180 days or upon being otherwise perfected, whichever occurs first. After 270 days, the temporary lien documents are purged from the filing system and destroyed.
An Apostille or an Authentication certifies the authenticity of the signature, seal and position of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of a public document. An Apostille or an Authentication enables a public document issued in one country to be recognized as valid in another country. While they accomplish the same objective, there are differences between Apostilles and Authentications.
An Apostille is a certification form set out in The Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (1961).
An Apostille may be obtained to transmit public documents executed in one signatory country to another signatory country in which the documents need to be produced. The Hague Convention defines a “public document” as:
Those originating in a court, clerk of a court, public prosecutor or process server;
Administrative documents;
Notarial acts; and
Official certificates are placed on documents.
An Authentication may be obtained to transmit public documents to countries that have not subscribed to The Hague Convention.
An assumed name is a name other than the true entity name under which it conducts business. Tennessee does not recognize 'DBAs' (doing business as) or fictitious names. The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Do you have to use an attorney to incorporate?
You are not required to use an attorney to file a new entity; however, using the services of a professional may be helpful.