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.

“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).

No, the State of Tennessee only offers notaries and remote online notaries.

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. 

Yes, each vendor that you are utilizing their software to remotely notarize documents should be listed in your dashboard under your vendor technologies.  You have the option to add new vendor technologies in your dashboard for free.  The same documents are required to be uploaded.

Yes, for good cause shown (e.g. application for extension to file an exempt organization return that was filed with the IRS), the division may extend the time for filing a renewal application for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, during which time the previous registration remains in effect.   An organization may request a second extension of time for a period of sixty (60) days, as long as it provides proof that it has been granted an extension of time to file with the IRS.

Yes, the organization must renew its registration by the last day of the 6th month after the end of its accounting year.

In April of 2018, the Tennessee Legislature passed Senate Bill 1758 known as the “Online Notary Public Act”. This Act went in effect as of July 1, 2019. The Act defines “Online Notarization” as “a notarial act performed by means of two-way video and audio conference technology…”. This means that the notary and the principal whose signature is notarized are not in the same place but interact remotely over the internet. All regular notary rules apply to these transactions including the requirement for the notary to confirm the identity and state of mind of the principal, the voluntary nature of the act and the legality of the document. This will require online notaries to have access to significant technological resources via a contract with a third-party online notary vendor. This Act authorizes Tennessee notaries to perform remote online notarizations after the completion of an application and approval from the Tennessee Secretary of State.  The steps which must be taken for a notary to perform online notarizations can be found in the  Online Notary Public Guide.

The third-party vendor you have chosen should provide you with the certificate.

The portion of a notarized electronic document that is completed by the notary public, bears the notary public's electronic signature and official electronic seal, official title, commission expiration date, any required information concerning the date and place of the electronic notarization, and states the facts attested to or certified by the notary public in a particular electronic notarization.

The application fee is $75.  

Tennessee Rule 1360-07-03-.03 states

1. The records shall be retained in a safe and secure manner, for five years following the date of the notarization.
2. A backup of the electronic records shall also be maintained for five years following the date of the notarization.
3. A notary can elect to store such recordings with a custodian, or a repository and such recordings may be stored separately from the journal if it is cross-referencing the place of storage and how the record is stored.
4. The original records and backup shall be protected from unauthorized use.

1. The name of your vendor and a description of the technologies it uses to provide the services listed in the Tennessee Rules [1360-07-03-.02(h), (i), (l ), (m), (n)]
2. An explanation of the method or technology you will use to maintain an electronic notary journal as required by the Rules;[1360-07-03-.03(12)]
3. A copy of your unique electronic seal; [1360-07-03-.03(k)]
4. A copy of your unique electronic notarial certificate or other technology for rendering a notarized electronic document tamper-evident;[1360-07-03-.04(13)]
5. A copy of the instructions or techniques supplied by the vendor that allows the online notary public's electronic notarial certificate to be read and authenticated;[1360-07-03-.04(8)]
6. A copy of the instructions or techniques supplied by the vendor that allow the online notary public to conduct identity proofing and credential analysis. [1360-07-03-.02(m)]

No, the Tennessee Secretary of State does not recommend nor endorse any third-party vendors.  Whatever platform you choose should provide identity proofing, credential analysis, and storage for your video recordings of notarial acts.  It should also be capable of attaching your electronic seal, electronic signature, and electronic notarial certificate to an electronic document.

A Notary is considered a public official and may be removed from office just as any other official. Complaints concerning official misconduct should be directed to local Law Enforcement in the county in which the Notary is elected or in which the alleged misconduct occurred.

With regard to criminal conduct of a notary, Attorney General Opinion No. 07-157 states:

"Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-7-103, the District Attorney General has the duty of prosecuting all violations of state criminal statutes which occur in his or her district. This duty includes prosecutions of criminal acts committed by notaries. A citizen who wishes to file a criminal complaint against a notary public may do so by contacting the District Attorney General of the judicial district in which the alleged criminal conduct occurred and proceeding through the complaint process."

Additionally, as explained in the above opinion of the Attorney General, a notary may be removed from office through the ouster proceedings set forth in Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-17-101.

A directory of District Attorneys can be found at Tennessee District Attorneys General Directory.

A fee can be required not to exceed $25 for each online notarization per Tennessee Rule 1360-07-03-.03.

In e-notarization, the notarization uses digital signatures but must occur in the physical presence of the notary, similarly to a traditional/pen and paper notarization.  In remote notarization, the person is not in the physical presence of the notary but is present through audio and visual equipment such as a webcam.

"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).

The Office of the Secretary of State has developed an application form that must be used to apply for the program, which captures all required information and must be completed with the assistance of a Certified Application Assistant, who must also sign the application.  The application must be submitted to the Safe at Home Program by a certified application assistant. 

For more information see our Applicant Guide.

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.

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.

Private businesses are not required by statute to accept a Safe at Home Participant's substitute address. However, private companies or agencies are encouraged to make every effort to keep a participant’s information safe by accepting the substitute address whenever possible. If agency or business employees have questions about using the substitute address, they may contact the Safe at Home Program directly.

Program participants may be required to provide their residential street address to a public utility service provider for the purpose of obtaining utility services.  However, participants can request that their residential address be treated as confidential by presenting the public service utility with a certificate of program participation.

After doing so, the public utility service provider must treat the residential address and all other identifying information as confidential in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act, compiled at Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5.

As authorized by law, properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request disclosure of information relating to a program participant. T.C.A. § 40-38-609. What information may be available to law enforcement or administrative agency officials?

• Properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request confirmation of program participation pertaining to a supposed program participant.
• Properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request disclosure of information pertaining to a program participant, including the confidential address, subject to the discretion of the Secretary of State. Program Participants may be entitled to prior notice and appeal rights.
• Disclosure of a participant’s confidential address, or any other information contained within a program participant’s file, shall be limited to ensure that the disclosure and dissemination of the confidential address will be no greater than necessary for the specific purpose for which it was requested.

Program Participants are not subject to selection for state or municipal jury duty. T.C.A. § 40-38-607.

Program participants should not appear on state or municipal jury selection lists. If a program participant is selected for jury service, the summoning court should excuse the program participant.

If a program participant receives a jury summons for either state or municipal jury duty, the Participant must notify the summoning court of the participant's exempt status and provide a copy of the Participant's Certificate of Program Participation, if requested.

Participants may not fail to respond to a jury summons.

Program Participants must vote by absentee ballot. T.C.A. § 40-38-607.

Program participant absentee ballots must be treated as confidential and must be processed confidentially by the Administrator of Elections. Program participants shall appear in the statewide official voter registration list only by the Participant Identification Number. 

• When listing, appraising, or assessing property taxes;
• When collecting property taxes;
• On any document related to real property recorded with a county clerk or recorder.

• Whenever a program participant is required by law to swear to or affirm the participant’s address, the participant may use the participant’s substitute address. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
• Wherever a program participant is required by law to establish residency, the participant may use the participant’s substitute address. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
• The substitute address may be used for motor vehicle records and may be printed on a drivers license. T.C.A. § 40-38-602.
• The substitute address may also be used as your official mailing address for all public utilities and public utility service providers. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
• Participants may also request that private entities use the substitute address, although they are not required to do so.

The initial registration fee is $50 dollars.  The fee for renewing your registration is based on the following scale:

GROSS REVENUE REGISTRATION FEE 
$0 – $48,999.99                                              $80 
$49,000 – $99,999.99                                     $120
$100,000 – $249,999.99                                 $160 
$250,000 – $499,999.99                                 $200 
$500,000 and above                                      $240

In accordance with Tennessee Rule 1360-07-03-.04, an online notary public shall use an electronic seal that substantially conforms to the following design: a circular, square, or rectangular seal with the notary public's name as it appears on the commission printed at the top, the county of election printed at the bottom, the words 'Tennessee Notary Public' printed in the center, and the words "Online Notary Public" printed below.  The electronic seal must also be accompanied by a statement of the date upon which the online notary public's commission expires.

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• Participants should always use the substitute address when interacting with a state or local government entity, whether on their own behalf or on behalf of their children. Participants should never disclose their confidential address, unless required by law to do so.
• Participants should always notify the state or local government official or entity with whom they are interacting that they are a program participant and that their residential address is confidential.
• Participants should always be prepared to provide officials with a copy of their program participation certificate.
• If a Participant has filed paperwork with a state or local government entity using their confidential address within 30 days prior to their application for program participation, the participant should immediately contact the state or local agency to notify them of the Participant's participation certification, provide a copy of the Participant's Certificate of Program Participation, and request that the participant's confidential address be protected.
• If a Participant is asked to verify their residential address for purposes of enrolling either themselves or their minor children in a public school, the Participant should provide the school with a copy of their Certificate of Program Participation and your substitute address. Then, direct school officials to contact the Office of the Secretary of State for further verifications in accordance with T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
• Participants should provide their Public Utility Service Providers (electric, water, and gas, etc.) with a copy of their Certificate of Program Participation and their substitute address, and then request that the Public Utility Service Provider keep their residential address confidential. These requests should be presented to the Public Utility Service Provider's records custodian.

The program does NOT:

• Help participants change their identities or relocate.
• Remove or delete existing public records.
• Offer legal advice.
• Relieve participants of their legal or financial responsibilities.

Organizations that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act include bona fide religious institutions, as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(c); educational institutions and supporting organizations as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(b); volunteer fire departments, rescue squads and local civil defense organizations; political parties, candidates, and Political Action Committees; hospitals; nursing homes; any corporation established by an act of congress of the United States that is required by federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to congress containing itemized accounts of all receipts and expenditures after being fully audited by the department of defense; and organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year. Organizations that do not intend to solicit and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year must file an Exemption Request annually.

An individual should consider applying if they are victims of domestic abuse, stalking, human trafficking, or any sexual offense, who:

• are attempting to escape an abuser, stalker, or other aggressor;
• are currently residing in a domestic violence shelter or other crisis shelter;
• are currently temporarily residing with family or friends;
• have moved to a new home within the previous 30 days;
• have children; or
• rely upon, or will need to rely upon, public assistance programs.

The application can be completed by:

• Any adult may apply on their own behalf
• A parent may apply on behalf of their minor child
• A fiduciary, such as a guardian or conservator, may apply on behalf of a minor or a person with a disability 

Any person who is required by law to be registered under any of the following is not eligible to participate in the program:

• Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration Verification and Tracking Act of 2004, compiled at Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2;
• Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration Act, compiled at Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 1
• Registry of persons who have abused, neglected, or misappropriated the property of vulnerable individuals, compiled at Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 10; or,
• Drug offender registry under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-436.

Certified Application Assistants work with various state and local agencies and/or nonprofit agencies that provide counseling and shelter services to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes. At list of Certified Application Assistants can be found here.  Safe at Home is most effective as part of an overall safety plan. Additional information regarding safety plans can be found here.