If you are unsure as to what type of business (i.e. Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Partnership, etc.), you may need to contact an attorney or tax professional, as this office is unable to assist in that determination. For information on types of business entities and tax, treatments consult the IRS, Tennessee Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration or the Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Driver’s License information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Click here for the Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien database.

Domestic and Foreign Nonprofit Corporation filings can be filed through our online filing system.

A Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien may be obtained by filing the following information:

1. A completed Application for Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien, form SS-4258;
2. Payment of the $10 filing fee

Once the application has been processed a cover letter and the form will be returned for your records.

Permanent Certificate of Title and other Motor Vehicle Lien information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

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.

Tennessee Secretary of State
Division of Business and Charitable Organizations
MVTL Section
6th Floor, Snodgrass Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243

• Click Here to prepare or file the application online.
• You can find the printable form here.

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.

License Plate information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Yes, you can file a Motor Vehicle Temporary Lien online.

New businesses can be formed using the Secretary of State's online business registration system.

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.

You are not required to use an attorney to file a new entity; however, using the services of a professional may be helpful.

• The required filing fee was not enclosed.
• The document has not been signed
• The document is not clear and legible.
• The document was not enclosed.
• The document is not dated.
• An email address was not provided.
• The name that you have requested is unavailable because it is not distinguishable from another business entity on file.
• We were not able to obtain tax clearance from the Department of Revenue.  Please, contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue at (615) 253-0600 or (800) 342-1003.  Once you have satisfied their requirements, resubmit your document to our office for filing.
• The address of the registered office must be a physical Tennessee address; it cannot be a post office box, route number, or box number alone.

A registered agent is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of your entity.  Tennessee requires that all entities (except General Partnerships (GP) to maintain a registered agent/office in the State of Tennessee at all times.