Register a Foreign Nonprofit in Tennessee
To register a foreign nonprofit in the State of Tennessee, you must file an Application for Certificate of Authority for a Nonprofit Organization with the Secretary of State, Business Division. You can submit this document by mail, in person, or online. The Application for Certificate of Authority for a Tennessee foreign nonprofit corporation costs $600 to file. Below, we cover the most frequently asked questions about how to file the Application for Certificate of Authority and register a foreign nonprofit in Tennessee. Or, you can simply sign up for our Tennessee Foreign Nonprofit service, and we’ll take care of your registration ourselves!
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Download the Tennessee Application for Certificate of Authority for a Nonprofit Organization. Fill out the form and submit it to the state.
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Free Guide to Registering a Foreign Nonprofit in Tennessee
Do I need to register my foreign non-profit in Tennessee before conducting affairs?
Yes, you will need to file with the Tennessee secretary of state before soliciting contributions. You can fill out forms and mail them in or drop them off in person, or you can file online (see link below).
Will I need a Certificate of Existence to operate in TN?
Yes. Your Application will need to be accompanied by a Certificate of Existence which has been officially issued by the secretary of state in the home state of your non-profit (the state in which your non-profit organization was incorporated). This certificate cannot be more than two months old when it is received by the Division of Business Services.
Will I need a registered agent in Tennessee?
Yes. In order to conduct affairs in Tennessee your foreign non-profit will need to maintain a Tennessee registered agent with a Tennessee street address. Northwest Registered Agent is able to provide this service for you, starting at $125 per year.
What forms should I fill out?
You will need to fill out an Application for Certificate of Authority for a non-profit organization.
Is there a fee?
$600!?!
Where do I send the form?
Business Services Division
Secretary of State
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
Will my foreign non-profit need to file an annual report in TN?
Yes. Tennessee non-profits need to file an annual report with the Division of Business Services. This has to be done on or before the first day of the fourth month following the close of your organization’s fiscal year. You will have to obtain pre-printed annual report forms provided by the Division of Business Services. The Division will send an annual report form to your organization during the ending month of your fiscal year.
Will my foreign non-profit need to register as a charity in Tennessee?
Yes. No matter where the non-profit is formed they are required to register as a Tennessee charity with the Division of Charitable Solicitations & Gaming before soliciting donations.
You will also want to contact the Department of Revenue to apply for Tennessee tax exemptions.
Tennessee contact information:
Division of Business Services
Attn: Annual Report
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2286
TN Division of Charitable Solicitations
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Snodgrass Tower, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2555