Authority: Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business ServicesSource: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptTennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Official fee: Filing Fee: $20.00Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptFiling Fee: $20.00
Form: Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
The Secretary of State defines it as a name other than the true entity name under which a business conducts business, and the office is explicit that Tennessee does not recognize "DBAs" (doing business as) or fictitious names as separate concepts — the assumed name registration is the only state-level filing of this kind.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
The registration is handled entirely at the state level by the Division of Business Services of the Tennessee Secretary of State in Nashville; there is no county-level assumed name filing in the Secretary of State's materials.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
The filing is designed for registered business entities: the Application for Registration of Assumed Name (Form SS-4402) states that the assumed name must meet the requirements of T.C.A. § 48-14-101 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act, T.C.A. § 48-249-106 of the Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act, or T.C.A. § 61-3-112 of the Tennessee Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2017.
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
An assumed name registration is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Application for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not covered by this entity-level filing: the Secretary of State's General Partnerships forms list contains no assumed name form, and the FAQ frames the filing in terms of a true entity name.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Search existing names
An official name-search entry point for Tennessee is not confirmed in this guide. Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access. A search elsewhere is not a substitute for the filing authority’s own records.
Rules by legal entity type
Jump to the entity that already exists. Each section keeps its own authority, fee, exceptions, and official evidence.
Required: No universal yes/no answer is confirmed. Read the documented applicability below.
Authority: Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business ServicesSource: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptTennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
When this route applies: Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptBusiness entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Official form: Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Form destination: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Online filing link: https://tncab.tnsos.gov/Source: tncab.tnsos.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptOfficial destination title: Tennessee Department of State
Official fee: Filing Fee: $20.00Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptFiling Fee: $20.00
Effective duration: The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptThe assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Renewal: Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Changes or amendments: Application for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20
Abandonment or cancellation: Application for Cancellation of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 251.1KB) SS-4405 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Cancellation of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 251.1KB) SS-4405 $20
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: Mail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptMail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.
In-person filing: Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWalk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
LLC
Required: No universal yes/no answer is confirmed. Read the documented applicability below.
Authority: Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business ServicesSource: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptTennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
When this route applies: Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptBusiness entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Official form: Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Form destination: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Online filing link: https://tncab.tnsos.gov/Source: tncab.tnsos.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptOfficial destination title: Tennessee Department of State
Official fee: Filing Fee: $20.00Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptFiling Fee: $20.00
Effective duration: The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptThe assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Renewal: Application for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Changes or amendments: Application for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20
Abandonment or cancellation: Application for Change or Cancellation of Assumed Limited Liability Company Name (PDF, 379.0KB) SS-4229 $20Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptApplication for Change or Cancellation of Assumed Limited Liability Company Name (PDF, 379.0KB) SS-4229 $20
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: Mail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptMail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.
In-person filing: Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.Source: sos.tn.gov official record · retrieved Supporting excerptWalk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
Sole proprietor
Required: No universal yes/no answer is confirmed. Read the documented applicability below.
Authority: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
When this route applies: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Official form: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Form destination: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Online filing link: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Official fee: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Effective duration: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Renewal: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Changes or amendments: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Abandonment or cancellation: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Important exclusions: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Mail filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
In-person filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
General partnership
Required: No universal yes/no answer is confirmed. Read the documented applicability below.
Authority: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
When this route applies: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Official form: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Form destination: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Online filing link: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Official fee: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Effective duration: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Renewal: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Changes or amendments: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Abandonment or cancellation: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Important exclusions: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Mail filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
In-person filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
How to file through the authority
The form for a new registration is the Application for Registration of Assumed Name, Form SS-4402, published by the Division of Business Services with a stated filing fee of $20.00.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Filing Fee: $20.00
The application asks for the entity's true name and Secretary of State control number, its state or country of formation, and the assumed name the entity proposes to use.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Mail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.
Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
E-filing is available at https://tncab.tnsos.gov/, the Secretary of State's online business filing portal; the office has offered online assumed name filings and renewals since 2015, and its announcement explains that the online tool lets you pay online and complete the filing, or print the completed form and mail it with a check.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Mail: Go to https://tncab.tnsos.gov/ and use the online tool to complete the form and print.
Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Application for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Official destination title: Tennessee Department of State
For a paper filing, the instructions direct filers to use the online tool at tncab.tnsos.gov to complete and print the form, or to request a blank form by emailing the Secretary of State.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Application for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Renewal uses the Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Name, Form SS-4481, listed on the Business Forms & Fees schedule at $20; the schedule styles it "Assumed Corporate Name" for corporations and lists it for limited liability companies as well.
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Filing Fee: $20.00
The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Application for Renewal of Registration of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Application for Renewal of Registration Assumed Name (PDF, 261.8KB) SS-4481 $20
If the assumed name itself changes, the office provides the Application for Change of Assumed Name, Form SS-4403, at $20.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Walk-In: An Application for Registration of Assumed Name must be accurately completed in its entirety. Forms that are inaccurate, incomplete, or illegible will be rejected.
Application for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20
To end a registration, corporations use the Application for Cancellation of Assumed Corporate Name, Form SS-4405, at $20, while limited liability companies use the combined Application for Change or Cancellation of Assumed Limited Liability Company Name, Form SS-4229, also $20.
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Application for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20
Application for Cancellation of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 251.1KB) SS-4405 $20
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Application for Change or Cancellation of Assumed Limited Liability Company Name (PDF, 379.0KB) SS-4229 $20
All of these forms are listed alongside the original SS-4402 application on the same Business Forms & Fees page, and the online filing service handles renewals as well as new registrations.
Application for Change of Assumed Name (PDF, 250.8KB) SS-4403 $20
Application for Cancellation of Assumed Corporate Name (PDF, 251.1KB) SS-4405 $20
Application for Change or Cancellation of Assumed Limited Liability Company Name (PDF, 379.0KB) SS-4229 $20
Publication and notice
Publication could not be confirmed for all covered entity types. No requirement or exemption is asserted.
Next steps: self-file first
Start with the free official path: read the Secretary of State's assumed-name FAQ, then download Form SS-4402 and its instructions from the Business Forms & Fees page, or file directly through the state's online portal at https://tncab.tnsos.gov/.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Application for Registration of Assumed Name (SS-4402)
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
If you operate as a sole proprietor or general partnership, be aware that the Secretary of State describes this registration in terms of business entities and states that Tennessee does not recognize DBAs; check with the Division of Business Services at (615) 741-2286 if your situation is unclear.
Tennessee Secretary of State — Division of Business Services
Business entities that want to transact business under a name other than their legal name can apply for an assumed name (otherwise known as a trade name or fictitious name).
Paid help is optional, and this site does not handle filings.
Paid help, if offered later, is optional. This independent guide does not submit filings or accept government fees.