Who can be a registered agent in Tennessee?

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026

A registered agent can be an individual who resides in Tennessee or a domestic or qualified foreign entity such as a corporation or LLC. The agent must keep an office at the same street address listed as the registered office.

Quick facts

Required?: Yes - for every domestic and foreign LLC
Governing law: Tenn. Code § 48-249-109
Who qualifies: Tennessee resident individual or qualified entity
Address: Physical Tennessee street address (no P.O. box alone)
Where named: Form SS-4270 (Articles of Organization)
Change fee: +$20 on the annual report

The same question in every other state

This requirement is set at state level, so the answer changes when you cross a state line. Below is how 19 other states answer the same question, each linked to the page that cites the agency it came from. The full breakdown is on registered agent rules by state.

State	Answer
Connecticut	A registered agent may be a natural person who is a Connecticut resident, a corporation formed under Connecticut law, or another qualifying domestic or foreign entity authorized to do business in the state. The agent must have a Connecticut street address.
Georgia	A Georgia registered agent can be an individual who resides in Georgia, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Georgia. In every case the agent must maintain a physical Georgia street address, known as the registered office.
Hawaii	A Hawaii registered agent can be an individual resident of Hawaii, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Hawaii. The agent must have a physical street address in the state.
Illinois	The agent must be an individual who is an Illinois resident, or a person authorized to transact business in Illinois, with a physical Illinois street address for the registered office. A P.O.
Louisiana	Under RS 12:1308, the agent must be a citizen of Louisiana residing in the state, a partnership or professional law corporation authorized to practice law here, or a domestic or qualified foreign corporation or LLC authorized to act as agent for service of process.
Minnesota	Under section 5.36, the agent must be a natural person who resides in Minnesota, or a domestic or foreign corporation or LLC authorized to do business in the state. The agent's business office must be identical with the registered office.
Mississippi	A Mississippi registered agent must be an individual resident of Mississippi whose business office is identical with the registered office, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Mississippi whose business office is identical with the registered office. The agent must consent to the appointment.
Nebraska	A Nebraska registered agent can be an individual resident of Nebraska or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Nebraska. The individual or entity must consent to the appointment.
New Hampshire	A New Hampshire registered agent can be an individual resident of the state, a domestic business entity, or a foreign business entity authorized to transact business in New Hampshire. The agent must maintain a physical street address in the state.
New Jersey	A New Jersey registered agent must be an individual who is a resident of New Jersey, or another person or entity with authority to transact business in the state. The agent must have a physical New Jersey street address, called the registered office.
New Mexico	A New Mexico registered agent can be an individual resident of New Mexico, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in New Mexico. The agent must have a physical street address in the state.
New York	Under Section 302, a registered agent may be a natural person who resides in New York or has a New York business address, a domestic or authorized foreign LLC, or a domestic or authorized foreign corporation. The agent receives service on the LLC's behalf.
North Carolina	A registered agent must be either an individual who resides in North Carolina, or a domestic or authorized foreign business entity, with a business office identical to the registered office (a physical North Carolina street address). A P.O.
North Dakota	A North Dakota registered agent can be an individual resident of the state, a domestic entity authorized to transact business in North Dakota, or a foreign entity authorized to transact business in North Dakota. The agent must consent to the appointment.
Rhode Island	A registered agent can be an individual resident of Rhode Island, or a domestic or foreign business entity authorized to transact business in Rhode Island. The agent must maintain a physical street address in the state and consent to the appointment.
South Dakota	An individual resident of South Dakota, a domestic business entity, or a foreign business entity authorized to transact business in South Dakota. The agent must have a physical street address in the state.
Texas	A Texas registered agent can be an individual resident of Texas, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Texas. The agent must consent to the appointment and maintain a physical street address in Texas.
Vermont	A registered agent can be an individual resident of Vermont, a domestic corporation or LLC authorized to transact business in Vermont, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized to transact business in Vermont. The agent must have a physical street address, not just a P.O.
Virginia	Virginia is stricter than most states. An individual agent must generally be a Virginia resident who is a member or manager of the LLC, an officer or director of the corporation, or a licensed Virginia attorney.

Full context for Tennessee

This page answers one question. The complete Tennessee guide -- covering the surrounding requirements, the forms, the agency, and what happens if you get it wrong -- is at Tennessee Registered Agent Requirements (2026).

Sources

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