Tennessee Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose
Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft an Articles of Incorporation (Corporations): $590.00
- Lawyers available: 113 business lawyers
- Clients helped: 89 recent articles of incorporation projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.95 (7 reviews)
What are Tennessee Articles of Incorporation?
Tennessee articles of incorporation, sometimes called a For-Profit Corporation Charter, is a legal document required by law to establish a corporation. Articles of incorporation notify the state that a corporation exists and what purpose the business will serve.
Many business owners choose to incorporate their company because this business entity provides important benefits like liability protection for directors, officers, and shareholders, and tax benefits.
How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Tennessee?
To find Tennessee business forms including articles of incorporation, you can visit the Businesses page on Tennessee’s Secretary of State Website. To find articles of incorporation, follow these steps:
- Visit the “Businesses page” from the Secretary of State website.
- Scroll down and click “Forms”.
- Find the form labeled “Charter For-Profit Corporation” and open it.
This brings you to a printable PDF form with detailed instructions on how to properly fill out and submit the form to the state.
Does Tennessee Require Articles of Incorporation?
Yes. Tennessee requires articles of incorporation for any company that is established as a corporation.
How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in Tennessee?
Articles of incorporation in Tennessee can be filled out by downloading and printing the PDF Charter form provided by the Secretary of State. This form requires the following information about your corporation:
- Corporation name
- Name consent or DBA
- Name and address of the registered agent (must be a physical Tennessee address)
- Duration of the corporation
- Effective start date
- Authorized shares of stock
- Address of the principal office
- At least one director’s name and address
- Name and address of each incorporator
It is encouraged to consult with a business attorney who specializes in articles of incorporation to assist with drafting this legal formation document. Mistakes could result in the Secretary of State rejecting your articles and delaying the start of your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Real Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) Projects
New Jersey New Business set up (New Jersey) Drafting
- New Jersey
- 10 lawyer bids
- $250 - $5,000
Washington File Articles of Incorporation Prepare & File
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- 5 lawyer bids
- $300 - $999
See all Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) projects in Tennessee
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Need to file articles of incorporation?
Meet some of our Tennessee Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
William M.
Will focuses his legal practice on business, real estate, entertainment, intellectual property, and certain litigation matters. In addition to his legal expertise, he is a owner of a quickly growing bluegrass record label, and has produced chart topping bluegrass albums. Beyond his professional achievements, he has earned acclaim as a bluegrass musician, producer, and songwriter, having toured extensively across North America with well known bluegrass bands. Will is also involved with volunteering and professional groups focused towards music frowth and education. With a distinctive background as an attorney, musician, real estate investor, and business owner, Will offers clients a unique and relatable perspective few attorneys possess.
"Will did a great job of reviewing our commercial lease and explaining the legal implications in a clear way. We hope to work with him again in the future."
DC L.
Darren Craig ("DC") Lamb is the Founder and Managing Partner of DCL Legal, AI, & Business Consulting, a Nashville-based law firm serving entrepreneurs, founders, and growing businesses as outside general counsel. Licensed in TN, KY, and IN, Darren previously served as lead associate at Wilson Elser (AmLaw 200), handling all litigation for a Fortune 500 e-commerce company across KY, IN, and TN, and managing complex coverage matters for a leading international insurance market. DCL Legal focuses on business litigation, commercial contracts, corporate governance, AI & technology advisory, and fractional general counsel engagements — delivering executive-level legal guidance without the cost of full-time in-house counsel.
"I’m satisfied with the speediness and the attentiveness of my legal team. The documents were prepared in a timely manner. Very professional and left the door open for final review"
Jeanne H.
Jeanne is a trusted and approachable legal advisor for contractors, developers, architects, and owners navigating the complexities of construction projects and serves as the founding attorney at Harrison Litigation Team, PLLC. Jeanne has a deep legal knowledge with a genuine understanding of the people and projects behind every build, bringing over a decade of experience to each dispute and transaction. She focuses her practice on construction litigation, business litigation, and complex transactions, guiding clients through the full lifecycle of their projects — from contract negotiation and risk management to dispute resolution and litigation. Capabilities: * Drafting and negotiating AIA and custom construction and business contracts * Managing claims involving delays, defects, and payment disputes * Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings * Advising on regulatory compliance and lien enforcement * Guiding business transactions and partnership agreements
Beth M.
Highly skilled attorney with more than 12 years of experience in delivering ongoing support to an international organization, government organizations, law firms, and long-term healthcare facilities. Eager to leverage experience in negotiations, contracts, and strategic planning into a corporate attorney role with room for growth in the organization.
June 12, 2024
Daniel L.
I have 8 years of experience in commercial litigation. Clients have been in industries including chemical, trucking, heavy equipment and materials, industrial supplies, hospitality, and commercial real estate. I am barred in TN, and my NY bar admission is pending.
May 28, 2025
Calleigh G.
Associate attorney
June 3, 2025
Justin T.
Attorney with 20+ years substantive experience in the areas of law including real estate; banking, insurance, and financial institutions; business organizations and corporations; and probate and estate planning.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowLawyer Reviews for Tennessee Articles of Incorporation Projects
New Business set up (New Jersey)
"Jason was easy to work with, took the time to answer the questions we had and delivered the scope of work as agreed."
File Articles of Incorporation
"Laid everything out up front including cost and timeline. Kept to the timeline and explained everything he did and I need to do moving forward in layman's terms which is greatly appreciated."
Articles of Incorporation
"Jimmy was excellent to work with. Very informative, gave me several options, communicated every day and completed the project ahead of schedule. I would highly recommend him if you are starting a new business and need help."
Delaware Incorporation
"I had the pleasure of working with Ted on Contracts Counsel, and I can confidently say that he exceeded all my expectations. From the outset, Ted demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and expertise in handling my business contracts. He was not only incredibly punctual, responding to my queries promptly, but also offered invaluable advice that helped me navigate complex legal matters with ease. Ted's clear communication and attention to detail made the entire process seamless, and I felt confident knowing that I had a skilled attorney on my side. Whether you’re dealing with contract drafting, negotiation, or any other business legal matter, I highly recommend Ted for his thorough knowledge, quick responsiveness, and excellent guidance. His support truly made a difference, and I’m grateful for the peace of mind he provided. If you're seeking a top-tier attorney for business contracts, Ted is the one to trust."
Corporate
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Does an LLC need articles of incorporation?
I am considering forming an NY LLC and am doing a bit of research.
Ramsey T.
LLCs are not technically "companies" or "corporations" and therefore they are not formed by filing Articles of Incorporation. Corporations are formed when you file Articles of Incorporation. LLS are formed by an "Organizer" who files a Form of Organization or Articles of Organization with a state. LLCs actually are "hybrids" with characteristic of companies in some ways and of partnerships in other ways.
Non-Profit Corporation
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can the Articles of Incorporation be amended to change the purpose of a nonprofit organization?
I am a board member of a nonprofit organization that was established with a specific purpose outlined in our Articles of Incorporation. However, due to changing circumstances and the evolving needs of our community, we are considering amending the Articles of Incorporation to expand our organization's purpose. We want to know if it is legally possible to make such changes to the Articles of Incorporation and if there are any specific requirements or procedures we need to follow in order to do so.
Damien B.
Hello! My name is Damien Bosco, Esq. My law office is located in Long Island City across from Manhattan. A not-for-profit corporation may amend its Certificate of Incorporation from time to time by filing a Certificate of Amendment under Section 803 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. The document may contain any information originally included in a Certificate of Incorporation (name change, revision to the purpose clause, etc.). Because you plan to alter the corporation's purpose, you must review Section 804 to ensure you obtain the necessary consent. If you need a consultation or help with this, feel free to reach out. Best regards.
Business
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
new business startup
we are located in florida but were told delaware is a good satte to incorporaet the business
Bruce B.
Yes. Many businesses choose to incorporate in Delaware because Delaware has favorable laws to business entities as well as a detailed history of how cases will by decided by their courts. For this reason Delaware is a good option to consider for incorporation. You can then register with the State of Florida as a foreign corporation doing business in Florida.
Corporate Governance
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can you provide me with information on the role and responsibilities of a registered agent in a business entity?
I recently started a small business and I have been advised to appoint a registered agent for my company. However, I am not fully aware of the role and responsibilities of a registered agent and how they can benefit my business. I would like to understand the legal requirements and obligations associated with this position, as well as how a registered agent can assist in ensuring compliance with state regulations and receiving important legal documents on behalf of my company.
Damien B.
If a company registers to do business in a state where it does not have a physical presence, it must designate a registered agent in that state to accept legal documents. This ensures compliance with state laws and provides a reliable way to receive official communications. A company can appoint itself as its registered agent to receive legal documents if it has a physical address in that state. In that situation, there would be no need to have a separate registered agent. Some business owners who work from home opt for a registered agent service, which can help protect privacy by keeping the individual's home address off public records. Feel free to reach out if you want a consultation or other legal services.
Corporate
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
When do I need articles of incorporation?
I want to start an LLC in Florida and have read about articles of incorporation. I want to understand what they are used for.
Jane C.
You need articles of incorporation when you start a business, open a business bank account, and apply for a tax identification number. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
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AMPOWER CORP
Location: Florida
Turnaround: A week
Service: Drafting
Doc Type: Articles of Incorporation (Corporations)
Number of Bids: 5
Bid Range: $238 - $2,000
ContractsCounsel User