Tennessee § 48-51-304 - Effective time and date of document.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-51-304 — Effective time and date of document., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 48-51-304. Effective time and date of document.
Except as provided in subsection (b) and § 48-51-305(c), a document accepted for filing is effective: At the time of filing on the date it is filed by the secretary of state, as evidenced by the secretary of state's date and time endorsement on the original document; or At the time specified in the document as its effective time on the date it is filed. A document may specify a delayed effective time and date and, if it does so, the document becomes effective at the time and date specified. If a delayed effective date but no time is specified, the document is effective at the close of business on that date. A delayed effective date for a document may not be later than the ninetieth day after the date it is filed by the secretary of state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents specified in § 48-51-303(a)(3)-(7), (16), (20), (21), (25), (31), (33), (34), may not specify a delayed effective time and date. The secretary of state shall not file any charter or application for a certificate of authority unless that document designates the registered agent and registered office of such domestic or foreign corporation in accordance with chapters 55 and 65 of this title. The secretary of state shall not file any other document under chapters 51-68 of this title if at the time of filing the domestic or foreign corporation does not have a registered agent or registered office designated at such time, unless at the time such document is received for filing the secretary of state also receives for filing a statement designating such registered agent or registered office, or both. Acts 1987, ch. 242, § 1.33; 1991, ch. 188, § 13; 2014, ch. 899, § 13. Textbooks. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), No. 5-1701.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 48-51-304
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-51-304 cover?
Section 48-51-304 ("Effective time and date of document.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 48-51-304?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-51-304" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 48-51-304 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.