Tennessee § 48-65-103 - Application for certificate of authority.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-65-103 — Application for certificate of authority., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 48-65-103. Application for certificate of authority.
A foreign corporation may apply for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state by delivering an application to the secretary of state for filing. The application must set forth: The name of the foreign corporation, and, if different, the name under which the certificate of authority is to be obtained pursuant to § 48-65-106; The name of the state or the country under whose law it is incorporated; Its date of incorporation and period of duration, if other than perpetual; The street address, including the zip code, of its principal office (and a mailing address such as a post office box if the United States Postal Service does not deliver to the principal office); The street address, including the zip code, of its registered office in this state, the county in which the office is located, and the name of its registered agent at that office; The names and business addresses, including the zip code of its current directors and officers; Whether the foreign corporation has members; A statement that the corporation is not for-profit; and Whether the corporation, if it had been incorporated in this state, would be a public benefit or mutual benefit corporation. The foreign corporation shall deliver with the completed application a certificate of existence (or a document of similar import) duly authenticated by the secretary of state or other official having custody of corporate records in the state or country under whose law it is incorporated. The certificate shall not bear a date of more than two (2) months prior to the date the application is filed in this state. If the secretary of state determines upon application that a foreign corporation has been transacting business in this state without a certificate of authority for a period of one (1) year or more, then the application shall not be issued by the secretary of state until the foreign corporation submits a confirmation of good standing relative to such foreign corporation. Acts 1987, ch. 242, § 15.03; 1989, ch. 445, § 16; 1991, ch. 188, § 7; 2010, ch. 741, § 20; 2014, ch. 899, § 79. Textbooks. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), No. 5-2401.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 48-65-103
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-65-103 cover?
Section 48-65-103 ("Application for certificate of authority.") 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 § 48-65-103?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 48-65-103" (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 § 48-65-103 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.