If a lender holds a security interest in a Tennessee business's equipment, inventory or receivables, the notice sits in the Secretary of State's UCC records. The Division of Business Services in Nashville runs that file.
The numbers are small and plain. A UCC-1 costs $15 per debtor. An official search list costs $15. The Tennessee office guide covers the rest of the office.
What does a Tennessee UCC search show?
A search by debtor name shows the financing statements filed against that debtor, plus amendments, continuations and terminations. The online database lets you search by debtor name or by UCC document number. Use the debtor's exact legal name.
Is the online lookup the same as an official search?
No, and the state says so on the page. The database search is marked unofficial. Its notice says results do not necessarily match what an official search by the Division would return. It is free, so use it to see whether a filing exists.
When you need a result you can rely on, send an Information Request. Since 2013 every search list and copy the office issues is certified.
| Who takes UCC filings | Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, UCC line 615-741-3276 (sos.tn.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Search fee | $15 for a certified list of filings (tnbear.tn.gov, checked ) |
| Copies and certified searches | $15 plus $1 per page for a certified list with copies (tnbear.tn.gov, checked ) |
| File a UCC-1 | $15 per debtor (tnbear.tn.gov, checked ) |
| Filing online | File a financing statement online and pay by card or e-check, or print it and mail it with a check (sos.tn.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | Filings can take up to 48 hours to show in the online search (tnbear.tn.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | Since 2013 every search list and copy the office issues is certified. The free online search is unofficial. (tnbear.tn.gov, checked ) |
What do copies and certified lists cost?
The certified list alone is $15. A certified list with copies is $15 plus $1 per page. If you request online and pay online, the state says copies come back right away as a PDF. That detail comes from the older service page, so check how the screen behaves today.
How do you file a UCC-1 in Tennessee?
- Use the state's online wizard to build the financing statement, or use the current state form.
- Enter the debtor's exact name and address, and the secured party's details.
- Describe the collateral.
- File online and pay by card or e-check, or print the form and mail it with a check.
- Search again after 48 hours to confirm it is on the record.
The fee is $15 per debtor. Each different address listed for a debtor is treated as a separate debtor for the fee, so list addresses with care. Amendments cost $15 each for changes, continuations and terminations, as the fee schedule shows. Our UCC-1 filing guide explains how the form works in every state.
How long does a Tennessee UCC filing take?
Filings need up to 48 hours to appear in search. That is processing time on the state's own notice, not a promise of acceptance. Keep your filing confirmation until the record appears.
Where do you call?
The Division's UCC line is 615-741-3276. For the general business line, see the office guide. For other states, read the UCC search guide.
State fees are separate. You can file at the state yourself, or ask our private filing service to help.
Sources
- sos.tn.gov/businesses/pages/contact-us: office name, division, mailing address, street address, phone, contact page, hours. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/contact: officeholder. Checked .
- tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/FilingSearch.aspx: business search, search fields, search tips. Checked .
- tnbear.tn.gov/ecommerce/nameavailability.aspx: name check. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/products/business-services/search-business-name-availability: name check. Checked .
- capitol.tn.gov/Bills/104/Chapter/PC0286.pdf: LLC name endings, name rule. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/businesses/faqs/what-is-the-required-filing-fee: name reservation fee, name reservation term, corporation filing fee, certificate fee. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/businesses/services/business-forms-fees: LLC filing fee, foreign LLC fee. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/products/business-services/annual-report-due-date-calendar: report due date. Checked .
- tnbear.tn.gov/: online filing. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/businesses/guides/order-copies-certificates: good standing certificate, certificate ordering. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/businesses/faqs: registered agent rule. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/content/business-services/uniform-commercial-code-ucc: who takes ucc filings. Checked .
- tnbear.tn.gov/UCC/Docs/UCCFees.pdf: search fee, copies and certified searches, file a ucc-1, worth knowing. Checked .
- sos.tn.gov/products/business-services/ucc-database-search: filing online. Checked .
- tnbear.tn.gov/UCC/Ecommerce/UCCSearch.aspx: processing time. Checked .