Free Tennessee LLC Operating Agreement Template

A Tennessee LLC operating agreement outlines how your company is structured, managed, and owned. It defines each member’s responsibilities, voting rights, and financial interests while clarifying how profits and losses are distributed.

While Tennessee doesn’t legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement, it’s strongly recommended. The document helps prove your company’s independent legal status, protects your limited liability, and provides internal governance to prevent disputes.

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement—it helps separate personal assets from business finances and reinforces your company’s credibility with banks and investors.

Tennessee LLCs are governed by the Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act under Title 48, Chapter 249 of the Tennessee Code.

Key sections include:

• § 48-249-203 — Operating agreement requirements.
• § 48-249-204 — Amendment of articles of organization and operating agreement.

LLC formation fees in Tennessee:

• Articles of organization filing: $50 per member (minimum $300, maximum $3,000)
• Annual report: $300 minimum and per member, up to $3,000 maximum
• Name reservation: $20
• Registered agent update: $20

Your total filing cost depends on the number of LLC members, but the minimum payable fee is $300. You must also file an annual report each year to maintain an active status.

Follow these steps to form your LLC and create your operating agreement in Tennessee:

1. Choose a business name: Your LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation like “L.L.C.” or “LLC.” Confirm that it’s unique using the Tennessee Business Name Search before filing.
2. Appoint a registered agent: Every Tennessee LLC must have a registered agent responsible for receiving legal and tax documents. The agent must be a Tennessee resident or a business authorized to operate in the state with a physical address (not a P.O. box).
3. File your articles of organization: You can file online through the Tennessee Secretary of State’s New Business Portal or by mail using the articles of organization form. Include your business name, address, management type (member- or manager-managed), and registered agent details.
4. Create your operating agreement: Even though it’s not required by law, drafting this document helps define ownership, management, and decision-making processes. You can quickly create one using Document Genius’s Tennessee LLC operating agreement template.
5. Obtain an employer identification number (EIN): Apply through the IRS website. This number is required for opening a business bank account, paying taxes, and hiring employees.
6. File your annual report: File an annual report each year with the Tennessee Secretary of State to keep your LLC in good standing. The fee is $50 per member (minimum $300, maximum $3,000).