Register an LLC with Georgia Secretary of State (2024)

A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that offers limited personal liability on the part of the owner.

An LLC also offers the possibility of certain tax benefits. A specialized attorney may be able to help you determine if an LLC is appropriate for your business.

How Do I … Register an LLC with Georgia Secretary of State?

  • Get Prepared

    • Do your research to be sure an LLC is the right structure for your business entity.
    • Determine if you are a foreign or domestic business entity. A domestic entity is one that is being created for the first time in Georgia. A foreign entity is one that already exists outside of the State of Georgia — whether that is another country or simply another U.S. state. Foreign entities must follow a different procedure to do business in Georgia
    • Select a registered agent for your company. The registered agent is the person or entity designated to receive any service of process, documents, or other official communication on behalf of the business. A registered agent must be located in Georgia.
    • Have any optional provisions prepared in advance. Optional provisions refer to information about the entity that are not required by law, such as 501(c)(3) language.
  • Gather What You'll Need

    • Name of the LLC or a valid name reservation number
    • Name and address of the person filing for the LLC
    • A valid email address
    • Mailing address of the principal office
    • Name and address of the registered agent
    • Name and address of each organizer
    • Any optional provisions you need to add to your articles of organization
    • A form of payment. Depending on how you apply, your form of payment will be one of the following: credit card, check, cashier’s check, or money order.
  • Create & File Registration

    You can register an LLC online, by mail, or in person. Applications can be expedited for additional fees. Each registration method has different processing times and expedite options.

    • Register online
      1. Visit the Secretary of State’s online services page.
      2. Create a user account.
      3. Select “create or register a business”. Create a new, domestic business and choose domestic limited liability company.
      4. Fill out the required information about your business entity (listed above).
      5. Pay the $100 filing fee by approved credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

      Processing Time: 7 business days; Processing in 2 business days costs an additional $100. Processing in the same business day (if submitted before noon on a weekday) costs an additional $250.

    • Register by mail
      1. Either draft your own Articles of Organization, or download and fill out the Articles of Organization for LLC (CD 030) form from the Georgia Secretary of State website.
      2. Download and fill out the Transmittal Form — Limited Liability Companies (231) from the Georgia Secretary of State website.
      3. Mail the completed Articles of Organization, transmittal, form, and $110 filing fee by check or money order to:
        Office of Secretary of State
        Corporations Division
        2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
        Suite 313 West Tower
        Atlanta, Georgia 30334

      Processing Time: 15 business days; Processing in 2 business days costs an additional $100. Processing in the same business day (if submitted before noon on a weekday) costs an additional $250. Processing in one hour costs an additional $1,000.

    • Register in person

      Registering in person provides you with additional expediting options

      1. Either draft your own Articles of Organization, or download and fill out the Articles of Organization for LLC (CD 030) form from the Georgia Secretary of State website.
      2. Download and fill out the Transmittal Form — Limited Liability Companies (231) from the Georgia Secretary of State website.
      3. Submitthe completed Articles of Organization, transmittal, form, and $110 filing fee to the Secretary of State's Corporations Division.
        Office of Secretary of State
        Corporations Division
        2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
        Suite 313 West Tower
        Atlanta, Georgia 30334

      Processing Time: Varies; Processing in 2 business days costs an additional $100. Processing in the same business day (if submitted before noon on a weekday) costs an additional $250. Processing in one hour costs an additional $1,000.

  • Next Steps

    • Provided all of your information is valid and your name has not been taken, you will receive your articles of organization within the specified processing time.
    • Each year, you must file an annual registration for your LLC between January 1 and April 1. If you do not, your LLC will be administratively dissolved for failure to file your annual registration.
    • It is important to note that registering with the Georgia Secretary of State is not the only step you will need to take before you can start doing business in the State of Georgia.
  • Get Prepared
  • Gather What You'll Need
  • Next Steps

Georgia Secretary of State About

Visit

237 Coliseum Drive Macon
Macon, GA 31217-3858

Primary
(404) 656-2817
Press Office
(470) 312-2733
Fax
(404) 656-0513

[emailprotected]

Mail to

2 MLK Jr. Dr. S.E. - Floyd W. Tower
Suite 814
Atlanta, GA 30344

More Resources

Related Services

  • Register a Limited Partnership with Georgia Secretary of State

  • Register a Business with Georgia Department of Labor

  • Register a Business with Georgia Department of Revenue

  • Reserve a Business Name with Georgia Secretary of State

  • Renew an LLC

Disclaimer: General This information was prepared as a public service of the State of Georgia to provide general information, not to advise on any specific legal problem. It is not, and cannot be construed to be, legal advice. If you have questions regarding any matter contained on this page, please contact the related agency.

Register an LLC with Georgia Secretary of State (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to register an LLC in Georgia? ›

Fill out the required information about your business entity (listed above). Pay the $100 filing fee by approved credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in Georgia? ›

The Georgia Secretary of State takes seven business days to process an LLC filed online. Paper filings take up to 15 business days. For an additional $100, the processing time can be done in two business days. Same-day processing is an additional $250.

Do I have to register my LLC every year in Georgia? ›

You must file an annual registration for your LLC with the Secretary of State every year.

Does an LLC need a business license in Georgia? ›

But good news: Georgia doesn't require a general license to do business in the state. Meaning, your Georgia LLC doesn't need a general state business license.

What is the cheapest way to get an LLC in Georgia? ›

What's the Cheapest Way To Form an LLC in Georgia? For entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC in Georgia, ZenBusiness provides the most cost-effective option with its $0 + state fee package. The state filing fee in Georgia is $100, making the total cost $100 when using ZenBusiness.

What are the disadvantages of an LLC in Georgia? ›

Some common drawbacks you could face include:
  • Tax Treatment Disadvantages. When a Georgia LLC selects either C corporation or S corporation taxation, it becomes subject to the Corporate Income Tax and the Net Worth Tax. ...
  • A Certain Level of Complexity. ...
  • Registration Expenses. ...
  • Registered Agent. ...
  • No Issuing Share Stock.

How hard is it to get a LLC in Georgia? ›

You'll need to file an Articles of Organization with the Georgia secretary of state. You'll need to pay $100 if you'll be filing online or $110 if you'll be mailing your forms. Filing your Articles of Organization takes anywhere from five to seven business days if you file online.

Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia? ›

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Georgia. However, after considering the requirements, most business owners elect to hire a registered agent service instead. Why? Well although being your own registered agent will cost you $0, an Georgia registered agent's name and address becomes part of the public record.

Do I need a certificate of status for my LLC in Georgia? ›

If you own a Limited Liability Company, C Corporation, or other registered business entity in Georgia and you want to open a business bank account, expand your business into another state, seek funds from investors, or conduct certain other business activities, you'll need to have a Certificate of Existence.

What taxes does LLC pay in Georgia? ›

The corporate Georgia LLC tax rate is six percent of Georgia taxable income. It is payable by the LLC if C corporation status is elected, and by the members if S corporation status is elected. The net worth tax is also assessed, if the net worth of the LLC is more than $100,000.

Does an LLC expire in Georgia? ›

Renew an LLC

You must file an annual registration for your limited liability company (LLC) every year.

Is a control number the same as an EIN? ›

A name control is established by the IRS when the taxpayer requests an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The IRS creates the name control from the legal name listed on the Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Do I need an EIN for my LLC? ›

An LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN. An LLC applies for an EIN by filing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Do I need an EIN in Georgia? ›

Sole proprietors will have to file their income taxes as an individual but will collect and pay other taxes in the same manner as other businesses. Obtain your federal employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS. You cannot proceed without it.

Does Georgia allow single member LLC? ›

Every Georgia SMLLC must have a registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or business that agrees to accept legal papers on behalf of the SMLLC. The registered agent can be an individual Georgia resident or a domestic or foreign corporation authorized to do business in Georgia.

How much tax does an LLC pay in Georgia? ›

The corporate Georgia LLC tax rate is six percent of Georgia taxable income. It is payable by the LLC if C corporation status is elected, and by the members if S corporation status is elected. The net worth tax is also assessed, if the net worth of the LLC is more than $100,000.

Do I need an EIN for an LLC? ›

An LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN. An LLC applies for an EIN by filing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Can I be my own registered agent in GA? ›

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Georgia. However, after considering the requirements, most business owners elect to hire a registered agent service instead. Why? Well although being your own registered agent will cost you $0, an Georgia registered agent's name and address becomes part of the public record.

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