Georgia LLC

By the end, you'll understand Georgia's fees, timelines, and annual compliance requirements so you can launch your LLC with confidence.

1. Name Your Georgia LLC

Naming your business can be challenging. You need a name that's unique, easy to remember, and conveys what your business does. To choose a name, you can try a few different methods:

Decide on a Business Concept: Before you name your LLC, you need a clear idea of what your business will do.
Ask People You Know for Suggestions: Reach out to people whose opinions you value and trust. Explain your business concept and ask for their thoughts on a name.
Do a Web Search: Once you have a few name ideas, check their online presence. Is the domain name available? Are there companies with similar names that could create confusion?
Use an Online Business Name Generator: They can provide inspiration and help you think about your business from different angles. Keep in mind, though, that these generators can't replace human creativity and may not understand the nuances of your business as well as you do.

Your business name is your business identity, and the first impression people will have of your company, so be sure to take your time with this step and get it right.

Once you have a few business name ideas, ensure they're available. First, do a business name search on the Georgia Corporations Division website. You should also search for similar business names, as you don't want a name that can be easily confused with other businesses in Georgia.

Also, check Georgia's Name Availability Standards to ensure you comply.

Georgia LLC Naming Requirements

Must include "limited liability company" or an abbreviation (LLC or L.L.C.)
Cannot have words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency
Must be distinguishable from all other business names in the state
Cannot include words like bank, insurance, or university without state approval

Next, check with the US Patent and Trademark Office to ensure the name is not trademarked and is available nationally.

Tips for Choosing a Georgia LLC Name

Once confirmed, it's a good idea to reserve the name.

To reserve an LLC name in Georgia:

Visit the Corporations Division website, select online services, and register for an account.
Select "Name Reservation" to complete the online application.

The form requires:

Three business name choices
Your name and address
Electronic signature

Payment can be made online. Alternatively, you can complete and mail a paper form.

Fee: $35
Reservation Period: 30 days

Doing Business As (DBA)

You may want to do business under a name other than your LLC name. This is called a trade name in Georgia.

Reasons to use a DBA:

Add new product lines (e.g., "JJ's Waffles" expanding to "JJ's Muffins").
Open a business bank account under the DBA name.

Registering a trade name in Georgia:

Visit your county's clerk of the superior court's website (directory available online).

Provide:

Desired trade name
Nature of the business
Names and addresses of owners
Notarized signatures of owners
Filing fee and notice publishing (varies by county)

Publication Requirement:

Publish your trade name registration in the local newspaper at least once a week for two consecutive weeks.
Must use the newspaper the sheriff's office uses for legal ads.
Keep a copy of the Publisher's Affidavit as proof.

2. Select a Registered Agent

Georgia requires LLCs to appoint a registered agent, a person or company authorized to accept official business correspondence (legal, tax, or financial documents).

Requirements for Georgia Registered Agent

18 years or older
Physical address in Georgia
Available during normal business hours
Registered to operate in Georgia if a business

Many business owners hire a registered agent service for compliance and convenience. If you serve as your own agent, you must be available at the registered address during business hours.

3. Determine Your Management Structure

LLCs can be member-managed or manager-managed:

Member-Managed

Members handle all management duties.

Manager-Managed

Non-member employees oversee operations. A member can also be a manager, but must cooperate with a non-member manager.

Notes:

Member-managed is best for small LLCs where all members actively participate.
Manager-managed works for LLCs with multiple members, some of whom are passive.
In Georgia, an LLC is considered member-managed if not specified otherwise in the Articles of Organization.

4. File Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State

To form your LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division.

Information Required

LLC name
Registered agent information
Registered office address
Organizer name and address

Filing Fee: $100
Processing Time: ~7 days

Contact Information:
Georgia Corporations Division
2 MLK, Jr. Dr., Suite 313, Floyd West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334-1530
Phone: (404) 656-2817

5. Draft an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement outlines ownership and member duties.

Required in Georgia? No, but recommended for legal protection and clarity.

Typical Elements

LLC name and principal address
Duration of LLC
Registered agent information
Membership details
Management and voting rules
Financial matters (profit/loss division)
Changes and amendments
Dispute resolution and policies
Recordkeeping and communication

Templates are available online, but attorney review is recommended.

6. Get Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN identifies your business for tax purposes. Required if:

Multi-member LLC
Hiring employees

Responsible Party: Must be a natural person controlling the entity's funds (SSN, ITIN, or EIN required).

Apply via the IRS website.

7. Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

Licenses depend on business type and location:

Federal: OSHA, health, and industry-specific permits
State: Professional and industry licenses

Local:

Building/zoning permits
DBA permits
Health, fire, and sign permits

Tip: Consult a business attorney or service like MyCorporation to ensure compliance.

8. Determine Your Tax Status

Default: Pass-through entity. Profits/losses reported on personal returns.

Single-Member LLC

Taxed as a sole proprietorship. Pay self-employment taxes.

Multi-Member LLC

Taxed as a partnership. File Form 1065; members report income on personal returns.

Corporate Election Options

C-Corp: Pays corporate tax (21% federal), dividends taxed separately (double taxation).
S-Corp: Income passes through; members must take reasonable salary subject to payroll tax, but extra profits avoid self-employment taxes.

Other Requirements

Open a Business Bank Account

Keep personal and business finances separate.

Business Credit Card

Helps establish credit and manage startup costs.

Insurance

Types include:

General liability
Professional liability (E&O)
Workers' compensation
Property, equipment, and business property insurance
Commercial auto
Business Owner's Policy (BOP)

LLC Records

Keep formation documents, operating agreements, contracts, and financial/legal documents safe.

Annual Registration

File annual registration with Georgia Secretary of State by April 1
Fee: $50

Georgia LLC FAQs

Requirement	Cost
Name Reservation Fee	$25
LLC Registration Fee	$100
Business License Fees	Vary by localities and type of business
DBA fee	Varies by county
Annual Report Fee	$50

Visit the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division Business Search online, enter the LLC's name or control number, and view its status and filing information.

File a Trade Name (DBA) with the Superior Court clerk in your LLC's county, pay the local fee (≈ $170), then publish the notice in the county's legal-organ newspaper once a week for two weeks and keep the publisher's affidavit.

Online filings are approved in about 7–10 business days, while paper filings take roughly 15 business days (around 4–5 weeks including mail); optional expedited service cuts processing to 2 days, same day, or even 1 hour for extra fees.

Submit your LLC's Annual Registration online via Georgia eCorp between Jan 1 and Apr 1: log in, select "File Annual Registration," confirm or edit registered-agent and principal-office details, and pay the $50 fee ($60 if mailed). Online filings post immediately.

By default, an LLC is a pass-through entity, so it does not pay state income tax—the members report income on their personal returns. The LLC must file an annual registration and pay a $50 fee each year. If the LLC elects corporate taxation, it pays Georgia's corporate income tax. LLCs with employees also withhold payroll taxes, and those selling taxable goods or services collect and remit sales tax.

Yes. You can serve as your own registered agent if you're at least 18, have a physical street address in Georgia (no P.O. Boxes), and are available there during normal business hours to receive legal documents.

No. Georgia law does not mandate an operating agreement, but it's strongly recommended to document each member's rights, duties, and ownership interests.

Georgia has no statewide license—your LLC just needs the city or county "business/occupational tax certificate" plus any state-level professional or industry permits that apply.

How to Start Your Own LLC in Georgia