Last Updated on February 5, 2022
To get started, either create a user account with the Georgia Secretary of State or download the Georgia LLC Articles of Organization (Form CD030) and the Transmittal Form (Form 231).
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Step 1: Create the Entity
When filing an LLC that is based in Georgia, select “Create or Register a Business,” then select “I am creating a new domestic business” and then “Domestic Limited Liability Company.” Registering a Foreign LLC is used when a business formed in another state wants to do business in another state.
Step 2: Business Name
If you have previously registered the business name with the Secretary of State, select “Yes” for the question Do you have a Business Name Reservation Number? Name registration isn’t required before filing for an LLC.
Select a name for your LLC. Remember that the LLC’s name has to differ from other entity names in the state of Georgia. Check on available LLC names in Georgia. There are optional forms for a 2nd and 3rd name choice if the first name isn’t available.
Last, the legal name of the LLC must include one of the following at the end of the business name:
-
- Limited Liability Company
- Limited Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Limited Company
- Limited Co.
- Ltd. Company
- Ltd. Co.
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- L.C.
- LC
Certain words are not allowed to be used in the name of an LLC without prior approval. Some of these words include bank, credit union, insurance, assurance, indemnity, surety, fidelity, reassurance, reinsurance, college, or university.
Step 3: Business Purpose
This section is used to classify the industry the business operates in. If you choose to list your business industry, select a NAICS Code from the drop-down menu.
The NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code is a six-digit number that classifies and categorizes different businesses. This information is used in reporting statistical data for each of the industries in the U.S. Remember this number as you will need it when filing annual tax returns. Find your NAICS number here.
If your business activities aren’t specifically listed, but you want to answer, select the industry that is the closest or “Any Legal Purpose.”
Step 4: Principal Office
In this section, enter the street address, city, state, zip code, and country of the initial principal office. This address can be the LLC’s physical address, the address where the business records are kept, or the address of the Registered Agent. You may not use a PO Box for the principal office.
Step 5: Business Email
Enter the email address where the notice of the LLCs approval should be sent.
Step 6: Registered Agent
To have an LLC in Georgia, a Registered Agent must be identified for service of process. The Registered Agent is either a Georgia resident or a corporate agent registered with the state of Georgia. The agent must have a physical address in the state to act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. on behalf of the LLC.
If the Registered Agent is an individual, note that a message that says “No data found” will appear when you type their name. When that happens, a button will be created that will allow you to create a registered agent and enter their contact information.
You can act as your own registered agent in Georgia and you are not required to pay for a registered agent.
Step 7: Organizer Information
An LLC Organizer is someone involved with the formation of the Articles of Organization. The Organizer may or may not become a member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but the initial members will all be listed as organizers.
Learn more about who can be an LLC Organizer.
Step 8: Optional Provisions
This is an optional section and not used by most LLCs. Here you would include additional rules for the operation of the LLC.
Step 9: Filer’s Certification
Click on the box that states the filer agrees to the terms.
The next area asks about the effective date of the LLC. By default, the LLC is effective on the date submitted. If you prefer to have the LLC officially start at a later date (up to 90 days), enter that date in this field.
Last, one of the members/owners (choose Member) or organizers (choose Organizer) will enter their full name.
Step 10: Review
Review the information to ensure it is all correct.
Step 11: Pay and File
Pay and file the Georgia Articles of Organization.
If mailing, send the form and a check or money order payable to the Georgia Secretary of State to:
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
If you have questions, contact the Georgia Secretary of State at 404-565-2817 or
http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/corporations