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Register a business in Georgia
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Georgia. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Georgia entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Georgia LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (Form CD 030). Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- The service charge applies to online, paper-online and mail filings alike. Expedited service costs extra. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Service charge: $10 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Expedited service, two-day (extra): $120 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Expedited service, same-day (extra): $275 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Georgia corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- The service charge applies to online, paper-online and mail filings alike. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Service charge: $10 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Corporations and LLCs file an annual registration between January 1 and April 1. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Annual registration filing fee: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Service charge: $10 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Late penalty: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A Georgia trade name (DBA) is filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the business is located, and published in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks. State of Georgia (georgia.gov), as of
State tax registration
- Georgia businesses register for tax accounts online through the Georgia Tax Center (Department of Revenue). The account number is emailed within about 15 minutes. Georgia Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Georgia public pools need an operating permit and a trained operator who has completed an approved course (Chapter 511-3-5). Georgia Department of Public Health, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
- Almost every Georgia business also needs a city or county business licence. Some trades are licensed by the state. Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Sources
- How to Guide: Register a Domestic Entity Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- How to File Annual Registration Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- File for a DBA (Doing Business As) State of Georgia (georgia.gov). As of .
- Register a New Business in Georgia Georgia Department of Revenue. As of .
- Public Swimming Pools, Spas, and Recreational Water Parks (Ch. 511-3-5) Georgia Department of Public Health. As of .
- First Stop Business Information Center Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked