Start an LLC in Georgia in Just 5 Steps
You’ll need to register your business with the Georgia secretary of state. It can cost you anywhere from $110 to $300 to form your Georgia LLC.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Updated · 5 min read
Written by
Editor & Content Strategist 
Edited by
Managing Editor 
Co-written by
If you’re launching a small business in Georgia, you’ll need to decide what type of business entity structure your company should have. Limited liability company (LLC) is a popular structure among small-business owners. It offers flexibility, tax advantages and simpler requirements than a corporation. This guide explains how to form an LLC in Georgia with step-by-step instructions.
ADVERTISEMENT
ZenBusiness ZenBusiness: Fast & Simple LLC
Annual Fee
$0 How to start an LLC in Georgia
To create an LLC in Georgia, you’ll need to register your business with the Georgia secretary of state. This is who defines the rules and procedures for LLC formation in the state.
Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC
The first decision you’ll have to make is what to name your business.
Name requirements
Like most states, Georgia does have some requirements when it comes to naming a business. First, the name of your LLC must be distinguishable from other businesses that are registered with the Georgia secretary of state. In addition, the name must end with one of the following words:
- Limited liability company.
- Limited company.
- LLC, L.L.C., LC or L.C.
You can abbreviate limited as “Ltd.” or “Ltd.” and company as “Co” or “Co.”
The use of certain words in your company name is prohibited and requires special approval from the state. These include words associated with insurance, banking and education. You also can’t use words like “corporation” or “limited partnership,” which could suggest that the company is another type of business entity.
Georgia’s LLC statute allows licensed professionals, like doctors and lawyers, to form LLCs. In some other states, there are restrictions on the types of businesses that professionals can start, but there’s no limitation in Georgia. Georgia doesn’t recognize the professional limited liability company (PLLC) as a legal business structure. Professionals can, however, form a professional corporation (PC).
Name reservations
Once you narrow down a name for your business, you can head over to Georgia’s business search website to see if the name is available. If it is, you can reserve the business name for up to 30 days by submitting a name reservation request form, either online or by mail. There’s a $35 fee for name reservation in Georgia.
Keep in mind that reserving a name doesn’t guarantee that the name conforms to trademark laws or federal laws. If you have any doubt about a name’s suitability, it’s best to consult a lawyer.
Trade names
Unlike many states, Georgia does not require statewide “doing business as” (DBA) filings. However, if your business operates under a trade name that’s different from your business’s legal name, then you’ll need to file a registration statement with your county’s superior court clerk.
Step 2: Select a registered agent
The next step to LLC formation is to choose a registered agent for your Georgia LLC. A registered agent is a person or organization that accepts official mail and service of process on your company’s behalf. If the state or a legal claimant needs to contact you, they will use the registered agent’s address, which is called the registered office.
A member of the LLC can serve as the registered agent. But for practical purposes, most companies use a business attorney or registered agent service. If you use an individual as your registered agent, they must be a resident of Georgia and available to accept mail during normal business hours. Every registered agent must maintain a registered office in Georgia with a physical address (no P.O. boxes).
Many online legal services offer a registered agent service. Some, like CorpNet, even offer a limited period of registered agent service for free.
Step 3: File your LLC articles of organization
Until you file your articles of organization, your Georgia LLC isn’t officially set up yet. The articles of organization contain basic formation and contact information for your company and allow your company to operate in the state. You can file the articles of organization online or by mail, along with a filing fee of $110.
The appropriate form for domestic LLCs is Form CD 030. Compared with other states, Georgia’s articles of organization document is very short. All you need to include is the LLC’s name, the effective date and the signature of the person filling out the form. That could be a member, manager, lawyer for the LLC or another organizer.
Business owners who choose to submit the articles of organization by mail will also need to file a completed transmittal form. The transmittal form contains more information about the company, including the:
- Legal name.
- Business address.
- Member names and addresses.
- Registered agent information.
Your business officially starts on the day that the secretary of state receives your articles of organization. The secretary of state will process your filing and issue a certificate of organization. Online processing typically takes around seven business days. Mail-in processing can take up to 15 business days.
If you formed an LLC in a different state and now want to operate in Georgia, most of the same rules apply, but you’re considered a foreign LLC. In this case, you’ll need to fill out a different form in lieu of the traditional articles of organization. This form is Form CD 241-Application for Certificate of Authority. The filing fee for foreign LLCs looking to do business in Georgia is $235.
Step 4: Obtain Georgia business licenses and permits
Georgia does not have a general business license. Instead, you’ll need to determine which local entity regulates business licenses. Your local chamber of commerce can usually point you in the right direction. Georgia publishes a directory of all the state’s chambers so you can easily locate yours.
Certain professional industries, like healthcare, construction and transportation, require special licensing. Georgia’s licensing division holds the resources you’ll need to apply for and renew any professional business licenses.
Step 5: Draft an LLC operating agreement
Next up on your list is to create an LLC operating agreement. Although Georgia doesn’t require LLCs to have an operating agreement, you should consider this an essential step. An LLC operating agreement lays out the rights, responsibilities and profit and loss shares of each owner in an LLC. Even if you have a single-member LLC, an operating agreement is highly recommended because it summarizes the operating procedures of the LLC. This is where you turn to document your meeting schedule, voting rights and tax preferences.
Maintaining good standing for your Georgia LLC
Well done! You’ve now completed the necessary steps to start your LLC in Georgia. Read on to learn about the steps you should take to ensure your business remains in good standing.
Pay taxes and comply with other state requirements
Taxes for a Georgia LLC depend on how the LLC’s members choose to be taxed. By default, LLCs are taxed as sole proprietorships (if single-member) or partnerships (if multi-member), in which case business income and losses are reported on each business owner’s personal tax return. Each business owner pays Georgia income taxes on its share of the business profits.
If the LLC chooses to be taxed as a corporation, then the LLC will have to pay an annual state corporate tax. LLCs taxed as corporations also may have to pay a net worth tax based on the assets of the company.
But it’s not just income taxes that a company has to pay. Georgia businesses with employees also should be prepared to pay payroll taxes, including unemployment insurance. The Georgia unemployment insurance rates range from 0.04% to 8.10% on the first $9,500 of wages. But new employers start at a rate of 2.70%.
LLCs with three or more employees will also need to apply for workers’ compensation insurance.
If you sell taxable goods, then you’re also responsible for paying sales and use tax.
File annual registration report
Georgia LLCs must file an annual registration statement with the secretary of state. The purpose of this annual filing is to ensure that your business address, registered agent and registered office information are up to date. The annual registration statement is due between Jan. 1 and April 1 of each year (the first statement is due the calendar year following your year of formation). You must either file your registration statement online or print a form from the website to mail in. The filing fee for annual registration is $60.
Once you submit your registration statement, if any relevant business information changes (e.g. such as your registered agent), you must submit an amended annual registration statement with a $30 fee.
Comply with federal requirements
LLCs organized in Georgia must comply not only with state requirements but also with federal requirements. For example, LLCs taxed as corporations and any LLC with employees must apply for a federal employer identification number (EIN) for tax purposes.
You’ll also need to pay federal income taxes and payroll taxes. Federal income taxes differ based on whether the LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity or corporation. If your LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, federal law allows you to deduct 20% of your LLC’s income before paying personal income taxes on any business profits. This is called the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. Corporations are taxed at a flat 21%.
Federal payroll taxes cover Social Security and Medicare. LLC members typically have to pay the employer and employee share of these taxes — called self-employment taxes — on any distributions from the business. They also have to withhold payroll taxes from employees and pay the employer tax on employee wages.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Georgia?
If you’re wondering how much it may cost you to start your Georgia LLC, see the list of common fees below. For straightforward registration, you can pay as little as $110 to file your articles of organization and start operating. But if your business needs are more complex, you could be looking at closer to $300 total.
- $110 for articles of organization.
- $35 for a name reservation.
- $30 for articles of amendment.
- $235 for a certificate of authority (for foreign LLC).
Not sure if an LLC is the right business entity type for you? Take our quick quiz below to find your business structure match.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
