Key Takeaways

  • Filing the Georgia Articles of Organization establishes your LLC with the Secretary of State.
  • The filing fee is $100, and processing is faster online (7 business days) compared to mail (12–15 business days).
  • Your LLC name must include “LLC” or a variation and be distinguishable from other registered businesses.
  • A registered agent with a Georgia address is required to receive legal and tax documents.
  • Although not required, an Operating Agreement is strongly recommended to clarify roles and ownership.
  • LLCs may need additional licenses, permits, and a federal EIN depending on business activities.
  • Annual registration costs $50 and must be filed between January 1 and April 1 each year.
  • Foreign LLCs doing business in Georgia must register with the Secretary of State before operating.
  • Other important considerations include expedited filing options, publication requirements, and record-keeping best practices.

Georgia LLC Articles of Organization General Information

The Articles of Organization Georgia is the name of the document filed with the governing agency in the state that establishes your LLC. You must file the Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division or Secretary of State in Georgia to form an LLC. In order to create an LLC in Georgia, you must file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, Division of Corporations.

Articles of Organization filing can be done online or by mail. The fee to file Articles of Organization in Georgia is $100, whether you file online or by mail. The time for approval when you file by mail is 12-15 business days. The time for approval when you file online is seven business days. The approval time is shorter and the process is easier when you file your LLC's Articles of Organization online. Prior to filing your LLC, make sure to choose a registered agent and search existing LLC names in the state.

Georgia LLC Formation Requirements

When filing the Georgia Articles of Organization, you must include specific details required by state law. These generally include:

  • The LLC’s legal name and principal office address.
  • The name and physical street address of the registered agent.
  • The names and addresses of the organizer(s) filing the document.
  • The mailing address for official correspondence.
  • Optional provisions, such as management structure or special limitations, which can be added for clarity.

While the form is relatively short, accuracy is critical because errors may delay approval. The Secretary of State accepts both online and mailed filings, but online submission is recommended for faster processing.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 1. Choose a Name for Your LLC

The laws in Georgia require that all operating LLCs have “LLC”, “Limited Company”, “L.L.C.”, or “Limited Liability Company” in the name. The name of an LLC has to be distinguishable, or different from any other business name that already exists with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State in Georgia.

Search for existing LLC names at either of these sites:

Before you file, you can reserve the name of your LLC for up to 30 days. Reserving the name requires payment of a $25 fee and can be done by visiting the Secretary of State website or downloading the form and filling it out by hand. You can file for an LLC without reserving the name.

Name Restrictions and Availability Rules

In addition to including “LLC” or its variations, Georgia prohibits names that may confuse the public with government agencies (e.g., “FBI” or “Treasury”) or imply unauthorized professional services. Certain industries, such as banking, insurance, or engineering, may require additional licensing before approval.

To avoid rejection, check availability through the Georgia Secretary of State’s business search tool and consider reserving your name for 30 days if you are not ready to file immediately.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 2. Designate a Registered Agent

All LLCs operating in the state of Georgia are required to have a registered agent. The LLC's registered agent is a business or individual that accepts legal documents on behalf of the company, such as if the LLC is sued. In order to serve as the Registered Agent, the business entity or person must have a physical address in the state of Georgia and be authorized to serve the needs of the business. Visit https://www.llcuniversity.com/georgia-llc/registered-agent/ to choose a Registered Agent for your Georgia LLC.

Registered Agent Duties in Georgia

Your Georgia registered agent must maintain a physical office in the state and be available during normal business hours. Their responsibilities include:

  • Accepting service of process if the LLC is sued.
  • Receiving tax notices, compliance correspondence, and annual registration reminders.
  • Ensuring timely delivery of legal documents to the LLC.

Failure to maintain a registered agent may lead to administrative dissolution of the LLC by the Secretary of State.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 3. Create an Operating Agreement

Although the state of Georgia doesn't require an operating agreement for an LLC, using one is highly recommended.

Why an Operating Agreement Matters

Although not filed with the state, an Operating Agreement helps establish clear rules for ownership, voting rights, distributions, and succession planning. It can prevent disputes by defining how profits are divided, what happens if a member exits, and how decisions are made. Without one, Georgia LLCs default to state law, which may not reflect the owners’ intentions.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 4. Follow All Regulatory and Tax Requirements

Your LLC may also be subject to other regulatory and tax requirements, such as those imposed by the Georgia Department of Revenue, as well as holding a business license and an EIN, or Employer Identification Number. Even if members don't plan to hire employees, an LLC with more than a single member must have an EIN from the IRS.

For an LLC with just one member, you will need an EIN to have corporation taxation instead of a disregarded entity, or sole proprietorship, or if you plan to hire employees. An LLC may also need additional state and local business licenses, based on the location and business type. For example, you would need to register the LLC with the state Revenue Department if you sell goods and collect sales tax, or you plan to hire employees.

Business Licenses and Permits in Georgia

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need local or state-level licenses. Common examples include:

  • Sales tax permits for businesses selling goods.
  • Professional licenses for regulated fields such as healthcare, accounting, or legal services.
  • County or city business licenses for operating within a municipality.

Checking with both the Georgia Department of Revenue and your local county or city government ensures you remain compliant.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 5. File an Annual Registration

Any LLC operating in the state of Georgia must pay an annual fee of $50 and file a registration every year with the Secretary of State. You must start filing the registration form between January 1 and April 1 in the year after the year you filed the initial registration form. The annual form is available on the Secretary of State website.

Penalties for Late or Missed Filings

Missing the annual registration deadline may result in late fees or administrative dissolution of your LLC. If dissolved, your company name could become available for other businesses to register. To avoid issues, many business owners opt for email reminders or hire compliance services that track deadlines and automatically file on their behalf.

Filing Instructions for Georgia LLC Articles of Organization: 6. Foreign LLCs Operating in Georgia

If your LLC will do any type of business in Georgia, you will have to register with the Secretary of State, even if your company is located outside the state.

Expedited Filing Options

For business owners needing faster processing, Georgia offers expedited services for Articles of Organization:

  • $100 standard filing (7–15 business days depending on submission method).
  • $250 expedited filing (processed within 2 business days).
  • $1,000 same-day service, available if submitted before noon.

Expedited requests must be clearly marked and paid for at the time of submission.

Recordkeeping and Compliance Best Practices

Once your Georgia LLC is established, good recordkeeping is essential for long-term compliance and liability protection. Best practices include:

  • Maintaining copies of Articles of Organization, amendments, and annual registrations.
  • Keeping financial records, meeting minutes, and contracts organized.
  • Retaining proof of tax filings and correspondence with government agencies.

Georgia does not require LLCs to hold annual meetings, but documenting major decisions helps preserve limited liability protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much does it cost to file Georgia Articles of Organization? The filing fee is $100, whether filed online or by mail. Expedited options are available for additional fees.
  2. How long does it take to get an LLC approved in Georgia? Online filings are typically processed within 7 business days, while mailed filings take 12–15 business days. Expedited processing is available.
  3. Do I need an Operating Agreement for a Georgia LLC? It is not required by law but strongly recommended to outline ownership and management rules.
  4. Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia? Yes, as long as you are over 18, have a physical Georgia address, and are available during business hours.
  5. What happens if I don’t file the annual registration? Failure to file results in late fees and potential administrative dissolution of your LLC by the Secretary of State.

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