Key Takeaways:

  • A Georgia registered agent is a required third-party entity or individual responsible for receiving legal and state correspondence for an LLC or corporation.
  • Registered agents must have a physical address in Georgia and be available during business hours.
  • Responsibilities include receiving service of process, government notices, and tax forms and forwarding them promptly to the business owner.
  • Privacy protection is a significant reason many businesses opt for third-party registered agents.
  • Fees for professional registered agents range from $20 to $100+ per year, depending on services offered.
  • Changing a registered agent in Georgia requires filing an amendment or an annual registration update with the Secretary of State.
  • Business owners can act as their own registered agents but should consider potential privacy concerns and availability issues.
  • Failure to maintain a registered agent could result in penalties, loss of good standing, or involuntary dissolution of the LLC.

Registered Agent for LLC in Georgia

A registered agent for LLC in Georgia is a third party who will accept and send important legal papers on behalf of your LLC. Obtaining a registered agent for your Georgia LLC is required. All Georgia registered agents must have a physical office in the state and be available during normal business hours (generally between 9-5p.m.).

Why Do You Need a Georgia Registered Agent?

The Georgia Secretary of State mandates that all businesses, including LLCs and corporations, designate a registered agent to ensure proper delivery of legal notices and compliance documents. The primary reasons a business needs a registered agent include:

  • Legal Compliance: The registered agent ensures the business remains in good standing by handling time-sensitive state and federal documents.
  • Lawsuit Notifications: If your business is sued, the registered agent receives and forwards the legal paperwork.
  • Privacy Protection: Using a professional service prevents personal addresses from being listed on public records.
  • Flexibility: A registered agent must be available during normal business hours. Using a service provider allows business owners to focus on operations rather than being tied to a specific location.
  • Business Expansion: If a company operates in multiple states, having a registered agent in each state simplifies legal compliance.

What Does a Registered Agent Do?

The agent will send and receive official LLC documentation on behalf of your Georgia LLC. Thereafter, the agent will send you the papers so you are aware of any potential pending lawsuits. As previously noted, the agent must have a physical address in the state where they can receive legal documents. Furthermore, the address must not be a P.O. Box, but rather an actual physical address where the agent will be located during normal business hours. The reason for this is because the agent must be physically present in order to be served legal papers if a lawsuit arises.

Service of process can include the delivery of a complaint, summons, or subpoena. Once the agent receives such documentation, he or she must reach out to you identifying the type of documentation that was received.

Requirements for Georgia Registered Agents

The agent can be either a person who resides in the state or a corporation (domestic or foreign) that is registered to do business in the state of Georgia. Georgia doesn’t limit the type of business that can act as a registered agent. Therefore, the agent can be a corporation, another LLC, nonprofit, partnership, etc.

Cost of a Georgia Registered Agent

The cost of hiring a registered agent in Georgia varies based on the level of service provided. Here’s what businesses can expect:

  • Free (Self-Appointment): Business owners can act as their own registered agent at no cost.
  • Basic Registered Agent Services: Typically range from $20 to $100 per year, providing essential document handling.
  • Premium Services: Some companies charge $150–$300 per year and offer added benefits like same-day document scanning, compliance reminders, and legal support.

It’s crucial to compare different providers based on service offerings, privacy features, and reputation before making a decision.

Information Your Georgia Registered Agent Should Know

Your registered agent should be aware of the following LLC formalities:

• It costs $100 to file the Georgia LLC Articles of Organization

• The registered agent’s name, address, and signature must be on the Articles of Organization

• The document itself has a five to twelve day turnaround processing time

• You can appoint a registered agent online

• If you are a foreign LLC, it will cost you $225 to file the Articles of Organization

•The registered agent must be listed on the certificate of authority

How to Send Legal Papers to Another Business

If you want to send legal papers to another business through its registered agent, you can send a certified letter directly to the business’s registered agent at the registered agent's address. You can go to the Georgia Secretary of State website and type in the business’s name. In the results page, you’ll be able to find the registered agent name and address.

How to Appoint a Georgia Registered Agent

Appointing a registered agent for your Georgia LLC or corporation is a simple process:

  1. Choose a Registered Agent: The agent must meet Georgia’s legal requirements, including having a physical address in the state.
  2. Include Agent Information in Business Formation Documents: When filing the Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation), you must provide the agent’s name and address.
  3. Obtain Agent Consent: The registered agent must officially consent to their role, as required by Georgia law.
  4. File With the Secretary of State: Submit your business formation documents online or by mail with the Georgia Secretary of State.

Existing businesses that need to appoint or change their registered agent must file an amendment or update their annual registration.

How to Change Your Georgia Registered Agent

You can change your registered agent by filing an annual registration with the Georgia Secretary of State. You can fill out the form on the website and submit it online or submit the form by mail to the Corporate Division. It could take up to two weeks to process the change if you mail it in, but the change will take immediate effect if you do it online.

What Happens If You Don’t Maintain a Registered Agent?

Failing to maintain a registered agent in Georgia can have serious legal and financial consequences, including:

  • Loss of Good Standing: The state may revoke your LLC’s or corporation’s ability to conduct business.
  • Involuntary Dissolution: If a registered agent is not maintained, the Secretary of State may dissolve your company.
  • Default Judgments: Missing important legal notices, such as lawsuits, can result in a judgment against your business.
  • State Penalties: Companies without a valid registered agent may face fines and penalties.

To avoid these risks, businesses should ensure that their registered agent information is always current and accurate.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, Georgia allows you to be your own registered agent as long as you live in the state. If you operate a multi-member LLC, you can also choose one of the member’s to act as the agent. The state also allows a family member or friend to act as the registered agent. But keep in mind that the agent’s address will go on file and will therefore become public information. This means any legal documents being served to your company will be hand delivered (Service of Process) to your personal address.

If you do hire a family member or friend to act as your registered agent, there could be some risks. For example, if Georgia can’t reach out to the agent, you might lose your good standing status, which could ultimately lead to the involuntary dissolution of your LLC. Furthermore, if service of process is unsuccessful, then a lawsuit could proceed without you even knowing.

Some reasons as to why service of process might not be successful could be due to the fact that the agent isn’t home during that time, he or she might be on vacation, or they may have moved. This is why it is important to ensure your agent makes you aware of when he or she is away on vacation or moving to another address. Both instances can make it very uncomfortable and difficult if you choose to hire a family member or friend as your registered agent.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Can I use a P.O. Box as my registered agent address?
    No, Georgia law requires a physical street address where the registered agent is available during business hours.
  2. Can a business entity act as its own registered agent?
    No, a business entity cannot serve as its own registered agent. However, an LLC owner or officer can act as the registered agent.
  3. Do I need a registered agent for a foreign LLC in Georgia?
    Yes, foreign LLCs must appoint a registered agent in Georgia to conduct business legally.
  4. How quickly can I change my registered agent in Georgia?
    Online filings are processed immediately, while mailed submissions can take up to two weeks.
  5. What are the benefits of hiring a professional registered agent service?
    Professional services offer privacy protection, compliance support, and document handling, ensuring businesses never miss critical deadlines.

If you need help choosing a registered agent for your Georgia LLC, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel’s marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.