Key Takeaways

  • Every Georgia LLC must appoint and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state (P.O. boxes aren’t allowed).
  • A registered agent in Georgia ensures that your LLC receives official state correspondence, tax forms, and legal documents like subpoenas or lawsuits.
  • Businesses can choose between an individual agent (such as an LLC member) or a commercial registered agent service.
  • If an LLC fails to maintain a valid registered agent, the Georgia Secretary of State may assume that role temporarily, potentially delaying legal notices.
  • Changing or updating agent details can be done by filing an annual registration or amendment with the Georgia Secretary of State.
  • Professional registered agent services in Georgia provide benefits such as privacy protection, document scanning and forwarding, and compliance monitoring.

A registered agent Georgia LLC is an appointed individual or company chosen to receive official legal documents sent to a limited liability company (LLC) in Georgia. 

Information on Registered Agents and Registered Offices

The owners or members of an LLC must choose a registered agent for their business before being able to file articles of organization with the secretary of state in Georgia. Official legal documents and other important mailings will be accepted by this individual or business chosen as the registered agent for the LLC. 

The following types of mailings are sent to registered agents for LLCs:

  • Tax documents 
  • Payment notices 
  • Legal documents (Service of Process)

Registered agents have to be easy to find for Service of Process deliverers, so they should keep standard business hours during the work week. 

Service of Process documents are very important and need to be immediately sent to the LLC once the registered agent receives them. These types of documents include the following:

  • Official complaints
  • Subpoenas 
  • Summons

The registered agent and registered office information will be included in the LLC's formation documents. A registered agent's address has to be in the same state that the LLC is registered in and has to be a physical street address (PO boxes are not allowed).

An online business search through the Georgia secretary of state website will show the information for an LLC's registered agent as the LLC files it in its documents.

Any legal documents will be served to the LLC's registered agent. It can cause the business embarrassment if these documents are served at the same address where the company conducts business. Home addresses should also be avoided for registered offices as people are not always home during business hours. 

If the registered agent needs to be changed or any information regarding the address or name needs to be updated, this can be done when the LLC submits an amendment with the annual registration. This will include the following information:

  • Name of the LLC
  • Current address for the registered office
  • Current name for the registered agent 
  • Information that needs to be updated for the registered agent

The Georgia secretary of state will become the designated registered agent for an LLC if the business does not provide registered agent information or if the information provided is incorrect. If Service of Process is sent to the LLC's registered agent address but the agent isn't available or the address is incorrect, the documents to be served will be forwarded to the secretary of state office.

When documents are forwarded to the secretary of state, a person who is designated to receive correspondence on behalf of LLCs will receive them.

If a plaintiff forwards documents meant for an LLC to the secretary of state, they will need to provide written certification that the Service of Process was first sent to the LLC's registered agent but could not be delivered. 

Georgia Registered Agent Requirements

To legally operate, every Georgia LLC must list a registered agent and registered office on its Articles of Organization. The agent can be either:

  • A Georgia resident who is 18 or older, or
  • A business entity authorized to do business in Georgia that provides registered agent services.

The registered office must meet these requirements:

  • Physical street address: P.O. boxes and virtual offices are not acceptable.
  • In-state presence: The address must be located within Georgia’s borders.
  • Availability during business hours: The agent must be present at the registered office during normal business hours to receive service of process.

Failure to maintain an active registered agent can lead to administrative dissolution of your LLC by the Georgia Secretary of State.

Georgia Registered Agents

Commercial registered agents are companies that are available for hire by LLCs to receive legal correspondence for the business. They can even fax or email received mail to the business for quicker delivery. With fees between $100 to $300 per year, these companies can be costly, but they are very reliable as registered agents for the LLC. 

Georgia registered agents are third-parties, which can be a person or other business entity chosen by LLC owners (also called members) to receive official mail for the business. 

Registered agents are a requirement for all LLCs in the state of Georgia. 

A registered agent should be able to do the following:

  • Receive important mail and deliveries during the regular hours of business throughout the week
  • Get the received mail to the business it is intended for in a timely manner
  • Have a physical street address (which will be the registered office) in that same state that the LLC does business 

The following are options for registered agents Georgia LLCs:

  • LLC owners or members 
  • LLC friends or family members 
  • Other businesses or organizations
  • Commercial registered agents

If a person wants to serve as a registered agent for an LLC in Georgia, they will need to be Georgia residents.  

The secretary of state office will send the annual report for an LLC to its registered office. 

Benefits of Using a Commercial Registered Agent

While LLC members can act as their own registered agent, many businesses prefer hiring a commercial registered agent to handle sensitive correspondence.Professional registered agents in Georgia offer several advantages:

  • Privacy: Keeps your home or office address off public records.
  • Reliability: Ensures someone is always available during business hours.
  • Fast notifications: Many agents provide same-day electronic forwarding of legal documents.
  • Compliance reminders: Helps businesses avoid late filings and penalties by tracking annual report deadlines and legal notices.
  • Multi-state convenience: If your business operates in several states, using a national agent simplifies compliance across jurisdictions.

Registered agent services typically charge $100–$300 per year, and major providers often include online dashboards for managing legal correspondence.

How to Appoint or Change a Registered Agent in Georgia

To appoint your registered agent, you must include their name and physical address on your LLC’s Articles of Organization when filing with the Georgia Secretary of State.

If you need to change your registered agent:

  1. File an Amended Annual Registration form online through the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.
  2. Provide updated agent and address information.
  3. Pay a $20 filing fee (subject to change).

Changes take effect once approved and recorded in the state’s business database.

Penalties for Failing to Maintain a Registered Agent

Georgia law requires that all LLCs maintain a valid registered agent at all times.If your business does not have one—or if your agent cannot be reached—the state may:

  • Treat the LLC as noncompliant and suspend good standing,
  • Forward all legal correspondence to the Secretary of State’s office, and
  • Potentially trigger administrative dissolution if the issue isn’t corrected promptly.

Maintaining an active, reliable registered agent ensures your LLC receives critical notices without interruption.

Choosing the Right Georgia Registered Agent

When selecting a registered agent, consider:

  • Experience and reliability in handling sensitive legal matters.
  • Customer service—availability, responsiveness, and accuracy of document forwarding.
  • Online tools—portals for managing and tracking your legal mail.
  • Statewide coverage—important if your business expands within Georgia.
  • Reputation and reviews—choose a provider known for compliance and professionalism.

Notable providers include CT Corporation, Harbor Compliance, and Northwest Registered Agent, all of which maintain physical offices in Georgia and specialize in supporting LLCs and corporations with compliance management.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia?
    Yes. Any Georgia resident aged 18 or older with a physical street address in the state can serve as their own registered agent.
  2. What happens if my registered agent resigns?
    You must appoint a new agent immediately and update the Secretary of State. Failing to do so can cause your LLC to lose good standing.
  3. How do I find a registered agent’s information for a business?
    You can look up any Georgia LLC’s registered agent details through the Georgia Secretary of State’s online business search.
  4. Can a P.O. Box be used as a registered office?
    No. Georgia law requires a physical address where legal documents can be delivered in person.
  5. How much does a Georgia registered agent cost?
    Fees generally range from $100 to $300 annually, depending on the service provider and additional features like online document access or compliance alerts.

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