Forming a Georgia Limited Liability Company for your business is an excellent decision. Your Georgia LLC can take advantage of both the simplified pass through taxation of partnerships and the limited liability of corporations. An LLC has fewer formalities after formation than a corporation--meaning you can focus on your business and not on paperwork.

The formation and registering of LLCs is handled by the Georgia Secretary of State.

Help protect your personal assets from lawsuits and judgments against your company by forming a Georgia LLC. If you neglect to incorporate your business, you can be held personally liable for business debts and lawsuits. Find out about forming a legal Georgia Limited Liability Company and start your business off on the right track.

Georgia LLC Filing Fees and Annual Registration

As of February, 2006, the filing fee for a Georgia Limited Liability Company is $100, payable to the Georgia Secretary of State and accompanies your Articles of Organization and a completed Transmittal Form 231. Expedited processing costs an additional $100.

A Georgia LLC must also file an annual registration statement along with a fee of $30.00. You can file this online at GeorgiaCorporations.org. The initial registration is due between January 1 and April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the limited liability company was formed. For example, if you form your LLC anytime in 2006 (even as late as December 30th), you must file the annual registration statement between January 1 and April 1 of 2007.

LLC Name Requirements

Your corporate name must end with the words Limited Liability Company or one of the following abbreviations: "LLC," "L.L.C.," "limited," "ltd.," "ltd".

Member/Manager Information

Minimum Number - one or more
Members/Managers- at least one is required to be listed in the Articles of Organization
Residence Requirements - none specified
Age Requirements - none specified

Foreign (Out of State) LLCs Wanting to Operate in Georgia

Georgia requires foreign limited liability companies to apply for a certificate of authority. This form can be found at Georgia's website here; the application fee is $225, payable to the Secretary of State. There is a $500 penalty for any foreign LLC that does business in Georgia for more than 30 days before applying for its certificate of authority.

Registered Agent

The registered agent may be an individual resident in this state or a domestic or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Georgia, having a business office identical with such registered office.The registered agent must have a physical address in Georgia, a Post Office Box or Drop Box is not acceptable. If the registered office includes a suite number, it must be included in the registered office address.

Publication

Georgia has no publication requirements.