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Start a Free LLC in Georgia

From filing your Articles of Organization by paying a $100 state filing fee to preparing an Operating Agreement, starting an LLC in Georgia involves several important steps.If you want to start a free LLC in Georgia without costly mistakes, Swyft Filings can help. Our basic Georgia LLC formation package covers the preparation and filing of your LLC formation documents for a $0 service fee plus state fees only.

Want full support for the Georgia LLC formation process? Our premium packages include services such as an Operating Agreement, EIN filing, DBA, registered agent services, and compliance monitoring.

Georgia LLC Formation Packages

Start your LLC at $0 + state fees

How to Form an LLC in Georgia in 5 Simple Steps

To form an LLC in Georgia, choose a unique Georgia LLC business name, appoint a registered agent with a physical street address, and file your Articles of Organization online through the Georgia Secretary of State eCorp Portal by paying the mandatory $100 online filing fee. Follow these detailed steps below to better understand how to start an LLC in Georgia:

Step 1: Select a Business Name for Your LLC in Georgia

Your LLC name must be distinguishable from every entity already on file with the Georgia Secretary of State. Remember, small tweaks like punctuation, "the," or a phonetic spelling don't count as different. So, go through the requirements below to ensure you choose the correct name on the very first try.

Under Rule 590-7-20-.01, your Georgia LLC formation name must meet the following requirements:

Must include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or an approved abbreviation such as "LLC", "L.L.C.", "LC" or "L.C.”
May abbreviate words such as “Limited” as "Ltd" or “Ltd.” and "company" as "Co." or "Co."
Must contain only English letters, Arabic or Roman numerals, and symbols and special characters capable of being reproduced on a standard English (U.S.) keyboard.
Must not include terms suggesting another entity type, such as “Corporation,” “Inc.,” “Limited Partnership,” or their abbreviations.
Must not contain the acronym “DBA” or any variations of it, and including spaces and punctuation should not exceed 80 characters.

Following all these rules, run your top name choice through the Secretary of State's free business search to check its availability. If your preferred LLC name is already taken, use our free business name generator to find alternative names and keep a few backups on hand.

To lock in your Georgia LLC name before you are ready to register an LLC in Georgia formally, reserve the name for 30 days. Name reservations are generally processed within 5–7 business days, with a nonrefundable $25 fee for online requests and $35 for requests submitted by mail. They hold your unique name for 30 days.

If you wish to continue reserving your name after 30 days, you will have to reapply and pay the same additional fee. Another way to secure your desired business name is to directly file your Articles of Organization online. This automatically secures your name as your official business entity is created.

File for a DBA (Doing Business As) at the county level through the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your business is located, not through the Secretary of State. Then, publish your trade name registration in the newspaper the sheriff’s office uses for legal advertisements. You have to do this once a week for two consecutive weeks. Keep a copy of the Publisher’s Affidavit as proof that your trade name notice was properly published. If you find this difficult, choose a professional DBA service!

Step 2: Appoint a Georgia Registered Agent

The next step of how to start an LLC in Georgia is to appoint a “registered agent”. Every LLC is required to have one. A registered agent is the person or business authorized to receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your company.

Here are some of the basic requirements for a registered agent in Georgia:

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a physical street address in the business state. No P.O. boxes or mail drops allowed.
Must stay at that physical address during normal work hours to accept documents.
Must live or be authorized to do business in the state where the company is registered.

Choose Swyft Filings Registered Agent Service for your Georgia LLC formation. You will get a dedicated registered office address, secure document uploads, and an online dashboard to access and manage your legal documents. With nationwide availability, it's a convenient option as you start an LLC in Georgia and expand into other states.

Yes, you can act as your own registered agent in Georgia if you are at least 18 years old, live in Georgia, and have a physical street address for official registration with the Georgia Secretary of State. But that address becomes part of the public record the moment your Articles of Organization are approved, which is why many owners instead hand the role to a professional service.

Step 3: Register Your Georgia LLC by Filing the Articles of Organization

This is the filing that actually creates your LLC. Once you have chosen your business name and appointed a registered agent, the next step is to officially register your LLC with the Georgia Secretary of State. You do this by filing the Articles of Organization, which legally establishes your LLC in the state.

Wondering how to file Articles of Organization in Georgia? You have two options for filing:

a) Online

To file your Articles of Organization online in Georgia, create an account on the Georgia eCorp Portal, select the option to create or register an LLC in Georgia, and complete the digital form with your LLC details.
The standard online filing fee for filing the Articles of Organization in Georgia is $100 (plus a small portal fee), and standard processing takes about 7 business days.

b) Mail

Download and complete Form CD 030 (Articles of Organization) along with Transmittal Form 231.
Include a $110 check or money order and mail the completed forms to the Office of the Secretary of State, Corporations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Mail-in filings of Articles of Organization in Georgia typically take about 15 business days to process.

What Is the Required Information for Articles of Organization in Georgia?

When completing your Articles of Organization, you will typically need to provide:

LLC Name: Your name must comply with all naming requirements under Rule 590-7-20-.01.
Registered Agent: Provide the name and physical street address of your Georgia registered agent.
Principal Office Address: List your LLC’s main business address, which can be located in Georgia or outside the state.
Organizer Details: Provide the organizer’s name, signature, and capacity in which they are filing the Articles of Organization.

Once your Articles of Organization are approved, your Georgia LLC formation is officially done.

If your LLC already exists in another state and you want to do business in Georgia too, skip the Articles of Organization. To register your out-of-state LLC to do business in Georgia, file an Application for Certificate of Authority (Form CD 241) through the Georgia Secretary of State. This registers your existing LLC as a foreign entity here. The standard online filing fee is $235 ($225 filing fee plus a $10 service charge) payable to the Secretary of State. Remember these fees are non-refundable.

Step 4: Get Your EIN Directly From the IRS

Once your Georgia LLC is officially formed, the next step is to apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number). The IRS issues the nine-digit tax ID number immediately upon completion. You will need it to hire employees, open a bank account, apply for certain licenses or business credit, or file specific federal tax returns.

If you prefer not to use the online portal to get your EIN, you can fill out Form SS-4 and fax/mail it to the IRS. Fax typically takes a few business days to receive your number back, and mail takes up to four weeks to receive your EIN. This method is generally slower than applying online.

A U.S. SSN is not mandatory to get an EIN for your Georgia LLC if you are a foreign national. But you can still get an EIN using the methods below:

Apply by mail or fax: Mail/ fax form SS-4 to the IRS International Fax Number and leave the SSN/ITIN field blank or write "Foreign/Non-Resident". If you include a return fax number, the IRS usually responds within 5 to 15 business days.
Apply by phone: If you are outside the U.S. and have no legal residence there, you can call the IRS international line at +1 (267) 941-1099 to obtain your EIN immediately.

Step 5: Put Your Georgia LLC Operating Agreement in Writing

Once you have completed your Georgia LLC formation and obtained your EIN, the next step is to put your Operating Agreement in writing. Georgia does not generally require LLCs to file an Operating Agreement with the Secretary of State, but having one is strongly recommended. Here are the important things a solid Operating Agreement covers:

Company basics: Legal name, principal address, and core business purpose.
Ownership stakes: Names, contact information, and initial capital contributions of each member.
Member Contributions: Specify how much money or property each member has contributed to the business.
Management Structure: Explain whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed.
Voting Rights: Define decision thresholds and voting power tied to ownership percentages.
Member Responsibilities: Outline the roles, duties, and responsibilities of members or managers.
Financial distribution: How and when profits and losses get split among owners.
Adding or Removing Members: Establish procedures for admitting new members or handling a member’s departure.
Exit strategies: Rules for transfers of interest, buyouts, and company dissolution.
Dissolution: Explain what happens if the LLC needs to close or wind up its business.

Once your Operating Agreement is ready, have all members review and agree to its terms. Each member should sign and date the document, and everyone should keep a copy in a secure place for future reference. Need a professional to handle it for you? Swyft can walk you through a short questionnaire and build a custom operating agreement that matches how your LLC actually runs, instead of you starting from a blank page.

You generally do not submit your Operating Agreement to the Georgia Secretary of State when forming an LLC. Instead, keep the signed agreement with your LLC’s important business records and provide copies to the members when appropriate. If your business changes ownership, management, or other major terms, update the agreement accordingly.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for a Georgia LLC?

Register for Georgia State Taxes

If your LLC needs to collect sales and use tax, withhold taxes from employees, or pay other state business taxes, you will generally need to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) through its online tax registration system.

What Georgia Taxes Might Your LLC Need to Register For?

Depending on your business activities, you may need to register for:

Sales and Use Tax: Required if your business sells taxable goods or services in Georgia.
Withholding Tax: Generally applies if your LLC has employees and needs to withhold Georgia income tax from their wages.
Corporate Income Tax: May apply if your LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation rather than being taxed under the default LLC tax treatment.
Other State Taxes: Certain industries or business activities may trigger additional tax registration requirements.

Not sure whether your Georgia LLC needs to register for state taxes? Check your specific tax obligations before registering so you only sign up for the accounts your business actually needs.

To file your Georgia LLC state taxes, first determine your LLC’s tax classification and complete your federal tax return. Then, file the appropriate Georgia return through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC).

How to determine your LLC classification:

Single-Member LLC: Treated as a disregarded entity (like a sole proprietorship). Report business income on your personal Georgia Form 500 (Individual Income Tax Return).
Multi-Member LLC: Treated as a partnership. File Georgia Form 700 (Partnership Tax Return) unless you elect corporate taxation.
Corporation-Electing LLC: File Georgia Form 600 or Form 600S and pay corporate net worth tax if applicable.

Once you have identified the LLC's tax classification, collect your federal tax return (Form 1040, 1065, or 1120), your EIN or SSN, and owner details. Then, log into the Georgia Tax Center to file your partnership or corporate returns and remit any owed state pass-through or entity-level taxes. Remember to file your annual registration with the Georgia Secretary of State (separate from tax filings) to keep your business active.

Licenses Your Georgia LLC Business Needs

Forming an LLC in Georgia does not automatically permit you to operate every type of business. Depending on what your LLC does, you may need additional state, county, or city licenses and permits before you can legally operate.

To know what licenses your Georgia LLC needs, check with the Georgia Secretary of State, Georgia Department of Revenue, and your local city or county government to identify the licenses and permits that apply to your LLC. Requirements can vary based on the type of business you operate and where your business is located.

How to Check Your Georgia LLC License Requirements?

Identify your business activity: Determine exactly what products or services your LLC will provide.
Check state requirements: Use Georgia’s licensing resources to see whether your industry requires a state license or professional certification.
Check local requirements: Contact your city or county because local business licenses and permits may apply.
Check federal requirements: Certain industries may also require federal licenses or permits.

Not sure which licenses and permits your business needs? Swyft Filings’ Business License Research service takes the guesswork out of the process. We provide a customized report with verified licensing information, direct application links, and renewal requirements.

File Your Annual Registration

Every Georgia LLC has one recurring deadline to track after LLC formation.

What it is: One-click Annual Registration with the Secretary of State
Filing window: Filed as early as January 1 and due by April 1 of every year
Annual Registration fee: $60.00
Annual Registration (Foreign LLC): $35.00
If you miss it: Georgia adds a late fee.
If it stays unfiled: The state can administratively dissolve your LLC, which means losing your right to operate under that entity until you file the missing paperwork and get reinstated.

Open a Business Bank Account

Opening a separate business bank account is an important post-formation step for your Georgia LLC. It helps keep your business and personal finances separate, simplifies bookkeeping, and makes tax preparation easier.

Banks commonly ask for your EIN, Articles of Organization, business information, and identification when opening an account. Requirements can vary by financial institution, so check with your chosen bank before applying. Go through this guide on "How to Open a Business Bank Account in 2026 to better understand.

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Georgia?

Filing	Cost
Articles of Organization + Transmittal Form 231	Articles of Organization + Transmittal Form 231 : $100 (online) / $110 (mail)
Name reservation, 30 days	$25 (online) and $35 (mail)
Foreign LLC Certificate of Authority	$235 total ($225 filing fee plus a $10 service charge)
Annual Registration, every year	$60
Late Annual Registration	$25 penalty
County DBA filing, if you use one	Set by each county, plus a newspaper notice cost
Registered agent service, if you hire one	Set by the provider. Ours is $149 (Quarterly). Get a registered agent for less than $50 per month.

Outside of the $60 Annual Registration, most owners don't pay the state anything else in a typical year. What you spend beyond that depends on which optional services you choose, such as a registered agent or a tax consultation.

DIY vs. Swyft Filings: Georgia LLC Formation Differences

Forming a Georgia LLC yourself can save money, but it also means handling filings, requirements, and paperwork alone. And even a small mistake can make you redo the paperwork. But with Swyft Filings, this is never a scenario.

Requirement	DIY	With Swyft Filings
Georgia LLC Formation	Prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State yourself.	Swyft Filings prepares and files your formation documents on your behalf.
Georgia LLC Operating Agreement	Draft your own agreement or use a free operating agreement template.	Get help creating a customized LLC Operating Agreement.
Georgia Registered Agent	Choose a qualified Georgia registered agent and maintain their information yourself.	Professional registered agent service is available.
Attorney Access	Find and hire an attorney separately if you need legal guidance.	Personalized guidance from a business attorney is available.
Domain Name + Website	Find, purchase, and manage your own domain and website.	Done-for-you website and domain included through partner UENI.
Georgia Business License Research	Research state, county, and local licenses and permits yourself.	Business License Research service is available as an add-on.
Georgia DBA Filing	File your trade name with the appropriate county Clerk of Superior Court and handle the required newspaper publication yourself.	DBA filing service is available as an add-on.
Document Storage	Organize and store your LLC documents yourself.	Secure online Document Vault provides 24/7 access to your business documents.
Georgia Compliance Management	Track your annual registration and other compliance deadlines yourself. Georgia LLCs must file annual registration between January 1 and April 1 each year.	Compliance support is available through ComplianceGuard.
Tax Consultation	Find and hire a tax professional separately.	Free 30-minute tax consultation included through partner 1-800Accountant.
Support	Handle questions and filing issues yourself or contact the state directly.	Lifetime customer support is available.

Ready to Start Your Free Georgia LLC?

Let Swyft Filings take the paperwork off your plate! We have helped more than 600,000 business owners get their Georgia LLC formation paperwork right since 2015.

In our Georgia LLC formation service, every application receives a manual accuracy review by our Georgia specialists before it goes to the state, and owners consistently cite fast turnaround, clear pricing, and a real person on the phone when needed.

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More Georgia Resources From Swyft Filings

*Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about forming an LLC in Georgia and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*

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FAQ's

Starting a business can feel complex. We're here to provide clear answers to some of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask.

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A name that clears the Secretary of State's records, a Georgia registered agent with a street address, a completed Articles of Organization and Transmittal Form 231, and the Georgia state filing fee ($100). An Operating Agreement and an EIN aren't filed with the state, but nearly every owner ends up needing both anyway.

Yes, you may owe Georgia income tax on your LLC’s profits. Most Georgia LLCs are pass-through entities, meaning profits generally flow to the owners and are reported on their personal tax returns. Georgia’s individual income tax rate is currently 4.99% in 2026.

The real downside of a Georgia LLC isn't high state fees, but rather the more ongoing paperwork than a sole proprietorship, including the Annual Registration. You also need to keep business and personal money separate, since mixing the two can undercut the liability protection a Georgia LLC is supposed to give you. Raising outside investment is generally harder too, since LLCs don't sell stock the way corporations do.

No. A Georgia LLC is a registered entity that gives you liability protection. A DBA is just a name your business operates under besides its legal one, filed with the county Clerk of Superior Court, and it doesn't protect your personal assets on its own.