How to File the Georgia LLC Articles of Organization
The Georgia Articles of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File the Georgia LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Georgia Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Georgia LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization Forms
- File the Articles of Organization Forms
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your Georgia Articles of Organization and the Transmittal Information Form, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Georgia Articles of Organization
OPTION 1: Select “Create a User Account” to file online. Then, fill out the required personal information.
Access Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download the Articles of Organization AND Transmittal Information form from the Georgia Corporations Division.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization and Transmittal Information Form
In this step, we will help you complete the Georgia Articles of Organization. You must also fill out the Transmittal Information Form.
You will need to know the following information to complete each section:
- Entity Name and Reservation Number
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Names and Addresses of Organizers
Entity Name and Reservation Number
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- meets Georgia naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Georgia.
Follow the Georgia Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must contain one of the following terms or abbreviations: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C., or LC. It is permitted to abbreviate the word "limited" as "ltd." and the word "company" as "co."
- Your name must be distinguishable from all other entities on file with the Georgia Secretary of State. We will help with this step in the search for your business name section below.
- Your name cannot exceed 80 characters.
- You must get approval from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner to use one of the following words: insurance, assurance, surety, fidelity, reinsurance, reassurance, or indemnity.
- You must get approval from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance to use one of the following words: bank, banc, banque, banker, banking company, banking house, bancorp, bankruptcy, credit union, savings & loan, trust, or trust company.
- You must get approval from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to use the words “college” or “university."
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Georgia? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Georgia Secretary of State website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Georgia guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your Georgia LLC, you are required to list your registered agent and your registered office.
Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Georgia. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours. Your registered office address cannot be a P.O. box.
To learn more about choosing a Georgia registered agent, read our How to Choose a Georgia Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Names and Addresses of Organizers
You must list the names and addresses of all organizers of the LLC.
Also, while it is optional, you can include whether or not your LLC will have managers.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization and the Transmittal Information Form with the Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the forms online.
- Submit hard copies by mail.
File the Georgia Articles of Organization
OPTION 1: Create a user account or log in to file online. Then, fill out the required fields.
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download the Articles of Organization.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $100
Mail to:
Corporations Division 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
SE, Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Turnaround Time: Processing time is typically between 5 and 7 business days, but it can be as long as 12 business days during busier periods.
Steps After Your Georgia LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization and Transmittal Information forms, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A Georgia LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Georgia, you aren’t required to have an Operating Agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC’s private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business' corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits in order to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses and/or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with Georgia's Secretary of State website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Georgia Quick Links
Georgia Online Business Filing
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.