How to Start an LLC in Georgia
Forming an LLC in Georgia costs $110 in state filing fees, paid to the Georgia Corporations Division. Here is the full process, the real costs and the Georgia-specific rules most guides skip.
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Georgia Corporations Division) | $110 | Yes, one time |
| Annual registration | $60 | Yes, recurring |
| Registered agent service | $100–$200 / year | Optional (you can be your own) |
| EIN from the IRS | Free | Yes, for banking and taxes |
| Operating agreement | Free–$200 | Strongly recommended |
Step by step
Choose and check your LLC name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Georgia entities and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Search availability for free on the Georgia Corporations Division website before you fall in love with a name.
Appoint a registered agent
Required by law: a person or company with a physical street address in Georgia, available during business hours to receive legal mail. You can be your own agent if you live in the state; most founders who value privacy or don't live there use a service ($100 to $200 per year).
File your formation documents ($110)
File Articles of Organization (in some states called a Certificate of Formation) with the Georgia Corporations Division. Standard processing: about 5-7 business days online. This is the step that legally creates the LLC.
Get your EIN from the IRS (free)
The Employer Identification Number is your LLC's federal tax ID, needed for bank accounts, hiring and tax filings. The IRS issues it free. If the LLC's principal place of business is in the US and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN, the IRS online application issues the number immediately (one EIN per responsible party per day). Owners without an SSN or ITIN, including most non-US founders, cannot use the online tool: they file Form SS-4 by fax (about 4 business days), by mail (about 4 weeks) or, for international applicants, by phone at 267-941-1099. Details and the exact numbers are in our non-resident guide. Never pay a service just for an EIN.
Create an operating agreement
Georgia does not legally require an operating agreement, but banks, investors and courts expect one, and it is the document that protects your limited liability if ownership is ever disputed.
Handle ongoing compliance
Georgia requires an annual registration of $60, due January 1 to April 1. Calendar it the day your LLC is approved, missing it risks late fees and eventually administrative dissolution.
Every Georgia fee that matters
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $110 | $100 filing fee plus $10 service charge, online or paper |
| Annual registration | $60 | January 1 to April 1, starting the year after formation |
| Late annual registration | +$25 | |
| Reinstatement after administrative dissolution | About $250 to $260 | Within five years; the fee schedule and FAQ quote slightly different figures |
| Expedite (optional) | $120 (2 business days), $275 (same day), $1,200 (1 hour) | |
| Name reservation (optional) | $35 | Holds the name for only 30 days |
Standard processing is 7 to 10 business days online and about 15 business days on paper. Fees from the Secretary of State fee and expedite schedule. There is no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs.
What happens if you miss April 1
- After April 1 the registration costs $60 plus a $25 late penalty.
- If it stays unfiled, the Secretary of State sends a Notice of Administrative Dissolution. You then have 60 days to file and pay before the LLC is dissolved.
- A dissolved LLC can be reinstated within five years by filing every missed registration plus the reinstatement fee.
- Online annual registrations are processed immediately on the eCorp portal.
Georgia details most guides skip
- Identity check: online filers go through an identity verification step, and the eCorp account locks after two failed attempts. Have your details ready before you start.
- Privacy: only the registered agent is required on the formation filing; members and managers are not listed.
- Tax: Georgia has no franchise tax for LLCs at the Secretary of State. Profit passes through to the owners at Georgia's flat income tax rate, 4.99% from January 1, 2026.
- Foreign LLCs: an out-of-state LLC that does business in Georgia without registering can face a $500 penalty plus back fees when it eventually registers.
Mistakes we see with Georgia LLCs
- Budgeting from an old guide at $100 and $50 instead of $110 and $60.
- Reserving a name for 30 days and letting it lapse before filing.
- Missing April 1 in the first year after formation.
- Ignoring the Notice of Administrative Dissolution, which starts a 60-day clock.
Official Georgia links
Georgia LLC: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Georgia?
The state filing fee is $110, paid to the Georgia Corporations Division. Ongoing state cost: $60 a year for the annual registration. Optional costs include a registered agent service (typically $100 to $200 per year) if you don't act as your own.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Georgia?
Typical processing time: about 5-7 business days online. Many states offer paid expedited options if you need the LLC approved faster. The clock starts when the Georgia Corporations Division receives your filing.
Do I need a registered agent in Georgia?
Yes. Every Georgia LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can serve as your own agent if you have a Georgia address and are available during business hours, or hire a commercial registered agent service.
What happens if I miss the Georgia annual report?
The registration costs $60, filing after April 1 adds a $25 late penalty, and missing it entirely typically triggers late fees, loss of good standing and eventually administrative dissolution of the LLC. Reinstatement is possible but costs more than filing on time.
How much is the Georgia LLC annual registration?
$60, filed between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the year after formation. Filing after April 1 adds a $25 late penalty, and an LLC that still does not file receives a notice giving it 60 days before administrative dissolution.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Georgia in 2026?
$110, online or on paper: a $100 filing fee plus a $10 service charge under the fee schedule effective September 6, 2025. Expedited processing costs extra.
Not sure whether Georgia fits your situation?
Before you choose a filing package, talk through your business, location and goals with a real setup specialist. Get a clear formation roadmap at no cost and with no purchase obligation.
Request my free setup callLaunch.llc is free. If a formation partner fits and you choose to move forward, the partner may pay us a referral fee.
Compare with other states
Fees and rules last reviewed September 2026. State fees change; always confirm with the Georgia Corporations Division before filing. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.