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Starting an LLC in Georgia takes six steps: pick a distinguishable business name, appoint a registered agent with a Georgia street address, file Articles of Organization on the Secretary of State’s eCorp portal ($100 filing fee plus a small service charge, about 7 business days), draft an operating agreement, get your EIN from the IRS, and file a $60 annual registration every January 1–April 1. Georgia is privacy-friendly — member names never appear on the Articles of Organization — and non-US residents can form entirely remotely. All fees and timelines below are as of October 2026.
- Why Georgia Is a Smart Pick for an LLC
- Step 1: Choose and Check Your LLC Name
- Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
- Step 3: File Your Articles of Organization
- Step 4: Draft an Operating Agreement
- Step 5: Get Your EIN from the IRS
- Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account and Sort Out Taxes
- How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Georgia?
- How Long Does It Take? Processing Times
- Non-US Founders: Forming a Georgia LLC Remotely
- Georgia LLC Taxes at a Glance
- Ongoing Compliance: The Annual Registration
- DIY vs. Using a Formation Service
- FAQs
- Sources
Why Georgia Is a Smart Pick for an LLC
Georgia rarely tops “best state” lists the way Wyoming or Delaware do, but it deserves more attention: a $100 filing fee to form and a $60 annual registration are among the cheapest maintenance burdens in the country, with no franchise tax for pass-through LLCs and no publication requirement (unlike New York, you never buy newspaper ads). Georgia is also privacy-friendly at formation — under O.C.G.A. § 14-11-204, the Articles of Organization only have to list the LLC’s name, so member names never appear on any public filing.
For non-US founders, the standout advantage is simplicity: no Georgia residency, no US address of your own, and no citizenship requirement. If you’re still weighing what an LLC actually is and how it protects you, read that primer first.
Step 1: Choose and Check Your LLC Name
Your LLC’s legal name must be distinguishable from every entity already on file with the Georgia Secretary of State, and under SOS Rule 590-7-20-.01 it must include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” — without implying a different entity type (no “Inc.” or “Corp.”). Names must use standard US keyboard characters and stay within 80 characters including spaces.
Small differences — punctuation, “the,” or a similar-sounding spelling — don’t count as distinguishable. Run your name through the free Business Search on the Secretary of State’s website before filing, and have two or three backups ready.
Name reservation (optional): Lock in a name for $25 before you’re ready to file. The reservation lasts 30 days and the SOS emails you a reservation number, usually within 24 hours. Reservations aren’t available by phone, and you can always file without one.
Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
Every Georgia LLC must designate a registered agent — the person or company that receives lawsuits and official state mail on the LLC’s behalf. Georgia requires the agent to have a physical street address in the state (no PO boxes) and to be available there during business hours. An LLC that fails to maintain a registered agent can be administratively dissolved.
You can serve as your own agent if you live at a Georgia street address and are there during business hours — but your name and address become public record, and missed legal mail is a real risk. Most founders outside Georgia (and most privacy-conscious ones inside it) hire a commercial agent. See Do I Need a Registered Agent? for the full breakdown.
Registered Agents Inc’s formation bundle includes one year of free registered agent service, and their standalone registered agent service is $200/year (check current pricing).
Step 3: File Your Articles of Organization
This is the filing that legally creates your LLC — the Articles of Organization, filed with a cover sheet called Transmittal Form 231. The legally required content is minimal: just the LLC’s name. The form also collects the registered agent’s name and Georgia street address, the principal office address, and the management structure (member-managed vs. manager-managed).
How to file online (fastest): Create a free account on the Georgia eCorp portal at ecorp.sos.ga.gov, complete the form, and pay by card. The filing fee is $100, plus a small online service charge — the eCorp total is typically around $105. (Fee schedules can change; confirm the exact total on the payment screen.)
How to file by mail or upload: Complete Form CD 030 plus Transmittal Form 231. Paper filings carry a $10 service charge, bringing the total to about $110, and standard mail processing runs roughly 15 business days plus mail time.
Georgia fees are nonrefundable, and a deficient filing not corrected within 60 days of the state’s notice is abandoned — you’d pay again. Double-check your registered agent’s exact street address and LLC name spelling before submitting.
Want the whole thing handled for you? Form Your Georgia LLC with Registered Agents Inc → — $100 + state fee covers the filing, one year of free registered agent service, a domain name, and a website.
Step 4: Draft an Operating Agreement
Georgia law does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement — but write one anyway. It sets out ownership percentages, profit and loss splits, decision-making, and what happens when a member leaves or the LLC closes, and it reinforces the separation between you and the business. Banks often ask to see it for a business account, and single-member LLCs need it too. You never file it with the state. Our LLC Operating Agreement Guide covers the clauses to include and the mistakes to avoid.
Step 5: Get Your EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your LLC’s federal tax ID — you need one for a US business bank account, employees, and federal tax filings. The good news: an EIN is completely free from the IRS — never pay a service for one if you’re comfortable applying directly.
- With a US Social Security Number or ITIN: apply online at irs.gov and get the EIN instantly.
- Without one (most non-US founders): file IRS Form SS-4 by fax or mail; processing typically takes several weeks. The IRS international line is +1 (267) 941-1099.
For the detailed walkthrough, see How to Get an EIN as a Foreigner.
Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account and Sort Out Taxes
Keep business and personal money separate — mixing them can weaken the LLC’s liability protection. Some US banks require a branch visit; several fintech and online-first banks let non-residents open accounts remotely once you have your Articles of Organization, operating agreement, and EIN.
On taxes: most Georgia LLCs are pass-through by default, so the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income tax — profits flow to the owners. Non-US owners with a single-member LLC may also need to file IRS Form 5472 and a pro-forma Form 1120. See US LLC Taxes for Foreigners and the tax section below.
Depending on what you sell, you may also need state or local business licenses — forming the LLC doesn’t automatically license you to operate. Check with your county and city, plus the Georgia Department of Revenue for sales tax registration.
How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Georgia?
The full year-one picture, with state fees as of October 2026:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $100 (+ ~$5–10 service charge online) |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25, valid 30 days |
| Registered agent service (first year) | $0 if you act as your own; ~$125–200/year with a provider |
| EIN from the IRS | Free |
| Operating agreement | Free if self-drafted |
| State minimum to form (DIY, online) | ~$105 |
| Georgia annual registration (due year after formation) | $60 ($50 + $10 service charge) |
| Late annual registration penalty | $25 |
Expedited processing is available: +$120 for 2-business-day processing, +$275 for same-day, or +$1,200 for 1-hour (the 1-hour tier is limited to paper filings — check eCorp for availability).
How Long Does It Take? Processing Times
| Filing method | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| Online via eCorp | ~7 business days |
| Mail or uploaded form | ~15 business days, plus mail time |
| Expedited online | 2 business days (+$120) or same day (+$275) |
Processing times stretch during busy periods. If timing matters, file online and pay for the 2-day expedite.
Non-US Founders: Forming a Georgia LLC Remotely
Georgia is genuinely friendly to foreign owners — no citizenship, residency, or Georgia address requirement for members. Here’s what to plan for:
- You don’t need to visit Georgia. The entire formation can be done online through eCorp.
- The registered agent is your Georgia address. You must list a physical Georgia street address for your registered agent, so a commercial registered agent service solves this by itself — the most important hire for a non-resident founder.
- The principal office can be your foreign address. Georgia allows a principal office address outside the state.
- Banking takes the most patience. Formation is the easy part; opening a US business bank account remotely is where most foreign founders spend their time. Start the application as soon as you have your approved Articles and EIN.
- Tax filings still apply. A foreign-owned single-member LLC is generally a disregarded entity for federal tax — Form 5472 and a pro-forma Form 1120 are usually required, with steep penalties for missing them.
- Watch the BOI landscape. Federal beneficial ownership reporting rules have been in flux — check our annual compliance guide for the current status.
Georgia LLC Taxes at a Glance
- State income tax: Flat 4.99% for tax years beginning in 2026 (H.B. 463 reduced it from 5.19% in 2025). By default an LLC is pass-through, so members report Georgia-source profits on their individual returns at this rate.
- No franchise tax for pass-through LLCs.
- Corporate election warning: If your LLC elects corporate taxation, Georgia’s 4.99% corporate income tax applies, plus a possible net worth tax (roughly $10–$5,000 depending on net assets — verify with current Georgia Department of Revenue schedules).
- Sales tax: 4% state, plus county and city additions — combined rates average around 7%. Register for a sales tax permit with the Georgia Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods.
Tax rates change with legislation, so confirm current figures with the Georgia Department of Revenue (dor.georgia.gov) before filing. Non-US founders should also read US LLC Taxes for Foreigners for the federal side.
Ongoing Compliance: The Annual Registration
Georgia’s ongoing paperwork is light but unforgiving if ignored. Every LLC must file an Annual Registration with the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the calendar year after formation. The fee is $60 ($50 base + $10 service charge). If nothing changed, a one-click registration doesn’t even require signing into eCorp — and you can prepay up to three years at once.
Miss the April 1 deadline and Georgia adds a $25 late fee. Continued non-filing can lead to administrative dissolution, ending your LLC’s legal authority to operate until reinstated. Set a recurring calendar reminder on day one — this is the most common way founders accidentally kill an otherwise healthy LLC. See LLC Annual Compliance Requirements for the broader maintenance checklist.
DIY vs. Using a Formation Service
| DIY via eCorp | Registered Agents Inc | |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | ~$105 (paid to Georgia) | ~$105 (state fee, passed through) |
| Service fee | $0 | $100 + state fee |
| Registered agent (year 1) | $0 (yourself) or ~$125–200 with a provider | Included free |
| Domain name + website | Not included | Included |
| Filing review before submission | No — mistakes mean re-filing and lost fees | Yes |
| EIN guidance for non-US founders | You’re on your own | Guidance included |
| Time cost | Several hours of forms and research | ~15 minutes |
Methodology note: Pricing uses each provider’s published figures as of October 2026 — the $100 + state fee bundle (state filing, domain name, website, one year of free registered agent service), the $200/year standalone registered agent price, and from-$4.95/year domains all come from Registered Agents Inc’s own site. Their website, phone, and email tools run $5/month each — check current pricing. Georgia state fees are from the Secretary of State’s published schedules.
DIY works if you live at a Georgia street address, understand the forms, and have time to spare. For everyone else — especially non-US founders who need a Georgia address anyway — forming through Registered Agents Inc → at $100 + state fee is the cleaner move: the filing is reviewed before it goes in, the registered agent requirement is covered for year one, and the domain and website basics are included.
FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Georgia?
The state filing fee is $100, plus a small service charge (about $105 total online via eCorp, or about $110 for paper filings). An optional name reservation costs $25. Your ongoing cost is a $60 annual registration due every January 1–April 1, starting the year after you form.
Can a non-US resident form a Georgia LLC?
Yes. Georgia has no citizenship or residency requirement for LLC members. You can complete the entire formation online through the eCorp portal from abroad. The one Georgia-specific hurdle is the registered agent: you must name one with a physical Georgia street address, which is why most foreign founders hire a commercial registered agent service.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Georgia?
Online filings through eCorp are typically processed in about 7 business days; mail filings take roughly 15 business days plus mail time. Georgia also sells expedited processing: 2 business days for an extra $120, same-day for $275, or 1-hour for $1,200 (paper filings only).
Does Georgia require an operating agreement?
No — Georgia law does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement. But operating without one means state default rules govern ownership splits, decision-making, and what happens when a member leaves. A written agreement also helps with bank account applications and reinforces the liability separation the LLC exists to provide. Draft one regardless.
What is Georgia’s annual LLC registration?
It’s the state’s yearly renewal filing that keeps your LLC in good standing. File it online between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the calendar year after formation, for $60 ($50 fee + $10 service charge). If nothing changed, a one-click option skips most of the form. Filing late adds a $25 penalty.
Is my name on Georgia’s public LLC record?
Not necessarily. Georgia’s Articles of Organization only require the LLC’s name — member names never appear on public filings, and manager names are optional, which makes Georgia reasonably privacy-friendly. However, the registered agent’s name and street address and the LLC’s principal office address are public record, so a commercial registered agent keeps your personal address off the filings.
Conclusion
Georgia gives you a low-cost, low-maintenance LLC with real privacy at formation and no publication hoops. The $100 filing fee and $60 annual registration are hard to beat, and non-US founders can do everything remotely. Get the name check and registered agent right, keep that April 1 annual registration on your calendar, and your Georgia LLC will stay in good standing with minimal effort.
Ready to file? Form Your Georgia LLC with Registered Agents Inc → — $100 + state fee, including the state filing, one year of free registered agent service, a domain name, and a website. (Their website, phone, and email tools run $5/month each — check current pricing.)
Sources
- Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division — Filing Procedure for a Georgia Limited Liability Company (rev. 7/2025): https://sos.ga.gov:8443/sites/default/files/2025-07/corp-filing_procedure-limited_liability_company.pdf
- Georgia Secretary of State — eCorp online filing portal: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov
- O.C.G.A. § 14-11-203 and § 14-11-204 (LLC formation requirements) — via law.onecle.com
- BDO — “Georgia Enacts Income Tax Reduction Bill” (H.B. 463, 4.99% rate for 2026): https://www.bdo.com/insights/tax/georgia-enacts-income-tax-reduction-bill
- Bloomberg Tax — Georgia DOR revised 2026 Employer’s Withholding Tax Guide: https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-state/georgia-dor-issues-revised-2026-employers-withholding-tax-guide
- IRS — Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online: https://www.irs.gov
State fees, tax rates, and processing times are as of October 2026. Confirm current figures on the Georgia Secretary of State and Department of Revenue websites before filing.