Register a Georgia Foreign LLC
A Georgia Foreign LLC is a limited liability company originally formed in another state or country that intends to conduct business in Georgia. To operate legally, it must register with Georgia's Secretary of State and pay a $235 filing fee (online or by mail). This guide shows you how to start and run a foreign LLC in Georgia.
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How to Register a Foreign LLC in Georgia
To register your out-of-state LLC in Georgia, you’ll have to file an Application for Certificate of Authority and pay the associated $235 filing fee. The process will require you to:
You’ll need a Georgia registered agent to handle service of process on behalf of your company. This person or entity must have a physical address in Georgia and be willing and able to forward legal notices to your company in a timely fashion. Though you can be your own registered agent (if you physically reside in Georgia) or appoint a friend, many companies choose to hire a Registered Agent Service to cover their needs in other states.
You can find a copy of Georgia’s Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Limited Liability Company on the Secretary of State’s website or register to complete the form online. Here’s what you’ll need to include:
- Primary email address of LLC
- Name of LLC
- Date LLC will begin (or began) doing business in Georgia
- “Forced” other trade name or DBA (only if your original LLC name is already taken)
- Name, physical address, email address, and phone number of person filing on behalf of LLC
- Name of LLC, name of jurisdiction, date of formation, and period of duration in LLC’s state of formation
- Mailing address of your LLC’s principal place of business
- Name, email address, and physical address of your registered agent in Georgia
- Name and address of LLC manager or member (if member-managed)
- Physical address where your LLC records are maintained
- Effective date (either “upon filing” or a date within 90 days of filing)
- Signature of an authorized person
- Payment of $235
Some states require companies to provide a Certificate of Good Standing from their home state along with their foreign LLC application—Georgia does not.
Ready to go? You can Register Your Foreign LLC in Georgia now with Northwest.
After submitting your application to register as a foreign LLC in Georgia, you will receive a Georgia Certificate of Authority. Keep this document for your records.
Once your foreign LLC is up and running in Georgia, it’s time to establish a foothold in the local market. With Northwest’s Business Identity Service, building a digital presence has never been easier. Get a custom website, securely hosted with a unique domain, a local phone number, business email, and more.
After Georgia approves your application to register as a foreign LLC in the state, you will receive a Georgia Certificate of Authority in the mail. Keep this document for your records.
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Georgia Foreign LLC Registration FAQ
No, foreign businesses do not need an address in the state where they do business, that’s what your registered agent is for. However, you might want a local business address to gain a physical foothold in the state, look professional and trustworthy, or simply as a way to keep your home address under wraps.
Northwest offers reliable Mail Forwarding and Virtual Office services in Georgia. Here’s what you get:
- Use a real commercial business address (not a P.O. Box)
- Maintain privacy and stay compliant
- Access your mail digitally or have it forwarded to you
- Get a real office lease and a local phone number (Virtual Office only)
These services go hand-in-hand with our Registered Agent Service and help keep your business running smoothly, no matter where your business calls home.
You can amend your foreign Georgia LLC by filling out an Application for Amended Certificate of Authority of a Foreign Entity. This form can be sent to the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division online ($30).
Like many states, Georgia doesn’t list the activities that qualify as doing business. State law (O.C.G.A. § 14-11-702) specifies what’s NOT considered doing business—such as maintaining Georgia bank accounts, using independent contractors, or making loans.
But in general, doing business includes:
- Owning or leasing property
- Conducting business or trade
- Providing professional services
- Employing workers or contractors
If you’re not sure whether you need to register your foreign LLC with the state, consult a business attorney to make sure you’re following the law.
For more, see our resource on What Exactly Does Doing Business in Another State Mean?
Yes. To maintain the legal authority to do business in Georgia, you’ll have to file a Georgia Annual Report (called the Annual Registration) on behalf of your foreign LLC. The due date is April 1, and the fee is $60.
Georgia foreign LLCs are subject to the same Georgia Taxes as domestic Georgia LLCs.
To withdraw your Georgia foreign LLC, you’ll have to file an Application for Withdrawal of Certificate of Authority. There is no fee to file online, and a $10 fee to submit your application via mail.
You can, but only if you live in Georgia. Otherwise, your best option is to hire a professional Registered Agent Service.
Here are three reasons to hire a registered agent service:
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Legal Compliance: A registered agent ensures that your business meets state requirements by maintaining a physical address for receiving legal documents, such as lawsuits or official government correspondence.
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Privacy Protection: By using a registered agent, your business owner’s personal address is kept private, protecting you from unwanted solicitations or legal issues being linked directly to your personal residence.
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Convenience and Reliability: Registered agents are available during regular business hours to receive important documents, ensuring that you never miss crucial deadlines or miss notifications of legal actions. This helps keep your business in good standing.
When you hire Northwest, we’ll do all of the above and then some. Need a business address? Use ours. Want a domain name, website, local phone number, or business email address? We’re the only registered agent that offers these services, and more!
Georgia charges $235 to submit your Application for Certificate of Authority online or by mail. If you need expedited filing, the state charges an additional $120 for two-day processing or $275 for same-day processing. Need it even sooner? Pay $1,200 for one-hour expedited filing.
Note: If you need same-day processing, you’ll have to submit your application to the state before noon on a business day.)
You may submit your Application for Certificate of Authority online by mail, or in person. If filing online, you’ll need to create a user account.
Online:
Georgia Corporations Division
Mail and in person:
Office of Secretary of State
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
No. You would only have to file Georgia LLC Articles of Organization if you were forming your company in Georgia. As an out-of-state LLC, you simply have to register as a foreign LLC to do business in the state.
No. While some states require LLCs to provide a certificate of good standing from their home state along with their foreign LLC application, Georgia does not.
