Register a Georgia Foreign LLC
A Georgia Foreign LLC is a limited liability company that was formed outside of the state but is registered to do business in Georgia. You can register as a foreign LLC in Georgia by filing a Certificate of Authority application with the Secretary of State and paying the state filing fee ($230 online or $235 by mail).
Northwest can register your foreign LLC in Georgia for just $225 + state fees. This includes registered agent service for a year, and a free trial of our identity services that take your business online. We’ll give you a custom domain name free for a year, plus 90 days free of our web hosting and security, business phone number and email address, and a local Georgia business address. Plus you’ll get forever access to our attorney-drafted legal document templates, personal help from our Corporate Guides®, and Privacy By Default®.
Ready to Register A Foreign LLC in Georgia?
GET STARTEDHow 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. The process to register a foreign LLC is called foreign qualification. Here’s how you do it:
1. Appoint a Georgia Registered Agent
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.
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.
2. Complete the Application for Certificate of Authority
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 $230 ($235 if filing by mail)
Ready to do business in The Peach State? You can Register Your Foreign LLC in Georgia now with Northwest.
Georgia charges $230 to submit your Application for Certificate of Authority online and $235 to file 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:
via the Georgia Corporations Division website
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.
3. Launch Your Business Identity
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.
4. Receive your Verification of Registration
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.
Georgia typically processes online filings in about a week. Mailed filings can take up to two weeks (plan additional time for mailing). If you’re in a hurry you can pay the state an extra $120 for two-day processing or $275 for same-day processing, and $1,200 for one-hour service.
Georgia Foreign LLC Registration FAQ
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 ($25) or by mail ($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 1st, and the fee is $50 online ($60 by mail).
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.
