What you need to know about incorporating a business in Georgia

When you decide to incorporate your businesses in the State of Georgia, you will need to designate a registered agent located within the state. A registered agent can be an individual or corporation with a physical address within the state, which is responsible for receiving your corporation’s legal documents. Registered agents can be lawyers, service companies, or increasingly, third party registered agent services (www.FilingsMadeEasy.com/registered-agent-service). Third party services can help your company complete the necessary articles of incorporation, which are detailed below.

Specific Requirements for incorporating a Business in Georgia:

Registering a Name: You must register a name for your business, which is not already in use by another company. This may be done by going to http://www.georgiacorporations.org and the fee is $25.

Initial Annual Registration: A corporation must submit an initial annual registration form within 90 days of incorporation and include the names of all principal officers.

Corporations need to include:

• - The name of the corporation;
• - The total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue;
• - The registered agent’s name and street address in the State of Georgia, (P.O. Box not acceptable);
• - The names and addresses of the incorporator or incorporators; and
• - The initial address of the corporation, this may be a P.O. Box.

Publication: In addition, corporations formed in the State of Georgia are required to satisfy the state-imposed “publication” requirements.  Filings Made Easy can assist you in complying with this requirement.  www.FilingsMadeEasy.com.