Georgia Secretary of State – GA SOS Business Search

The Georgia Secretary of State website is the official starting point for anyone looking to form a business in Georgia or find information about an existing business.

In this guide, we walk you through the exact process of searching Georgia business entity records and registering your business in the state of Georgia. 

We’re also going to answer some of the most common questions people have about starting a business in Georgia. 

Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division
Address: 2 MLK Jr. Dr. S.E. Suite 315, Floyd West Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone: (404) 656-2817
Fax: (404) 657-6380
Website: ww.sos.ga.gov
E-Mail: www.sos.ga.gov/form/contact-us

The Georgia Secretary of State website can be found at sos.ga.gov. 

The website offers a number of services relating to business, governance and voting in the state of Georgia.

We’re going to focus on the Business Search section, where you can find existing businesses in Georgia, and on the Georgia Corporations Division, where you can register a new business in the state of Georgia.

How to Find Business Entity Records for Businesses in Georgia

To search for a business in Georgia, you need to go to the Business Search page of the Georgia Secretary of State website.

From there, you can search for a business by its name, control number, registered agent name, or officer name.

Let’s do an example search using the business name ‘cleaner’. Entering the word cleaner in the Business Name search box brings up a long list of businesses in Georgia that have the word cleaner in their business name.

Each business name is a link, which takes you to a page containing more information about that business.

For instance, if we click on 1st Choice Cleaners LLC, we get the following page containing the business name, control number, type, status, address, agent information, and more.

Using this method to find a business is helpful when you want to learn more about a specific company. It’s also useful if you’re thinking about starting a business in Georgia and want to check if a business with the same name exists or if you want to look into potential competitors.

For those starting a new business, the next thing after looking for similar businesses is to register your own business. We’ll explain how to do that in the next section.

How to Register a Business Entity in Georgia

The Georgia Secretary of State website includes a helpful guide to registering a business in the state.

Once you have read all of the background information and you are ready to proceed, you can register your business either online or by mail. Online is the quickest and easiest method.

To register a Georgia business online, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to the Secretary of State online services page
2. Create a user account
3. Select ‘create or register a business’ then choose the correct business type (e.g. Domestic LLC)
4. Enter your business details
5. Pay a $100 filing fee

As standard, your business will be registered within 7 business days. However, if you are in a hurry then you can pay an additional $100 to have your application processed in 2 business days or an additional $250 for same-day registration.

FAQs

What are the subtypes of business entity in Georgia?

In Georgia, the various business entity types include limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC in Georgia?

Both corporations and LLCs in Georgia establish the business as a distinct legal entity from its owners. The key distinction lies in the flexibility of management and tax arrangements, with LLCs offering greater adaptability.

Does LLC have to be in the name of a business entity in Georgia?

Yes, in Georgia, all LLCs are required to include either the abbreviation ‘LLC’ or the words ‘Limited Liability Company’ as part of their business name.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Georgia?

The primary benefit of an LLC in Georgia is its ability to legally separate the business from the owner, thereby limiting the owner’s legal and financial liability. Additionally, registering an LLC is a more cost-effective and straightforward process compared to registering a corporation. Furthermore, LLCs provide increased flexibility in both management and tax options.

How much does it cost to register a business in Georgia?

Currently, the cost to register a business in Georgia is $100. This fee, known as a Domestic Filing, can be completed through the Georgia Secretary of State website.

What is the annual fee for an LLC in Georgia?

LLCs registered in the state of Georgia are required to pay an annual fee of $50.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Georgia?

On average, it takes 7 business days to get an LLC in Georgia. However, you can pay an additional fee of $100 to get your LLC in 2 business days, or an additional $250 to get your LLC on the same day that you apply.