How to Form a Georgia LLC

The Seal of the State of Georgia, as found on the Georgia Secretary of State's website.

You're about to learn the step-by-step process for forming an LLC in the state of Georgia. A limited liability company (LLC) is a legal entity that can mix the tax benefits of a corporation with the extraordinary legal protection of a partnership. By following these steps, you'll be able to create a new Georgia LLC, through which you can conduct the business of your choice. Owning a Georgia LLC is an excellent choice for any businessperson who wants to have more flexibility in tax planning and superior asset protection.

Things You'll Need

• $25 for name reservation
• $100 for corporate filing fees
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Select a name for your new LLC. The name should represent your line of business. To help you decide, consider whether you can acquire a similar internet domain name or vanity telephone number.

2. Confirm that the name you have selected is not already in use in the state of Georgia. You can do this by contacting the Georgia Secretary of State's office, or by using their online search form.

3. Reserve your selected Georgia LLC name. You do this by completing the Georgia name-reservation-request form and sending it to the Georgia Secretary of State. Alternatively, you may use their website to reserve your LLC name.

4. Prepare the articles of organization. This document can be very simple or more complex, and should be approved by your legal counsel. In this document, you will identify (at the very least) the name of your new Georgia LLC, and likely also the names and addresses of its managers.

5. File the Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State. When you do so, be sure to include: the original and one copy of your Articles of Organization; Transmittal Form 231 (available from the Georgia Secretary of State); and your $100 filing fee (payable to--you guessed it--"Secretary of State").

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to file your completed LLC-formation paperwork with 30 days of reserving your new LLC name.

• Please obtain professional legal, tax and/or business advice to assure that your goals and intentions are met, and that requirements of the law are satisfied, both before and after incorporation.

Resources

• Georgia LLC forms available here