The corporation’s division is an office under the office of the Georgia Secretary of State. For entities, LLCs, public limited companies, and private limited corporations to operate legally within the county, they have to be registered with the division. It is mandatory for foreign corporate bodies operating in the state to file their corporate names and trademarks. The office recommends hiring the services of a lawyer and an accountant for consultation on how to start, manage and run a company. Acting as the custodian of filings, records, and business documents, copies and certifications of documents are made available online for users and interested persons. The division offers business support services but cannot resolve conflicts between customers and companies, different businesses, shareholders, et cetera.  

Services provided

The office helps Georgians register their companies, LLCs, and limited partnerships. It offers all types of registration services. 

The office’s corporate filings division assists establishments in complying with their many statutory duties from the time they are created, during their life, and until their dissolution. The business records division provides certificates of entities’ registration and authorization to operate. The office also processes applications for and maintains records of trademarks and service marks registered in the state. 

Featured services offered

• Start an establisment
• Complete annual registration

The yearly registration period starts from January 1 to April 1. Company owners may renew their corporations online, for up to three years at a time. 

• Create a domestic entity
• Foreign entity registration
• Business Search
• Search business FAQs

Business resources available

• Georgia Laws 
• Rules and Regulations 
• Statistics for active entities
• Georgia Legal Organs 
• Uniform Commercial Code, etc.

How-to guides 

• First Stop Business Guide
• How-to Guide: form a new domestic business
• How-to Guide: register a foreign corporation

Filing and other services

To make things simple and a lot easier for its users, the office has made lots of filings simple to complete online. The documents are electronically generated after entering the requested information in the required sections. For those who have prepared their documents already, there is the option of utilizing the submit paper filing online feature to upload their drafted copy.

• Service of Process

The following is information available as per the substituted service of process through the Secretary of State’s Office. 

• Private child support collectors
• Order bulk corporate records 
• Application for cable or video service
• Trademarks and inquiries on service marks
• Structured settlement purchase company
• Forms

Business security and protection

This includes services that center on protecting companies in the state. To avoid identity thefts and impersonations, the identity verification service was introduced. 

• Company Identity Theft
• Experian Identity Verification

FAQS and update

You can find information on the division and FAQs here on the site. 

• Frequently Asked Questions

This website provides access to forms, online tools, fees, and research materials. For additional information, please consult the frequently asked questions.

• Filing Fees
• News & Announcements
• Other Resources Available
• Business information center
• Choose a legal entity that is right for your business idea
• Department of economic development 
• Chamber of Commerce 
• U.S. small business administration  

Search online

The following programs are available online for users to access by simply entering certain details. 

• How-to Guides
• Start an establisment
• Residents are interested in starting up a new locally-based business.
• Modifying an existing entity name
• Reserve a company name

This is available online to individuals or corporate bodies who would like to reserve a name for a newly established business.

Contact information

Address: Office of the Secretary of State business filings, 700 Capital Avenue P.O. Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602

Phone: (502) 564-3490

Fax: (502) 564-5687

Official Website: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/)