If you're establishing a limited liability company in Georgia, it's a good idea to know about the processing times offered by the Secretary of State so that you understand how long it'll take for your LLC to be approved.
Teaming up with our certified LLC experts who have over a decade long experience in the industry, we took the time to research the processing times of creating an LLC in Georgia by checking the latest information found in the Secretary of State's official documents.
Here's a summary of everything you need to know.
Quick Summary
- It takes approximately 15 business days to get an LLC approved in the state of Georgia by mail.
- In Georgia, the Secretary of State accepts domestic and foreign LLC registration documents submitted online, by mail, or in person.
- The Georgia Secretary of State offers expedited filing for registration documents at an additional fee of $1000 for a 1-hour delivery.
How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Georgia?
It takes 15 business days to form an LLC in Georgia via mail and 7 business days for online filings. This is the total time the Secretary of State takes to review, verify and approve your Articles of Organization after receipt.
If you want a shorter processing time, you can pay extra state fees for expedited delivery [1].
Georgia LLC Processing Time
The state of Georgia offers different processing times depending on the filing method you use to register your new domestic LLC or foreign entity.
Here are three ways you can register an LLC in Georgia and the processing times of each filing method.
1. Online Filings
Online filing is available on the Georgia Secretary of State's official website.
Before you start the filing process, you must create an online user account and log in with your username and password.
Once on the webpage, you can select the type of business entity you want to create; in this case, it's a limited liability company.
Follow the commands therein and fill out the necessary details listed.
Then proceed to pay the $100 filing fee using either Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express [2].
The total processing time for online LLC filing is 7 business days.
But you can pay an additional $250 for expedited processing and have your papers approved on same-day processing. Note, however, that this only applies to files submitted before noon on a weekday.
Also, the SOS doesn't process any LLC filing during holidays or weekends.
2. Mail Filings
Mail filing in Georgia means you must submit a physical paper of the Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State's office.
You can either write your own articles of incorporation or log in to the SOS website and download the PDF (CD 030) form there.
Ensure you fill out all the details of your LLC, including name, business address, and registered agent contact details.
After that, you must also download and fill out the Transmittal Form LLC (231) from the Georgia corporations division website.
Attach the two documents and mail them along with the $110 filing fee. Note that the SOS only accepts payments for mail submissions through checks or money orders.
The Georgia Secretary of State takes 15 business days to process and approve your LLC paperwork.
3. In-person Filings
You hand deliver your registration papers to the SOS main office for in-person submissions.
Once you download and fill out the Articles of Organization form, print it and attach the Transmittal Form.
Hand-delivered Georgia LLC papers' processing times vary depending on the filing volume and when you file.
For example, if you file on a weekday before noon, the SOS can process it within that day. But if you file on Friday, the SOS doesn't work on weekends, so you'll have to wait till Monday.
The good thing with in-person filing is that if you submit your registration papers before noon, you can pay an additional $1000 and have your LLC documents approved in one hour.
4. Expedited Filings
Expedited processing allows business owners in Georgia to get their LLC faster than the standard processing time.
The Georgia Secretary of State offers the following expedited processing options:
- $100 for a 2-day processing time
- $250 for same-day processing
- $1000 for a one-hour document delivery
Visit our page for more information on the costs to get an LLC in Georgia.
Steps To Start an LLC in Georgia
Follow these steps if you want to start an LLC in Georgia:
- Step 1: Look up a Georgia LLC and choose an available name for your Georgia limited liability company.
- Step 2: Hire a registered agent service in Georgia authorized to transact in Georgia.
- Step 3: Draft and file your Articles of Organization and the transmittal form, and pay the filing fee.
- Step 4: Draft your LLC operating agreement documentÂ
- Step 5: Apply for the necessary LLC business license and permit in accordance with Georgia business law.
- Step 6: Get an employer identification number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Step 7: Open a business bank account
- Step 8: File the required Georgia business taxes
- Step 9: File an annual registration report between January 1 and April 1 of each year for $50.
FAQs
What's the Fastest Way To Get an LLC in Georgia?
The fastest way to get an LLC in Georgia is to file online and pay an additional $250 for same-business-day filing or $1000 for 1-hour expedited processing. This holds for both domestic and foreign entities.
Is Georgia a Good State For an LLC?
Yes, Georgia is a good state for an LLC. Georgia LLCs offer pass-through taxation and limited liability protection.
Should You Hire an LLC Service in Georgia?
When creating a limited liability company in Georgia, knowing which documents to file, where to submit them, and how much to pay can be challenging.
This is why seeking the guidance of the best Georgia LLC formation services is undoubtedly beneficial.
These nine LLC formation companies offer an exclusive range of budget-friendly options with all the fundamental necessities for incorporating an LLC.
These cover LLC establishments, registered agent services, and operating agreement templates.
Additionally, most of these LLC services have extended hours for customer assistance, and you can be confident that issues will be handled as quickly as possible.
References:
- https://georgia.gov/register-llc#
- https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/
