$110. That’s the least you’ll pay the state when you learn how to start an LLC in Georgia, and every dollar of it goes to the Georgia Secretary of State. You file a Certificate of Organization (Form CD 030) with the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division, and the state lists the fee as $100 plus a $10 service charge.
A formation service is optional. You can file on your own, and “free” here means no middleman fee, not no state fee. This guide walks you through each step in order so you can file today. For the bigger picture, see our 7-step overview.
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Key Takeaways
- The Georgia state filing fee for Form CD 030 is $110 ($100 filing fee + $10 service charge).
- Georgia LLCs file an annual registration every year between January 1 and April 1. The fee is $50 plus any applicable service charge.
- Your first annual registration is due between January 1 and April 1 of the year after you form the LLC.
- LLCs that don’t file can be administratively dissolved.
- An EIN from the IRS is free. You never have to pay for one.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
Georgia LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization (Form CD 030) | $110 ($100 filing fee + $10 service charge) | When you form the LLC |
| Annual registration | $50 plus any applicable service charge | Every year, January 1 to April 1 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Whenever you need it |
Sources: Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division; Georgia Secretary of State, annual registration; IRS. Figures were current as of October 11, 2026.
Anything not in this table, such as name reservation, expedited handling, or processing times, isn’t covered here. Check the Secretary of State’s website for those details instead of trusting a third party’s numbers.
How to Start an LLC in Georgia, Step by Step
1. Choose and Check Your Name
Your LLC (limited liability company) is a business structure that separates your personal assets from the business’s debts in most situations. It needs a name that’s distinguishable from other businesses on file in Georgia.
Use the business name search on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website to see if your name is taken. Try a few spelling variations too. Georgia generally requires an LLC designator such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the name. Check the Secretary of State’s guide for the exact naming rules.
A matching domain and social handles are worth a look. They’re separate from state name availability.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. Georgia expects your LLC to name one with a physical Georgia address.
You have three typical options:
- Yourself, if you have a Georgia street address and you’re reliably available during business hours. Your agent’s address becomes part of the public record.
- Someone you trust who lives in Georgia and agrees to do it.
- A commercial registered agent service, which usually charges a yearly fee. Check current pricing with the provider. This can make sense if you want to keep your home address off the public record or you travel often.
3. File the Certificate of Organization (Form CD 030)
The Certificate of Organization is Georgia’s version of what many states call “articles of organization.” It’s the document that officially creates your LLC.
- Go to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division website and find the how-to guide for registering a domestic entity.
- Complete Form CD 030 with your LLC name, registered agent information, and the other details the form asks for.
- Pay the $110 fee ($100 filing fee + $10 service charge).
- Save the approved filing and your confirmation records in one folder for your business.
Georgia may have additional steps around forming an LLC. One possibility is a newspaper notice-publication step, which may carry its own fee. Read the Secretary of State’s how-to guide fully before you file so nothing surprises you.
Here’s a quick example. Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for a dog-walking business in October 2026. Your minimum state cost at formation is $110.
Your first annual registration would then be due between January 1 and April 1, 2027.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC runs: who owns it, who makes decisions, and how profits are split. A “member” is an owner. In a “member-managed” LLC, the owners run things day to day. In a “manager-managed” LLC, designated managers do.
Even a one-person LLC benefits from having one. It documents that the business is separate from you, and banks sometimes ask for it. You usually keep it in your records rather than filing it with the state, but confirm with the Secretary of State if you’re unsure.
You can write a simple one yourself. Cover the LLC’s name, members and ownership percentages, how decisions get made, and what happens if a member leaves. The SBA’s guidance on business structures at sba.gov is a good starting reference. If you have partners or complicated ownership, have an attorney review it.
5. Get a Free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. According to the IRS, you can get one directly from the agency online in minutes, and you never have to pay a fee for it.
Apply only through IRS.gov. Sites that charge for an EIN are reselling a free service. You’ll typically need your LLC’s legal name and details about the responsible party, usually you.
How your LLC is taxed is a separate decision. Our LLC vs. S corp guide explains the options.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Once your Certificate of Organization is approved and your EIN is in hand, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business and personal money apart is a core habit for protecting your LLC’s separate status.
Bring your approved filing, EIN confirmation, operating agreement, and ID. Plenty of online business checking options exist. Novo is one online business bank that freelancers and small LLCs often consider. Compare fees and features against your local bank or credit union before you choose.
7. File Your Annual Registration on Time
Georgia requires an annual registration. We cover it in detail below, because missing it is the most avoidable way to lose your LLC’s good standing.
How to Start an LLC in Georgia: DIY vs. a Formation Service
You can do everything above on your own. Here’s what each route costs.
DIY Through the State
- State filing fee: $110
- Optional extras: $0 if you act as your own registered agent and write your own operating agreement
- Total at formation: $110, plus the $50 annual registration (and any service charge) due the following year
With a Formation Service
- State filing fee: $110 (you still pay this)
- Plus the service’s own fee, which varies by package. Check the provider’s current pricing.
- Total at formation: $110 + the service fee, plus the annual registration
What a Service Actually Adds
A formation service can save time if you want help with the paperwork. Typical extras include:
- Preparing and submitting your filing for you
- A registered agent for a period or on a subscription (check what’s included and when it renews)
- Operating agreement templates
- Reminders about deadlines like the annual registration
- Help with the EIN application (the EIN itself is still free from the IRS)
If you want that convenience, Bizee is one service to consider. The sticker price matters less than what renews, and at what price. Read exactly which items are included, which are add-ons, and what renews before you buy. You can also read our look at forming a business with Bizee, or compare options in our guide to formation services.
What you can skip: paid EIN filing, “rush” add-ons you don’t need, and bundled extras you won’t use. The only unavoidable cost is the state’s.
Keeping Your Georgia LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC isn’t a one-time task. Here’s how the annual registration works, according to the Georgia Secretary of State:
- Fee: a modest annual fee; confirm the current amount and any service charge
- Frequency: every year
- Due: typically early in the year; confirm the exact window
- First one: generally due in the year after the LLC is formed
The Secretary of State also says LLCs that don’t file can be administratively dissolved. That means the state can end your LLC’s legal standing for noncompliance, which puts at risk the protection you formed the LLC to get.
Check the Secretary of State’s annual registration page for any late penalties or reinstatement steps.
A few habits help:
- Set a calendar reminder for January 1 every year.
- File early in the window, not near April 1.
- Keep your registered agent and address information current. Check the Secretary of State’s site for how to file an update.
- Store your filing confirmation, EIN letter, and operating agreement in one place.
Curious what other states charge? See our LLC filing fees by state roundup.
Georgia LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Georgia?
The Georgia Secretary of State lists the Certificate of Organization (Form CD 030) filing fee at $110: a $100 filing fee plus a $10 service charge. A formation service, if you choose one, adds its own fee on top. Check the Secretary of State’s site for any other requirements before filing.
Is there an annual fee for a Georgia LLC?
Yes. Georgia LLCs file an annual registration each year between January 1 and April 1. The fee is $50 plus any applicable service charge, according to the Georgia Secretary of State.
When is my first annual registration due?
Between January 1 and April 1 of the year after you form it. An LLC formed in October 2026 would file its first annual registration between January 1 and April 1, 2027.
What happens if I don’t file the annual registration?
The Georgia Secretary of State says LLCs that don’t file can be administratively dissolved. Check the Secretary of State’s website for how reinstatement works and for any late penalties.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the agency online for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one. Use only IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Ready to file? Open the Georgia Secretary of State’s how-to guide, have your name and registered agent details ready, and put January 1 on your calendar. Then read our 7-step incorporation overview to make sure nothing else slips through.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
