How To Register The Name Of My Business In Georgia

Step 1: Choose a Business Structure

Recommended: Nosotros typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs because this construction comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty easy to maintain.

If you would like to utilize a service, read our guide on the best LLC germination services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Past default, sole proprietorships operate as the same proper noun as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

To use a unlike proper name to conduct concern, the business possessor(s) must file for a Georgia trade name — too commonly referred to as a doing business as (DBA) proper name.

Step 2: Cheque Proper name Availability

When registering a business organisation name, it's important to make sure information technology's unique and no one else in your state formed a visitor with it or has command of information technology online as a domain proper name.

Domain Name Search

We strongly recommend that you also bank check to see if your business concern proper noun is available equally a web domain (URL). Fifty-fifty if you don't programme to create a business website today, yous may want to buy the web address to prevent others from acquiring that domain proper noun. If the web domain is available then it'south likely the name will also be available in a business search.

Find a Domain At present

Georgia Business Proper noun Search

Next, search the Georgia Corporations Sectionalization business organization search tool. This is an important step in the process because your filing will exist denied if you attempt to file for a name already in use.

Search requirements can vary depending on your business needs. For example, a unique and available name is required to:

File for formal business structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA proper name for any business organisation construction.

A state-level name search isn't required for informal business structures like sole proprietorships or full general partnerships in Georgia. Merely, if you decide to register a merchandise name or DBA name, you'll need to search the database to run into if your desired name is unique and available.

Step 3: Form Your Business concern With the State of Georgia

Once you have selected your business structure and proper name, you volition demand to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business concern with the land of Georgia.

To annals your Georgia LLC, you'll need to file the Manufactures of Organisation with the Georgia Corporations Segmentation. Y'all can apply online or past mail. Read our Grade an LLC in Georgia guide for details.

Or utilise a professional person service similar ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to course your LLC for you.

To annals your Georgia corporation, you lot'll need to file the Manufactures of Incorporation with the Georgia Corporations Division. Read our Form a Georgia Corporation guide to learn more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Concern Proper name With a Trademark (Optional)

Once you lot confirm the availability of your business organization name and secure it, you tin choose to apply for a trademark for your business concern. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus whatsoever chaser fees equally well as a renewal fee every 10 years.

While this cost tin be loftier for a start-upwardly or fledgling business, it will give your company brand nationwide protection backed by federal police force. That means if others effort to practice concern with the aforementioned — or a similar — proper name as yours, you'll have legal precedent on your side. For almost small businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Modify the Name of a Georgia Concern

Irresolute the proper name of a business in Georgia can be washed in ii ways: by filing for a merchandise name or by submitting an subpoena to the legal name of an existing business.

The outset method, filing for a trade name (too known as a DBA name), is the easiest manner to operate your business organization using a unlike proper name without needing to modify its legal name.

A DBA name is the only fashion for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a different business concern proper noun. Information technology's as well the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avoid filing an subpoena or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with brand names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal proper name.

If y'all want to change the legal name of your LLC or corporation, however, filing an amendment to the legal proper name of an existing business is your all-time choice. Here are links to forms for both options:

Articles of Amendment for LLCs
Articles of Amendment for corporations

You may submit both online or by postal service. The form requires a $xx fee to file online or $30 to file by mail service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does information technology take to get a business concern license in Georgia?

In-person applicants tin can typically obtain their concern license in just a few hours. , Applications submitted by post, on the other hand, can take three to five weeks for processing.

Does Georgia crave a business concern license?

The state of Georgia doesn't require a general business license in order to operate a business as long as your business has the proper taxation registrations. Businesses located in the metropolis of Atlanta must, still, obtain a business organization license.

To verify the permits and licensing you'll need to operate a business in your county, contact your local chamber of commerce.

What is a Certificate of Good Standing?

Known in Georgia every bit a Certificate of Existence, a Certificate of Skilful Standing verifies that your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained. Obtaining this certification may exist necessary in order to apply for specific licenses and permits.