What Do You Need to File a Georgia LLC without Hiring Anyone?

The Short Answer

From then on, the recurring obligation is the annual registration with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State's annual registration guide sets the fee at $60.00, whether filed online or on paper. A newly formed LLC files its first registration between January 1 and April 1 of the year after formation, under the Secretary of State's administrative rules. After that, the annual registration guide says it is due by April 1 each year.

Registered agent requirements are not among the facts verified for this page. Confirm them in the Secretary of State's registration guide before filing.

The order of these steps matters more than any single one. The IRS says to form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN, and a business bank account comes after both. The owner can complete each filing listed here without hiring anyone.

Federal beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting does not apply to a Georgia LLC. FinCEN exempts companies created in the United States from that requirement.

Georgia LLC Fees, Deadlines and Requirements

All sources were read September 28, 2026.

The Order That Keeps the Filing Clean

The steps themselves are not difficult. People usually get stuck by reaching a step before the thing it depends on exists. Common examples are applying for an EIN before the LLC is approved, or trying to open a bank account before having either. Work through the steps below in order and each one will have what it needs.

Step 1: Choose a Name and Registered Agent

Before starting the Articles, decide on the LLC's name and on who will act as its registered agent, the person or company that receives official notices for the LLC. The Secretary of State's guide to registering a domestic entity sets out Georgia's rules for both, including what the name must contain and who can serve as agent. Read that section before filling in the Articles.

Step 2: File the Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization are the filing that creates the LLC. The Secretary of State's guide to registering a domestic entity lists a $110.00 total: the $100 filing fee plus a $10 service charge. The same guide explains how to submit the Articles and what information they ask for.

How long approval takes isn't something this guide can state, since it only becomes clear once a filing is submitted. Leave room in any plans rather than counting on a specific date. When approval arrives, keep a copy, because the EIN application comes next.

Step 3: Get an EIN From the IRS

The IRS instructs businesses to form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. Once Georgia has approved the LLC, apply directly with the IRS. The IRS issues EINs at no cost and advises never paying a third party for one.

Step 4: Put the Annual Registration on the Calendar

Georgia's annual registration is the obligation owners most often forget. Under the Secretary of State's administrative rules (590-7-22), a newly formed LLC files its first registration between January 1 and April 1 of the year after it was formed. For every year after that, the Secretary of State's annual registration guide sets the due date at April 1. The same guide allows filing from January 1, and up to 3 years in advance.

The annual registration guide sets the fee at $60.00, whether filed online or on paper, and adds a $25.00 penalty for late filing. The Secretary of State's rules state that failing to file puts the LLC at risk of administrative dissolution. If details change after filing, the annual registration guide lists an amended annual registration at $30.00. Filing several years in advance is one simple way to avoid missing the deadline.

What About BOI Reporting?

FinCEN exempts companies created in the United States from federal beneficial ownership information reporting. A Georgia LLC is created in the United States, so there is no BOI report to file.

Doing It Yourself vs Using a Formation Service

Filing it yourself in Georgia costs $110.00 to form, per the Secretary of State's registration guide. The EIN costs $0, per the IRS, and the annual registration costs $60.00 each year, per the Secretary of State's annual registration guide. The work involves one state filing, one IRS application, and a yearly deadline. For an owner who can meet Georgia's registered agent requirements personally, a service adds little that the state and IRS systems don't already provide.

ZenBusiness pricing is as follows. The Starter plan costs $0 plus the state fee. Pro costs $199 per year, and Premium costs $299 per year. Registered agent service is a separate $199 per year on every tier, including Premium. It is discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with ZenBusiness.

The registered agent role is where a service does the most. For an owner who does not want to act as registered agent, paying for that service is the main reason to use a formation company. Owners in that position can compare ZenBusiness's formation plans. statefilingsteps.com earns a commission on some links, including that one, and this does not change the fact that every step above can be done without a service.

Other formation companies offer similar packages. Their prices change often, so check each company's current pricing as of 2026 before deciding.

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