Register a Georgia Foreign Corporation
A foreign corporation is a corporation that does business both in the state it was originally formed in and another state. You must file a Georgia Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Corporation with the Georgia Secretary of Georgia, Corporations Division if you want to conduct business legally within Georgia. You can submit this document online, by mail, or in person. It costs $230 to file (add $5 for paper filings).
You can use our guide below to register your foreign corporation on your own. Or we can help you file and get your business going in Georgia.
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GET STARTEDHow to Register as a Foreign Corporation in Georgia
The process of getting your out-of-state business registered legally to do business in another state is called foreign qualification. In a nut shell, foreign qualification tells the Georgia Secretary of State you are conducting business in the state.
Registering your business in Georgia as a foreign corporation doesn’t create a whole new business entity. Instead, it gives you the right to do business in a new state without to file Articles of Incorporation or get a new EIN.
Here’s everything you need to do to conduct business as a foreign corporation in Georgia.
1. Name Your Georgia Corporation
You’ll need to check that your original business name is available in Georgia. You can use a fictitious name or DBA if your name isn’t available. Check the Georgia Secretary of State business website to make sure your business name is available.
Concerned your business name won’t be available for future foreign registrations? Consider applying for a federal trademark for your business name to ensure it’s available in all fifty states.
2. Designate a Registered Agent
A registered agent is someone who accepts legal mail on your company’s behalf. One of the requirements of a Georgia registered agent is they be located within the state. Since you’re filing from out of state, it may be easier on you to hire a registered agent located within Georgia that can accept any legal mail and get it to you fast.
You don’t have to look far for a reliable registered agent. Northwest offers registered agent service in Georgia and all 50 states, including DC and Puerto Rico.
3. Start Your Business Identity
Once your business is legal in the new state, you’ll want to be ready to connect with customers. Forming your business identity, or the way you present yourself to your potential clients, can help.
Now’s a prime opportunity to start a business website or get a custom business email address.
Your business should have a way to market itself in a new, well, market. Consider getting phone service that has the local area code or a local business address to use on documents where possible.
4. Get Certificate of Good Standing
The Georgia Secretary of State requires all out-of-state corporations filing for foreign qualification submit an original certificate of existence or good standing. You’ll need to get this certificate from your company’s home state. The certificate of existence you submit to Georgia must be no more than 90 days old.
5. Submit Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Corporation
To submit your Georgia Application for Certificate of Authority, you’ll need to include a certificate of existence from your home state. It costs $230 to file online and $235 to file by mail.
Your form should include:
- Corporation name or reservation number
- Name and address of person filing
- Valid email
- Mailing address of principal office
- Certificate of existence
- Registered agent address and name
- Names and addresses of directors and officers
Online:
Georgia Corporations Division Online Services
By Mail or In Person:
Office of Secretary of State
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
How long it takes Georgia to process your paperwork depends on how you file.
- Online: Georgia’s Secretary of State (SOS) will process online applications in about 7 to 10 business days.
- In Person: Filings submitted by mail or in person are processed in about 15 business days after receipt of paperwork by Georgia’s SOS.
- Expedited: Georgia’s SOS offers two-day and same-day processing for $120 and $275 respectively. There is also the option for one hour processing that costs an additional $1,200.
6. Receive Georgia Certificate of Authority
Once your filing is approved, you’ll be issued a Georgia Certificate of Authority. You’ll need to file an annual registration each year between January 1 and April 1. Without filing the annual foreign registration, your Certificate of Authority will be revoked by the Secretary of State.
7. File Georgia Reports and Taxes
Your foreign corporation will now have Georgia taxes and reports to file independent of the ones you file in your home state.
- Income Tax: Georgia corporations pay a corporate net income tax. The corporate income tax rate in Georgia is a flat 5.75%.
- Annual Report: In Georgia, corporations file an Annual Registration (often referred to as an annual report) each year.
Northwest Can Register Your Georgia Foreign Corporation
If doing things on your own sounds overwhelming, boring, or generally like not a good use of your time, we’re ready to help. Our foreign qualification package is $225 + Georgia fees. This includes:
- Registering your business as a Georgia Foreign Corporation. We’ll file your paperwork and let you know when it’s approved.
- Serving as your business’ Georgia Registered Agent. We can be your RA in as many states as you want to expand into.
- Launching your business identity. We’ll get you a digital presence, including a business email address, phone service, and mail forwarding. Plus, we’ll put together a custom website with a domain, web hosting, and security in place. These will all be free for 90 days. After that, most services are $9/month.
- Sending reminders for your Georgia annual report. We can even file this for you. We’ll send you a reminder about the report 90 days before they’re due, and you can either have us file for you or opt out of the service.
Georgia Foreign Corporation FAQs
You’ll submit an Application for Amended Certificate of Authority of a Foreign Entity to the Georgia Secretary of State and pay the $25 online filing fee ($30 fee for paper filings). To withdraw your Georgia Foreign Corporation Application entirely, submit the Certificate of Authority Withdrawal ($5 online/$10 paper filing).
There is no fine line in Georgia’s legal statutes that defines what doing business is or isn’t within its boundaries. Some common reasons for registering a foreign corporation include owning or leasing property, paying employees, or providing professional or retail services in the state.
For more information, check out our resource on what it means to do business in another state.
No.
A person authorized by the corporation.
County filing or publication is not necessary, unless specifically required by the county in which your registered agent resides.
You bet! We can help you with our foreign qualification package that’s only $225 + state fees. You can also add additional services, like premium mail forwarding and a custom website our experts can help you make, for a free trial.