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Georgia Registered Agents: Understanding Their Role and Responsibilities

By Alison K Plaut

Published on 17 Jul 2023 4 min read

When you form a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) in Georgia, you must appoint a registered agent to receive all official business correspondence. Look for a Georgia registered agent that offers reliability, as missing a critical deadline could mean your business could lose the authority to function in Georgia. 

Read on to understand the responsibility of a Georgia registered agent and tips to select the best option for your business. 

What Is a Georgia Registered Agent?

A Georgia registered agent is a person or entity appointed to receive official correspondence for a company. This can include legal documents and official correspondence from the state for compliance.

When you choose a Georgia registered agent, that person or business entity will function as the official point of contact. The registered agent must have an address in Georgia and be available during normal business hours. Appointing a Georgia registered agent ensures that your company receives all compliance correspondence and legal services of process.

In Georgia, a company cannot be its own registered agent. However, the registered agent could be the business entity’s owner, shareholder, or officer. You can also use a business attorney or a professional corporate service as the registered agent.

What Is a Registered Office in Georgia?

As the name implies, a registered office is the physical street address in Georgia where the registered agent operates during regular business hours. The registered agent will receive official government and legal documents in the registered office.

What Are the Legal Duties of a Georgia Registered Agent?

According to the state of Georgia, the registered agent is the “mailbox” for an LLC or a corporation. The legal duties of a Georgia registered agent center around receiving legal documents and official correspondence. The registered agent is then responsible for forwarding all correspondence to the Georgia LLC members or corporation owners. Possible communications a Georgia registered agent receives include:

• Government correspondence
• Business documents, such as a notice of the annual report
• Litigation documents or a process server related to a lawsuit against the entity
• Legal documents, such as a subpoena 
• Other compliance-related documents, like correspondence from an insurance company.

Why Is a Registered Agent Required in Georgia?

Georgia requires a registered agent for all business entities to ensure clear communication with the business entity for state or other requirements. Every Georgia registered agent must maintain a physical office and be available during regular business hours to ensure reliable delivery of important documents.

Does Georgia Require Registered Agent Consents?

Yes, the registered agent must consent to perform the said role in Georgia. Your company’s registered agent can be anyone who accepts the appointment, is physically located in Georgia, and is aged 18 or older. 

When Do You Need a Georgia Registered Agent?

Every business entity that is located in Georgia or does business in the state must have a registered agent. This includes for-profit and nonprofit corporations and limited liability companies. 

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Georgia?

Georgia specifies requirements for a registered agent for corporations or LLCs in the state. The registered agent can be an individual or entity that resides in the state or is authorized to transact business in Georgia, as long as they have a physical address in the state. 

How to Choose a Registered Agent Service in Georgia?

If you’re planning to hire a registered agent service in Georgia, consider the  following points:

Service Cost

For any business, expenses matter. It’s important to weigh the price of a registered agent service with the features or services they provide. The cost of a registered agent in Georgia ranges from $25 to $300.  Consider each service’s value to choose the best option for your company. 

Features 

While the basic responsibility of registered agents remains the same, how they offer mail forwarding and additional services varies. Some registered agents give you online account access, offer scanning and forwarding, and can also facilitate online LLC formation. Look for a registered agent that offers a balance of services required by your business. 

Reputation

A reliable registered agent service should have a strong track record of exceptional service with positive online reviews. Check reviews on Google, Trustpilot, or the BBB to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a particular Georgia registered agent service. 

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Georgia Registered Agent?

The Secretary of State will reject your filing if you don’t have a registered agent in Georgia when filing for business formation. After formation, a business without a registered agent in Georgia could face fees or penalties. The registered agent requirement gives the public and the state a reliable way to contact your business.

How to Change Registered Agents in Georgia?

If you change the registered agent’s information, including the registered address, you must inform the state immediately. You can change the registered agent or registered office in Georgia of the filing entity by updating the annual registration or filing an amended annual registration with the Georgia Secretary of State Business Division. You may also change the registered agent from yourself to a professional service. 

You’ll need to provide:

• Name of the business entity
• Name of the current registered agent
• Current registered office street address
• Street address of the new registered office (if applicable)
• Name of the new registered agent
• Address of the new registered agent 

You can also contact the Georgia Secretary of State’s business division online with additional questions. 

Expanding Your Georgia Company

As a business owner, finding reliable support to manage additional services can free up to focus on your core business. Georgia registered agent services are a low-cost and reliable way to ensure you receive all official correspondence and meet legal requirements. Likewise, Doola Bookkeeping services offer exceptional accounting services for busy founders like you. Get Doola books to save time on accounting and focus on business growth.

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