Registered agent for a Georgia LLC
Data last updated: Apr 22, 2026The quick read on Georgia registered agents
Every Georgia LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The role is to receive service of process (lawsuit papers), state tax notices, and other official government mail on the LLC's behalf. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Georgia and meet the requirements, or hire a commercial service for typically $99 to $299 per year.
Georgia-specific rules matter. The statute is O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209. The registered agent's address goes on the public state record, so most owners who want privacy use a paid service to keep their home address off the record. Owners who live in the state and don't mind the public listing often save $100 to $250 per year by serving as their own agent.
Who can serve as a registered agent in Georgia
Georgia allows an individual Georgia resident at least 18 years old with a Georgia business address, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Georgia, to serve as registered agent. PO boxes are not accepted. The agent must be available during business hours to accept service of process.
Georgia does not maintain a commercial registered agent registry, so any qualifying person or entity can serve without pre-registration. Filings all go through eCorp, Georgia's online business portal. The LLC's own member or manager can serve if they meet the residency rule. For the full picture on forming a Georgia LLC, see our Georgia LLC formation guide.
What Georgia requires of a registered agent
- Physical street address in Georgia
Not a PO box, not a mail-drop. The address becomes part of the public record visible on the Secretary of State's business entity search.
- Available during business hours
Typically 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The agent has to be physically present (or have staff present) to accept service, not just reachable by phone or email.
- At least 18 years old and a resident or registered entity
Individual agents must be 18+ and reside in Georgia. Entity agents must be registered to transact business in Georgia.
- Written consent on file
Georgia requires the registered agent to consent in writing to serve. Formation services handle this automatically when you sign up. For an individual agent, a simple signed consent letter suffices.
Georgia statute and change-of-agent rules
| Statute | O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209 |
| Change of registered agent form | Annual Registration or Statement of Change of Registered Office or Agent |
| Change filing fee | $5 |
| Online filing | Accepted |
| Processing time | 5 business days |
| Commercial agents must register separately | No |
Choosing the right registered agent in Georgia
Georgia residents running the LLC from a stable in-state address can legitimately self-serve and save $100 to $250 per year. Your address goes on the public eCorp record. The main compliance checkpoint is Georgia's $50 annual registration, due April 1, which you'll need to track if you self-serve.
For non-Georgia residents, a commercial service is required. National pricing runs $99 to $149 per year (Bizee $119, Northwest $125, ZenBusiness $99 first year). Georgia has a modest local boutique market, primarily in Atlanta, with some agents at $75 to $125 per year. Northwest at $125 with price-lock is the common default. Because Georgia's $250 reinstatement fee is comparatively steep, a service that tracks and files the annual registration pays back quickly if compliance discipline isn't your strength.
Registered agent services that operate in Georgia
National commercial registered agent services operate in all 50 states plus DC, so every provider below accepts Georgia LLCs. Sorted by annual renewal cost. Click the service name for the full review.
| Service | Annual renewal | Trustpilot | Review count |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenBusiness | $99/yr | 4.8 | 28,984 |
| Bizee fka Incfile | $119/yr | 4.7 | 25,227 |
| MyCorporation | $120/yr | 3.7 | 279 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125/yr | 3.8 | 217 |
| CorpNet | $149/yr | 4.9 | 1,205 |
| doola | $197/yr | 4.6 | 2,005 |
| Tailor Brands | $199/yr | 4.7 | 14,203 |
| BizFilings | $220/yr | 4.5 | 170 |
| Inc Authority | $249/yr | 4.9 | 46,831 |
| LegalZoom | $249/yr | 4.6 | 30,014 |
| Rocket Lawyer | $250/yr | 4.5 | 9,717 |
| Firstbase | $299/yr | 4.8 | 1,045 |
If you let your Georgia registered agent lapse
Under O.C.G.A. § 14-11-603, the Georgia Secretary of State can administratively dissolve an LLC that fails to maintain a registered agent or file its $50 annual registration. Notice is sent to the LLC's registered office address, and dissolution follows if the issue isn't cured within 60 days. Reinstatement requires a $250 reinstatement fee plus any unpaid annual registrations ($50 per year). A three-year lapse can cost $400 or more to fully remedy. Georgia's reinstatement fee is among the higher in the southeast, so keeping the agent and annual registration current matters.
Georgia filing agency
Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division
- Website
- sos.ga.gov
- Phone
- (404) 656-2817
- 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334
- Office
- 214 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
- Hours
- 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can serve as a registered agent for a Georgia LLC?
An individual Georgia resident at least 18 years old with a Georgia business address, or a domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Georgia. PO boxes are not accepted. The agent must be available during business hours to accept service of process. The LLC's member or manager can serve if they meet the residency rule.
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How much does a Georgia registered agent service cost?
National services price between $99 and $149 per year (Bizee $119, Northwest $125, ZenBusiness $99 first year). Georgia has a modest local boutique market, mainly in Atlanta, with some agents at $75 to $125 per year. LegalZoom charges $249 without meaningfully better service than Northwest at $125.
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Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia?
Yes, if you're a Georgia resident at least 18 years old with a Georgia business address and availability during business hours. Your address appears on the public eCorp record. You'll also need to track the April 1 annual registration deadline ($50), since missing it triggers the administrative dissolution process.
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What does it cost to change my Georgia registered agent?
$5 for a standalone Statement of Change, filed online through eCorp. If you're changing agents as part of the annual registration, it's bundled into the $50 fee. Processing typically takes about 5 business days. Most commercial services handle the change for free when you switch your RA to them.
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What happens if my Georgia LLC loses its registered agent?
The Secretary of State sends notice to the LLC's registered office and allows 60 days to cure under O.C.G.A. § 14-11-603. If uncured, the LLC is administratively dissolved. Reinstatement costs $250 plus any unpaid $50 annual registrations. A three-year lapse totals $400 or more to fully remedy.
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How does Georgia's annual registration affect registered agent compliance?
The annual registration is where Georgia reports current registered agent information. The $50 registration is due April 1 and is the primary compliance event for Georgia LLCs. Missing it triggers both the agent-lapse and registration-lapse enforcement paths at once. A commercial RA service that tracks and files the annual registration (Northwest, Bizee Gold tier) prevents the most common dissolution scenario.
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Do I need a registered agent for a Georgia LLC?
Yes. Georgia law requires every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Georgia and availability during business hours. There is no exception for inactive or small LLCs. If the LLC loses its registered agent and doesn't designate a replacement within the state's grace period, Georgia begins administrative dissolution of the entity.
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How much does a registered agent service cost in Georgia?
National services range from $99 per year (ZenBusiness) to $299 per year (Firstbase). The $190 average is close to the market median. Georgia-based local registered agent services also operate in the state, typically pricing between $50 and $150 per year.
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How do I change my registered agent in Georgia?
File Annual Registration or Statement of Change of Registered Office or Agent with Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. The fee is $5. Online filing is accepted. Processing takes about 5 business days. Most formation services handle this paperwork for free when you sign up.
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Is the registered agent fee tax deductible?
Yes. Registered agent fees are an ordinary and necessary business expense deductible on the LLC's federal tax return (Schedule C, Form 1065, or 1120/1120-S depending on tax treatment). Georgia state tax treatment follows federal on this deduction. Keep the invoices with your tax records.
Related
Sources
- Statute: law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-14/chapter-11/article-2/section-14-… · verified April 22, 2026
O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209 requires every Georgia LLC to continuously maintain a registered office and registered agent in the state. Part of the Georgia Limited Liability Company Act, Title 14, Chapter 11. - Change of agent: sos.ga.gov/corporations-division · verified April 22, 2026
Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division. Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent filing fee is $5 (or filed as part of the $50 annual registration). Online via eCorp. - Penalty: law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-14/chapter-11/article-6/section-14-… · verified April 22, 2026
O.C.G.A. § 14-11-603 authorizes administrative dissolution. Reinstatement fee $250 plus any unpaid $50 annual registrations.