A Georgia Registered Agent or Georgia Registered Agent Service is required by law for every business entity in the state of Georgia. A registered agent is someone who agrees to accept legal papers on behalf of the business if it is sued. The agent must have a physical address in Georgia and be available during normal business hours.
In my Georgia Registered Agent guide, I’ll walk you through the detailed process of when you should get a registered agent for your Georgia business, how to pick one and whether you should use a professional service to help. Typically you’re getting a registered agent when you setup your Georgia LLC. Check out my guide on how to setup a Georgia LLC so you can make sure you’re following all the right steps in the process. If you are just looking for the professional service to help you – use ZenBusiness.
Best Georgia Registered Agent Service
The best registered agent service is going to be ZenBusiness but Northwest Registered Agent is a close second. There are others like Harbor Compliance but if you’re looking for the best price and service – you should go with the best. You can also consider going with a Georgia law firm but a registered agent service in Georgia is typically the best way to go and using one of the national providers is typically a much better way for you to do this. All of these services are recognized by the Georgia Secretary of State’s office so please make sure if you don’t go with one of these services that you check that it is recognized as one of the Georgia registered agents that will be recognized.
What is a Georgia Registered Agent?
A Georgia registered agent is no different than a registered agent from any other state. It’s a company or individual that has agreed to accept service of process on behalf of your company if it is sued. The registered agent must have a physical address in the state of Georgia and be available during normal business hours. You are required to have a registered agent if you form a corporation or LLC in the state of Georgia. They can accept legal documents on your behalf and will have a street address to be one of the Georgia Registered Agent services.
Why do I need a Georgia Registered Agent?
It’s the law but more importantly you want to have an individual or business entity that is going to be available during all business hours. If you want to go do something during regular business hours, you do need to think about how you’re going to make someone is there at all times. You can act as your own registered agent but if you do this someone can show up at your home address and you will need to be there to accept any legal papers that are served. Your registered office address will be public record so if you decide to do this your home address will show up in public record so remember that as you work on putting together what your Georgia Registered Agent will be.
When should I obtain a Georgia Registered Agent?
When you’re setting up your Limited Liability Company is the best time for you to make sure your Registered Agent’s name is setup for your business entity. A reliable registered agent service isn’t going to be hard for you to find so setup an online account with Northwest Registered Agent and make sure you use them to form your LLC too because they will give you the first year of the registered agent service included as you form your business.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Georgia?
Technically yes you can but again if you do this the registered agent’s address is going to show up in the public record and the last thing you need is your personal home address to show up. It’s also legally required that you are open during normal business hours which is going to be a challenge too. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office is going to want to make sure the registered agents in their state are recognized so make sure you have it setup in a way where you’re using a national provider vs. being your own registered agent.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?
Typically you’re going to find services that are between $50-200 per year. A Georgia annual registration will need to be done in a timely manner and tied to your formation documents. If you’re going to be setting up your LLC at the same time typically you’ll need your business documents to be tied into when and how you setup your registered agent.
Whether the business entities you’re looking to setup with a registered agent is one of the Georgia corporations or Limited Liability Companies doesn’t really matter. The type of business entity and the cost associated to the registered agent service is less important than actually knowing that you have a service that is going to accept official documents on your behalf. It is legally required to have this service to accept legal notices on your behalf.
How Do I Elect A Registered Agent In Georgia?
The first thing you’re going to want to do is make sure the individual or company you’re looking to use as your registered agent is qualified. If they have an office in the state of Georgia and they are available during normal business hours, then you’re good to go. The next step is to list them on your formation documents. This is one of the basic services your business needs to have.
Another service would be a virtual mailbox or mail forwarding but those aren’t required by law. It is important to have a business address in your state but as a business owner who needs a registered agent and LLC formation service to make sure you have the right legal coverage for your domestic corporation, foreign corporation or the LLC you’re setting up.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In Georgia?
The first thing you need to do is make sure the new registered agent is qualified under state law. You’ll need to find a new service or individual that meets this criteria before you can move forward with updating your business entity’s information. After you’ve confirmed that, the next step would be to file the necessary paperwork with the state.
You can go to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Business Page here to get the right paperwork to file this.
After you’ve setup the right registered agent service for your business you’ll be ready to to start actually building your business.
Conclusion
Now that you understand what a registered agent is and that it’s required by law, make sure you get some help from a professional service like Northwest Registered Agent for the steps above.
If you decide to do this on your own, make sure you follow the instructions above. If you’re in the beginning of your journey on setting up a Georgia LLC make sure you read my guide on how to start a Georgia LLC.
Registered Agent FAQ
Does Georgia require a registered agent?
Yes, all business entities in Georgia are required to have a registered agent.
Is there a difference between a statutory agent and a registered agent?
No, they are the same thing.
Does registered agent mean owner?
No. The term registered agent refers to the individual or business entity that is designated to receive service of process on behalf of the LLC.
How long does a registered agent have to be in Georgia?
There is no minimum time requirement for a registered agent in Georgia.
What are the consequences of not having a registered agent in Georgia?
If you do not have a registered agent in Georgia, your LLC may be dissolved.
What is a registered agent service?
A registered agent service is a business entity that is designated to receive service of process on behalf of the LLC.
Best Registered Agent
The best option for your registered agent service
