• Do your research to be sure a corporation is the right structure for your business entity.
• Determine if you are a foreign or domestic business entity. A domestic entity is one that is being created for the first time in Georgia. A foreign entity is one that already exists outside of the State of Georgia - whether that is another country or simply another U.S. state. Foreign entities must follow a different procedure to do business in Georgia.
• Select a registered agent for your business entity. The registered agent is the person or entity designated to receive any service of process, documents, or other official communication on behalf of the business. A registered agent must be located in Georgia.
• For a profit corporation, determine the number of authorized shares your company will have. You will need to include the total number of shares when you register your corporation with the Secretary of State.
• For a nonprofit corporation, determine whether the corporation will have members.
• Have any optional provisions prepared in advance. Optional provisions refer to information about the entity that are not required by law, such as 501(c)(3) language for a nonprofit corporation.

• Name of the corporation or a valid name reservation number
• Name and address of the person filing for the corporation
• A valid email address
• Mailing address of the principal office
• Name and address of the registered agent
• Name and address of each incorporator
• Number of authorized shares for a profit corporation
• Any optional provisions you need to add to your articles of incorporation
• A form of payment. Depending on how you apply, your form of payment will be one of the following: credit card, (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover Cards), check, cashier’s check, or money order.

You can register a corporation online, by mail, or in person. Applications can be expedited for additional fees. Each registration method has different processing times and expedite options.

• Provided all of your information is valid and your name has not been taken, you will receive your Certificate of Incorporation within the specified processing time.
• Within 90 days of incorporation, each Georgia corporation must file an initial annual registration that lists three principal officers with the Secretary of State. The fee is $50.00 for profit and professional corporations, and $30.00 for nonprofit corporations. Corporations that form between October 2 and December 31 must file the initial annual registration between January 1 and April 1 of the next calendar year.
• Each year, you must file an annual registration for your corporation between January 1 and April 1. If you do not, your corporation will be administratively dissolved for failure to file your annual registration. You may file an annual registration for a period up to and including 3 calendar years in advance.
• It is important to note that registering with the Georgia Secretary of State is not the only step you will need to take before you can start doing business in the State of Georgia.