Questions and Answers Regarding Online Renewals

The Office of Secretary of State is pleased to offer online filing of annual registrations. Information filed online will generally be updated the second business day after filing. Please allow three to four weeks for processing of registrations by mail.

Credit card information submitted in payment of the annual registration is provided via a secure server. The information is used only for payment of the fee and is provided to no one for any purpose. The charge description on your credit statement will be "GA SEC OF STATE CORP SERV. GeorgiaNet customers may use that account for payment.

Following, you will find we have addressed many common questions regarding submission of an online registration. If you have any further questions, please call our Customer Service Group at (404) 656-2817.

- Q & A -


When is the registration due?

Registrations for existing entities are due by April 1 of each year. The initial registration for a Georgia corporation is due within 90 days of incorporation. The initial registrations for foreign corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships are due between January 1 and April 1 of the year following filing with the Secretary of State.


What do CEO, CFO and SEC mean?

Those terms stand for Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Many corporations (especially nonprofits and/or churches) do not have officers by those names. Georgia law requires the listing of those officers "or individuals holding similar positions." So, list the individual that best matches that description in the corporation.


Can the same individual hold more than one officer position?

Yes, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 14-2-840(d).


Is my corporation required to have three officers?

O.C.G.A. 14-2-840 sets out the officer requirements for Georgia corporations


What do MEM and MGR mean?

Those terms are applicable to limited liability companies. MEM stands for "member," as defined by O.C.G.A. 14-11-101, and MGR stands for "manager," as defined within the same code section. Listing MEMs or MGRs on the registration is optional.


What does GP mean?

GP means "general partner." General partners are set out in the Certificate of Limited Partnership and cannot be changed on the annual registration. Listing GPs on the registration is optional.


What if the address field won’t accept my full address?

The address field is limited to 30 characters. Abbreviation may be necessary. The Corporations Division recommends the following: Street (St), Boulevard (Blvd), Road (Rd), Building (Bldg), Suite (Ste or S-…). "Peachtree" may be abbreviated "P’tree." Call our Customer Service Group, (404) 656-2817, for assistance as needed.


May a post office box be used?

The registered agent address must be a street address. A post office box or mail drop does not meet legal requirements for the registered office address. The principal office address may be a post office box.


How much is the annual registration?

The annual registration fee for all entities is $30. An amount greater than $30 on the online form indicates that fee(s) from previous year(s) are due. (Note: New Georgia law effective July 1, 2003 changed annual fee to $30.)


Who may file the annual registration?

The registration may be submitted by anyone authorized to do so by the entity. Verification of authorization need not be provided to the Secretary of State.


If the registered agent, officer, or address information changes before the next registration is due, how are the changes made?

Changes are made by filing another registration and paying the fee.


Why can’t my entity be filed online?

An entity may file online only once in a calendar year. A message would indicate this status as appropriate. Entities that have been dissolved or revoked also cannot file online. Our Customer Service Group may be contacted at (404) 656-2817 for further details.