Skip to content

How to Start an LLC in Atlanta, Georgia

Let Bizee Do the Work for You $0 + state fee

Our $0 formation + state fee gets you on your way to owning your own Atlanta LLC. We’ll file your paperwork with the state of Georgia so you can start making your dream business a reality.

Learn How to Form an
Atlanta LLC Yourself

Check out our DIY guide on starting an Atlanta LLC and find out how you can secure a Registered Agent, name your business, file Articles of Organization, and more.


Enterprising Woman with technical skills

Why Start an Atlanta LLC?

The capital city of Georgia, Atlanta is a bustling urban center and a mecca for media, entertainment, and globally beloved brands. Its location in the heart of the U.S. and the gateway to the South positions it as a travel and transportation hub that serves the entire nation.


Atlanta has grown tremendously over the last few decades and is now an internationally known metropolis that attracts businesses worldwide. But while its size continues to expand, Atlanta still holds true to the Southern ideals of good manners, good hospitality, and good humor. All this goodness could be good news for your small business.


If you want a welcome that’s sweeter than sweet tea on the front porch, you’ll find it when you start your LLC in Atlanta. Read on to learn all the steps you must take in order to start your Atlanta LLC.

Benefits of Starting an Atlanta LLC:

  • Georgia offers statewide business tax credits for small businesses.
  • Forming an LLC in Georgia is generally more cost-effective than in other states.
  • Your LLC will protect your personal assets as well as your privacy.
  • Starting a business in an Enterprise Zone in Atlanta could qualify you for reduced property taxes and other incentives.
  • An Atlanta LLC allows you to be flexible with LLC management and ownership.

The capital city of Georgia, Atlanta is a bustling urban center and a mecca for media, entertainment, and globally beloved brands. Its location in the heart of the U.S. and the gateway to the South positions it as a travel and transportation hub that serves the entire nation.


Atlanta has grown tremendously over the last few decades and is now an internationally known metropolis that attracts businesses worldwide. But while its size continues to expand, Atlanta still holds true to the Southern ideals of good manners, good hospitality, and good humor. All this goodness could be good news for your small business.


If you want a welcome that’s sweeter than sweet tea on the front porch, you’ll find it when you start your LLC in Atlanta. Read on to learn all the steps you must take in order to start your Atlanta LLC.

How to Form an Atlanta LLC Yourself in 6 Steps

A man with a title Start na LLC in the background

Step 1: Complete a Washington, D.C., LLC Search and Choose a Unique Business Name

Your business can’t have the same name as any other business in Atlanta or, in fact, in the whole state of Georgia. Choose a name that’s unique, memorable, and easy to pronounce and spell. There are also some Georgia naming regulations you’ll need to know. To ignite that creative spark, use a Business Name Generator to gather ideas.


Once you’ve picked a name, make sure it’s available in Atlanta by searching all registered businesses in the state of Georgia. Use our Georgia Entity Search to easily determine if your selected name is free to use, or search the Georgia Corporations Division.


If the name you want isn’t available, simply go back to the name generator and keep searching. Don’t forget to double-check for available URLs, as you ideally want your business name and web address to be as similar as possible.

We Can Search the Georgia Company Registry for You

Use Bizee’s Business Name Search Tool
Business Name Search Tool

Step 2: Provide an Official Business Address (or Get a Virtual Address)

Your Atlanta LLC must have a legal street address within the state of Georgia in order to form your business structure. If you don’t have a physical office space or work out of your home, you can still secure a Georgia street address by using a Virtual Address service.


This type of service will provide you with a street address you can use when filing your Articles of Organization, but it also provides other benefits. The service provider will open, scan, and send your mail digitally, so you can check it from anywhere. Important mail will be forwarded to your location, while the rest will be securely shredded and disposed of.

Step 3: Assign a Registered Agent

Every LLC must have a Registered Agent, and you’ll need to list them in the Articles of Organization when filing your business. A Registered Agent is someone who accepts important documents on behalf of your business. This might include tax documents, legal notifications, or subpoenas.


While you can serve as your own Registered Agent, it’s not always the ideal choice. That’s because being your own Registered Agent can compromise your privacy and limit your ability to travel. As a Registered Agent, you must be available during regular business hours year-round. You must also provide an address where you can be reached. It’s likely you don’t want to restrict your ability to travel, reveal your personal address, or receive sensitive documents at home.


Instead, the best practice is to use a Registered Agent service that can appoint you with a Registered Agent in your state.

Step 4: File Your Articles of Organization With the Georgia Secretary of State

Articles of Organization, sometimes called a Certificate of Formation, is the document that makes your Atlanta LLC official. It’s filed with your state’s business formation agency, which is the Secretary of State in Georgia.


To file on your own, you’ll also need to fill out the Transmittal Information Form with the Georgia Corporations Division. Make sure you have all of your essential info together before you begin.

Here’s what you will need:

  • Your business name and address
  • Information about your Registered Agent
  • The purpose of your business
  • Perpetual or limited duration
  • Provisions for internal affairs of the business
  • Names and addresses of all LLC members
  • Name of LLC organizer

Once completed, you can file online with the Georgia Corporations Division and pay the state fee. You also have other filing options, including:

By Mail

Georgia Corporation Divisions

2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE

Suite 313 West Tower

Atlanta, GA 30334

You’ll file Articles of Organization just once, but you’ll need to file an Annual Report every year. You might also need to pay Georgia Corporate Income Tax if it applies to your business.

Let Bizee Handle all the Atlanta LLC Paperwork for You for $0 + State Fee

Form Your LLC Now for Free
Business Formation

What Are the Fees and Requirements to Form an Atlanta LLC?

State Fee

$100

State Filling Time

4 Weeks

Expedited Filing Time

3 Business Days

Annual Report

Frequency

Annually

Due Date

April 1st

Filing Fee

$50

Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) From the Internal Revenue Service

An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is essentially a Social Security number for your business. It’s a nine-digit number that identifies your business to the IRS for tax purposes, but it’s also used in other ways, like opening a business bank account, taking out payroll taxes, approving funding, and more.


You can get an EIN on your own directly from the IRS. It’s free, but you’ll need to do it during approved hours, all in one sitting. That can prove to be a lot of hassle, so if you want some support, you can choose an EIN service like Bizee to file the paperwork and deliver your EIN in one business day.

Step 6: Create an Operating Agreement

Think of an operating agreement as a roadmap for your business. It’s a document that details how your Atlanta business will be managed and operated and is especially useful to have on-hand whenever there’s a conflict, especially between LLC members.


In Georgia, having an operating agreement is not required, but it’s still a best practice for most LLCs. You can create your own operating agreement, but to give yourself peace of mind and ensure the information is completed correctly, you may wish to use an operating agreement template. Get a standalone operating agreement or have it included with your complete business formation package from Bizee.

Get a Custom Operating Agreement Free When You Go With Gold or Platinum Packages From Bizee.

Form a Gold or Platinum LLC
Operating Agreement

Other Atlanta LLC Types

If a standard LLC isn’t right for your Atlanta business, you might want to try one of the following options:

Series LLC

A series LLC allows you to set up multiple LLCs under one parent LLC. At this time, Series LLCs or SLLCs are not permitted by Georgia law.

Series LLC

A professional LLC is just like a regular LLC, but the owner is also a practitioner in a particular professional field. A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is not recognized in Atlanta or throughout Georgia as its own unique entity. However, you can still start a standard LLC as a professional service provider.

Foreign LLC

If you want to start an Atlanta LLC but live in a different state, or if you live in Atlanta and want to start an LLC outside of Georgia, you’ll need to file for foreign qualification. This will make your business a foreign LLC in the eyes of the IRS, allowing you to conduct business.


Read More: Georgia Foreign LLC Registration

Helpful Resources for Atlanta, GA Businesses

Common Questions About Creating an LLC in Atlanta

Are you still wondering about the details of starting an Atlanta LLC? We can help.

01

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Atlanta?

Check the cost to form an LLC in Atlanta here. This is the only fee required to form your business, but keep in mind that it doesn’t factor in any needed licenses or permits, Registered Agent or virtual address services, or other startup costs.

02

How Much Does an LLC Cost Per Year in Georgia?

The cost of starting an LLC in Georgia can be found here. After that, you will need to pay to file an Annual Report every year. You may also incur other ongoing expenses, like annual Registered Agent services or virtual mail services.

03

How Fast Can I Get an LLC in Georgia?

You can get your Atlanta LLC up and running pretty quickly, especially when you file for your Georgia LLC online. It typically takes around four weeks for LLC approval in Georgia, but if you pay an additional fee for expedited processing, you can be approved in about two business days. You can also choose a trusted business formation partner like Bizee. We provide next-business-day processing on all formation orders, and we can also expedite state processing for an additional fee.

incorporate now

Launch your business with bizee

No Contracts. No Surprises. Only $0 + State Fee to Launch Your Business.