Defination of a Foreign Entity Georgia?
If you are a domestic entity in your state and want to transact business in the state of Georgia, you are responsible to register a foreign corporation or a Limited Liability Company in the state of Georgia to legally operate. In the United States, the companies are formed at the state level and does not give you an automated authorization to do business in all states by just registering in one state.Therefore, you have to get a certificate of authority to transact business other than your home state.
What happens, if the foreing entity name is not available with GA Secretary of state?
You have to file a DBA (Doing Business As) with the Georgia County Recorder Office where you want to do business in Georgia.
Do you have to reserve Foreign Enntity Name in Georgia?
It is not required, but you can do so.
How to obtain a certificate of authority doing business in Georgia?
- Submit certificate of good standing of your home state corporation or Limited Liability Company to prove that your entity is legally registered with the secretary of state and in a good standing. Georgia Secretary of State will not grant you a permit to do business in GA, if your home state entity is not in a good standing. Certificate of good standing or certificate of existence should not be more than 90 days old.
- You must have a valid registered agent address to start a foreign corporation in Georgia and PO Box address is not acceptable to the GA Secretary of state.
- Complete Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Corporation in order to register an out of state entity in Georgia.
- You have to choose a tax structure either a C Corporation or an S Corporation.
Other requirements to maintain a foreign entity in Georgia
- Obtain licenses, if required to do business in Georgia.
- File foregn enity annual report with the GA secretary of state annually to transact business.
How long does the state of Georgia take to process a Foreign Corporation Application?
- Regular filing may take weeks to process your application
- Expedite process to register foreign entity takes 24-48 hours, but the state of Georgia charge additional fee.
What happens, if the company is no longer in business?
You must dissolve the Georgia Foreign Corporation or Limited Liability Company, if you are no longer doing business in Georgia.
