A Georgia certificate of good standing confirms that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was founded lawfully and is being properly maintained.
In this Certificate of Good Standing Georgia tutorial, we will go over the qualifications for good standing as well as how to get one in Georgia.
Table of Contents
How Do I Obtain a Georgia Certificate of Good Standing?
Request your certificate of good standing, also known as a proof of existence in Georgia, from the Secretary of State.
There are two major processes involved in obtaining your certificate of good standing:
1. Maintain your LLC’s compliance
2. Request a certificate of good standing.
What exactly is a good standing certificate? A certificate of good standing is a state document that confirms your company was created lawfully and has been properly maintained.
Step 1: Ensure that your Georgia business is in compliance.
To be eligible for a Georgia certificate of existence, your company must meet the following state compliance requirements:
Permits and Licenses
To run a company in Georgia, you must adhere to federal, state, and municipal licensing requirements. Regulations such as health permits and construction permits are examples of this.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s website has further information on state licensing requirements.
State levies
Depending on your company activity, you may be required to register for several types of Georgia state tax. Sales tax, withholding tax, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax are all examples of this.
Annual Registrations
Every Georgia LLC and company is required to complete an annual registration. This report confirms the company’s fundamental facts, such as its primary office location and registered agent.
This report is filed with the Secretary of State online and is due each year on April 1. The application cost is $50.
Step 2: Request a Georgia Certificate of Good Standing.
Once your company is in good standing with the state, you can apply to the Secretary of State for a Georgia certificate of existence. This is something that can be done online.
Is a Certificate of Good Standing Required in Georgia?
While you don’t always need a certificate of existence to run a business in Georgia, there are a few situations where you might. These are some examples:
Purchasing commercial insurance
Applying for commercial loans
Establishing a business checking account
Getting a business license in another state
