In Georgia, like in almost all the other states, you need a registered agent to receive the various official documents, tax forms, and even summons that may be sent to your corporation. It’s a crucial job, which is why it’s mandatory in most states. You can’t start and run a business in Georgia without a registered agent.
Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Georgia?
Before you replace your current agent, you need to think about the replacement so you enjoy a smooth transition. For the agent you need, several requirements must be met. First of all, they can be any of the following:
- An individual adult (at least 18 years old) who is a resident of Georgia
- A business entity (such as a professional registered agent service in the State of Georgia).
- A foreign registered agent business entity that’s authorized to do business in Georgia
Whether it’s an individual or a business entity, the agent must also have a Georgia street address. This means a physical location, in which there will always be someone to receive the official documents for your corporation during business hours. It can’t be just a P.O. box.
Steps to Change Registered Agent
To change your registered agent in the State of Georgia, you can only complete the process by making changes to your annual report or by applying for an Amended Annual Registration If you have already submitted your annual report for the year. You’ll start the process online through the ecorp system of the Georgia Secretary of State. You can learn more about how to file the necessary documents on the ecorp system by reading through this link. There are a number of forms you can choose from depending on your business structure, for example, you’ll be completing Form CD 920 if you run an LLC. Meanwhile, if you run a corporation, you’ll need to complete Form CD 900.
You’ll be required to pay a filing fee of 50 dollars to submit your Annual Report. This fee can be paid with cards such as Mastercard, Visa, American Express, etc. However, if you’re filing the Amended Annual report, you’ll be paying a sum of 20 dollars if you’re submitting online, and a sum of 30 dollars (you can pay by writing a check) if you’re submitting through the mail.
Info to Put In
You will be required to enter the following information:
- The name and control number issued to your LLC by the State of Georgia when you formed your LLC.
- Your name as the owner of the business.
- Your valid email address.
- The name and complete business or residential address of the new registered agent for your business, and its entity number if your new agent is an entity.
- The address of your business headquarters in the State of Georgia.
- Details about the Payment
The form has guides and tips to help make sure you put in the exact information asked for. Just read the directions carefully and follow them exactly.
Submission Options
You can only submit the Annual Report online in the state of Georgia since other methods of submission such as Mail, Fax, or submitting in person are not available in the State. However, you can submit the Amended Annual report online and you mail the printed copy of the Amended Annual report through to the address:
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334.
Normally, the state of Georgia will take between 5 to 7 days to complete the process. However, the process can take up to 12 days during a period when all businesses submit their annual reports. Note that you can choose to reduce the processing time of the process by opting for an expedited service which costs 50 dollars only, and the process is completed within 2 days.
Should You Hire a Professional?
This will actually be a lot easier if you’re planning on sifting to a professional registered agent service. The best ones offer exemplary service at extremely reasonable rates. Often, you’re able to download the needed forms with pre-filled information about the service to save time and effort. Northwest Registered agent is one of the most popular companies for this job.
With professionals, you know for sure the job gets done right. They usually have online storage for all the official documents. When they receive the documents for the corporation, the service will immediately scan them so they can send you the digital copies right away. The documents will also be conveniently stored in the same online location as your other business documents, like your formation documents.
Professionals may even maintain a compliance calendar, warning you way ahead of time when you should file a report or comply with some requirement with a deadline. That means you virtually eliminate the risk that you’ll fail to comply with any sort of compliance requirement. Such a failure may lead to fines and penalties, and perhaps even to the dissolution of your corporation. Reinstating your LLC can be a huge hassle, and it’s like starting the formation process for your LLC all over again.
So, if you’re going to change your registered agent in Georgia, you may as well do yourself a favor and switch to a good registered agent service. With the benefits you get with the low costs, you’re able to focus more on growing your business instead.
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