With the Peach State’s annual registration period now open for 876,014 corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships, Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminds officers and agents of business entities to submit annual registrations by April 1, 2017. Kemp encourages businesses to take advantage of the state’s user-friendly eCorp platform to submit the required paperwork by this deadline to ensure compliance with Georgia law.

“The new eCorp website demonstrates how technology can make government work better for all Georgia businesses, and I am proud of my team for putting together such an effective business tool for our customers,” stated Secretary Kemp. “Now, customers can process their registrations easier and quicker than ever before, which further solidifies Georgia’s position as the best state in the nation to do business.”

During this year’s annual registration period, officers and registered agents can visit the website without having to log into the system and select one of two options: “One Click Annual Registration” if there are no changes to be made to their business filings or “Express Annual Registration” to update contact information and make other changes. Customers can also download the free “GA SOS” smartphone app to complete an annual registration for a business and, if needed, obtain a digital copy of the entity’s certificate of existence.

This video tutorial is a great asset to teach customers how to use the website and resolve any renewal hang-ups. In addition, customers can call the Corporations Division at (404) 656-2817, submit email inquiries, or contact Secretary Kemp through his Facebook or Twitter account for help navigating the system.

Customers can still log in to https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/Account to file an annual registration and view or download their business’s receipts, notices, and other correspondence in one convenient location. All customers are encouraged to renew their existing business entities and provide at least one valid email address with their filing to protect against business identity theft and receive future renewal notices and important notifications.

In addition to annual registration on the new Corporations website, customers also have the option to file hard-copy annual registrations in person or mail annual registrations with a check or money order to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office at one of three locations: the Corporations Division in Atlanta, the Professional Licensing Boards Division in Macon, or the agency’s South Georgia office in Tifton. Mailed applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2017. Cash is not an acceptable form of payment for renewal or registration fees.

If a business fails to renew by the deadline, it must pay a $25.00 late filing fee or risk administrative dissolution or revocation.