With the Peach State’s annual registration season now open for 790,843 corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships, Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminds business officers and registered agents to submit annual registrations by April 1, 2018. Kemp encourages individuals to utilize the user-friendly eCorp platform to submit required documents by the deadline to comply with Georgia law.

“Last year, a record-breaking 653,646 business entities filed annual registrations with the Secretary of State’s office. This figure shatters the record from 2016,” stated Secretary Kemp. “It has never been easier to file and maintain your company’s registration in the Peach State, the best state in the nation in which to do business for five straight years. In every capacity, we are streamlining our operations, implementing better technology, and prioritizing economic growth to ensure our state’s continued success.”

In June 2015, Secretary Kemp rolled out a new, state-of-the-art filing platform – eCorp – for businesses. Georgia boasts one of the most user-friendly systems in the nation for filing a new or existing business.

During this year’s annual registration period, officers and agents can visit the website and select one of two options: One Click Annual Registration if there are no changes to be made to 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 and, if needed, obtain a digital copy of the entity’s certificate of existence.

This video tutorial can teach customers how to use the website and resolve any renewal hang-ups. Customers can also call the Corporations Division at (404) 656-2817 or submit email inquiries for assistance.

Starting January 1, 2018, registered agents will be able to e-file multiple annual registrations at one time. Customers can always log in to their account to file an annual registration and access their business’s receipts, notices, and other records in one location. They are encouraged to provide a valid email address to protect against business identity theft and receive important notifications.

Customers can 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 the Corporations Division in Atlanta, the Professional Licensing Boards Division in Macon, the North Georgia office in Cartersville, or the South Georgia office in Tifton. Mailed applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2018. Cash is not accepted.

If a business fails to renew by the April 1, 2018 deadline, it must pay a $25.00 late filing fee or risk administrative dissolution or revocation.