Information about setting up new company

For-profit corporations

• A corporation is a legal entity, created by statute (i.e., the state) with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a natural person; possessing the attributes of limited liability, centralized management, continuity of life and free transferability of interest.

The name of the corporation

• The name shall include the word "Corporation", "Company", "Incorporated", "Limited", or an abbreviation thereof. The name shall not exceed 80 characters, including spaces and punctuation. The name may not contain language stating or implying the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by Georgia law or the articles of incorporation. The name may not contain anything that, in the reasonable judgment of the Secretary of State, is obscene. The name must be distinguishable from the other corporation names in the state.

Corporations are formed by filing articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State. The minimum filing requirements of Georgia law are outlined herein. Many other provisions may, and perhaps should, be included in the articles. It is very simple to incorporate. The question of whether or not a person or entity should incorporate is complex. The Corporations Division strongly recommends that filers obtain professional legal, tax and/or business advice to assure the filer’s goals and intentions are met, and that requirements of the law are satisfied, both before and after incorporation.

Articles of incorporation must include the information described in O.C.G.A. 14-2-202 (profit) or O.C.G.A. 14-3-202 (nonprofit). Articles must be submitted on white 8½x11 paper. An incorporator named in the articles or the filing attorney should sign articles of incorporation. If the Chairman of the Board of Directors or corporate officer of a profit corporation has been elected, he or she may sign the articles. Beneath the signature, the signer should indicate in what capacity he or she is signing.

• Articles of Incorporation containing the following information :
• • The exact name of the corporation.
  • The number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. This will be the maximum number of shares the corporation can issue without later amending its articles to provide for a greater number. The number cannot be "0."
  • The street address and county of the initial registered office and the name of initial registered agent at that office. The registered office address must be a street address; a post office box, mail drop or mail center is not sufficient. The registered agent may be an individual or another entity. The registered agent must be able to be personally located at the registered office. This is the party designated by the corporation to accept notices on its behalf, and to alert the appropriate corporate personnel.
  • The name and address of each incorporator. The incorporator(s) is the person(s) who signs the articles of incorporation, delivers them to the Secretary of State for filing, and then organizes the corporation.
  • The corporation’s initial principal mailing address. The principal office address may be a post office box, unlike the registered office which must be a street address. The principal mailing address is the address to which any correspondence from the Corporations Division to the corporation will be sent.

• Filling Fees :
• • Filing Fee $100.00