How to Get Georgia Certificate of Existence


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
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Get Georgia Certificate of Existence

Are you looking to expand your business operations or secure financing for your company in Georgia? One essential document you’ll need in such situations is the Certificate of Existence. This certificate is an official document issued by the state authorities to confirm that your business is compliant with state regulations and requirements. The Certificate of Existence is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the Georgia LLC filing or a corporation or any other form of business, the Certificate of Existence must be obtained.

We will share the in and out of Georgia Certificate of Existence in this article. We’ll also discuss the various scenarios when you might need this certificate and provide helpful tips to ensure your business remains in good standing with the Georgia authorities. We recommend you read the article on how to get Georgia Certificate of Existence till the end. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

What is Certificate of Existence in Georgia

The Certificate of Existence is a document that every business in Georgia requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Georgia. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, your Certificate of Existence will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities.

What Information You Have in Georgia Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Existence will have-

  • The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
  • The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
  • The current name and address of the business entity
  • Whether the business entity exists today
  • Name and address of the Resident Agent
  • The State where the document is issued
  • A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements.
  • A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Existence

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in Georgia is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Existence. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Existence because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business.

How to Obtain Georgia Certificate of Existence

The Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Existence, you must fill out the form and send it to the Georgia SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

The first thing you need to do is get the form. The form is available on the state SOS website. You can download the form and mail it or submit it online. The following points are required to mention in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the detail of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number.

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended to share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from Georgia SOS. If you request the document in person, you can take the return in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it.

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of copies of the certificate from SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain more than one copy of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended to get more copies of the certificate for future use.

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a Fax copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: If you want, you can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the Georgia Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation, amendments, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional and you can avoid this. With every copy you request, you must pay a stipulated fee.

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, whichever is available and more convenient. Send the form to the Corporations Division,, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE,, Suite 313 West Tower,, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. for offline filing. You can also submit the form online. For that, you must go to the Georgia SOS official website and search for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Existence. The amount depends on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The Certificate of Existence’s processing time varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. It can take a few days to a few months to obtain the Certificate of Existence in Georgia.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Existence

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the Georgia SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Georgia, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Existence.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence in Georgia is a character certificate of any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document every now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons,

  • To get business loans and advances or investors
  • To get business bank accounts
  • To purchase insurance for business coverage
  • To renew licenses & permits
  • To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC.
  • To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another.
  • To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Georgia Certificate of Existence is needed.

FAQs

What is a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
A Georgia Certificate of Existence is an official document issued by the Georgia Secretary of State that certifies the existence of a business entity in Georgia.
How do I obtain a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
To obtain a Georgia Certificate of Existence, you must submit an application to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
How do I know if I need a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
Generally, if you are doing business in Georgia or engaging in activities that require proof of your business’s existence, you may need to obtain a Georgia Certificate of Existence.
What information is required to obtain a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
You will need to provide your business entity’s name, state of formation, and the date of formation.
How much does a Georgia Certificate of Existence cost?
The cost of a Georgia Certificate of Existence is $20.
What is the turnaround time for obtaining a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office typically processes Georgia Certificates of Existence within three to five business days.
How long is a Georgia Certificate of Existence valid for?
A Georgia Certificate of Existence is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
How often do I need to renew my Georgia Certificate of Existence?
Generally, you will need to renew your Georgia Certificate of Existence annually.
How do I renew my Georgia Certificate of Existence?
To renew your Georgia Certificate of Existence, you must submit a new application to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
How can I check the status of my Georgia Certificate of Existence?
You can check the status of your Georgia Certificate of Existence by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
What happens if I fail to renew my Georgia Certificate of Existence?
If you fail to renew your Georgia Certificate of Existence, your business entity may be dissolved by the Georgia Secretary of State.
Can I obtain a copy of my Georgia Certificate of Existence?
Yes, you can obtain a copy of your Georgia Certificate of Existence by submitting a request to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
What forms of payment does the Georgia Secretary of State accept for Georgia Certificate of Existence applications?
The Georgia Secretary of State accepts payment in the form of check, money order, and major credit cards.
Does the Georgia Secretary of State accept rush orders for Georgia Certificate of Existence applications?
Yes, the Georgia Secretary of State accepts rush orders for Georgia Certificate of Existence applications for an additional fee.
How do I know if my business entity is in good standing with the Georgia Secretary of State?
You can check the status of your business entity with the Georgia Secretary of State by visiting their website.
Where do I submit my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
You can submit your Georgia Certificate of Existence application to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office in person, by mail, or online.
What is the mailing address for the Georgia Secretary of State?
The mailing address for the Georgia Secretary of State is
What are the operating hours for the Georgia Secretary of State?
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Do I need to include my original signature on my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
Yes, your Georgia Certificate of Existence application must include your original signature.
How do I contact the Georgia Secretary of State?
You can contact the Georgia Secretary of State’s office by phone at (404) 656-2817 or by email at [email protected].
Does the Georgia Secretary of State provide customer support?
Yes, the Georgia Secretary of State provides customer support via phone, email, and their website.
Can I make changes to my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
Yes, you can make changes to your Georgia Certificate of Existence application provided all changes are made before the application is submitted.
Are there any additional fees for making changes to my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
No, there are no additional fees for making changes to your Georgia Certificate of Existence application.
Is a Georgia Certificate of Existence the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?
No, a Georgia Certificate of Existence is not the same as a Certificate of Good Standing. A Certificate of Good Standing is a separate document that must be obtained to verify that a business entity is in good standing with the state.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Good Standing and a Georgia Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the Georgia Secretary of State that verifies that a business entity is in good standing with the state. A Georgia Certificate of Existence is an official document issued by the Georgia Secretary of State that certifies the existence of a business entity in Georgia.
Does the Georgia Secretary of State offer expedited processing for Georgia Certificates of Existence?
Yes, the Georgia Secretary of State offers expedited processing for Georgia Certificates of Existence for an additional fee.
How do I cancel my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
You can cancel your Georgia Certificate of Existence application by contacting the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
Is there a penalty for cancelling my Georgia Certificate of Existence application?
No, there is no penalty for cancelling your Georgia Certificate of Existence application.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Existence in Georgia?
A Certificate of Existence can be obtained by submitting an online request or by mailing a signed and dated request to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
What is a Certificate of Existence in Georgia?
A Certificate of Existence is a document issued by the Georgia Secretary of State’s office indicating that an entity is in good standing.
What information is needed to request a Certificate of Existence in Georgia?
When submitting an online or mail request for a Certificate of Existence in Georgia, you will need to provide the name of the entity, the entity’s formation date, and the entity type.
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Existence in Georgia?
Online requests for a Certificate of Existence in Georgia typically take one business day to be processed. Mail requests can take up to three weeks to process.
Does a Certificate of Existence in Georgia expire?
A Certificate of Existence in Georgia does not expire.
Is there a fee to obtain a Certificate of Existence in Georgia?
Yes, there is a fee of $25.00 for a Certificate of Existence in Georgia.

Also Read

Why Georgia Certificate of Existence is So Important

The Georgia Certificate of Existence serves as proof that a business entity is duly registered and authorized to conduct business operations within the state. It verifies the legitimacy of a business and confirms that it is compliant with state regulations and requirements. While this may seem like a formality on the surface, the certificate plays a vital role in the functioning and credibility of a business.

For starters, the Georgia Certificate of Existence is often required when seeking funding or entering into business transactions. Lenders, investors, and potential partners may request this document to ensure that the business is in good standing and fully operational. Without a valid Certificate of Existence, a business may find it difficult to secure funding or attract partnerships, hindering its growth and sustainability.

Moreover, the certificate is essential for maintaining legal compliance and protecting the business from potential liabilities. By regularly renewing the Certificate of Existence, a business demonstrates that it is up-to-date on its annual filings and obligations. This can help shield the business and its owners from legal repercussions, ensuring a smooth operation without interruptions or penalties.

Additionally, the Certificate of Existence provides a sense of trustworthiness and credibility to customers, vendors, and clients. When consumers see that a business holds a valid certificate, they are reassured that the business is legitimate and reliable. This can enhance the reputation and goodwill of the business, attracting more customers and fostering long-term relationships built on trust.

Furthermore, the Georgia Certificate of Existence serves as a valuable record for keeping track of business compliance and history. By maintaining an up-to-date certificate, a business can easily demonstrate its operational status and track its progress over time. This can be particularly helpful during audits, legal disputes, and other situations where proof of compliance and legitimacy is required.

In essence, the Georgia Certificate of Existence is a foundational document that underpins the credibility, legality, and functionality of a business entity. It is not just a piece of paper but a tangible representation of a business’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and professionalism. By prioritizing the maintenance of this certificate, businesses can safeguard their operations, build trust with stakeholders, and thrive in the competitive market landscape.

Ultimately, the Georgia Certificate of Existence is more than just a bureaucratic requirement – it is a badge of honor that signifies a business’s dedication to integrity and compliance. As such, every business should recognize the importance of this document and ensure its timely renewal and upkeep. By doing so, businesses can lay a strong foundation for success, growth, and sustainability in the ever-evolving business world.

Conclusion

The Certificate of Existence is a vital document for any business entity in Georgia, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. If you plan to establish the same business in another state, obtaining a Certificate of Existence is necessary.

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