Your business is growing, and you’re planning an expansion to other states. It’s a good problem to have!
But it’s not quite as simple as choosing another location. Because each state has different rules and requirements for business operations, you may need a “foreign qualification” in each state where you plan to do business.
It’s a common misconception that foreign qualification is only for businesses operating outside the U.S. But in this case, “foreign” refers to any business operating in a state that isn’t the state where the LLC was originally formed.
For example, if your LLC is registered in Florida and you are looking to open a second location in Georgia, you may need to complete a foreign qualification in Georgia before you can expand there.
Important Note: If you’d like to save time and have the foreign qualification paperwork taken care of for you, many of the best LLC services can handle this task for you.
Foreign qualifying is essentially asking permission to do business in the state of Georgia. And the notion that “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission” doesn’t apply here. Failing to foreign qualify before starting a business in Georgia yields consequences that are far costlier than registering in the first place. If you fail to foreign qualify, your business:
Transacting business without foreign qualifying will not, however, invalidate any of your existing contracts. It also will not prevent your LLC from defending an action, suit, or proceeding in Georgia courts.
Read it straight from the source in Georgia Code, Sec. 14-11-711.
We’ve established why you shouldn’t do business without a foreign qualification. But what exactly does it mean to “do business” in Georgia? Georgia law doesn’t provide many specifics, but we know from other state and tax laws that generally, you are considered to be “doing business” and required to foreign qualify if:
Another important function of foreign qualification is tax notification. Depending on how your LLC is set up, you may owe annual business income taxes, and foreign qualifying lets Georgia know you’ll be paying them. If you don’t foreign qualify, you won’t be charged these taxes, and it could lead to larger penalties down the road. It’s important to always stay on top of your LLC’s taxation requirements to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
If you’re unsure whether or not you need to file for a foreign qualification in Georgia, we suggest seeking legal counsel.
The foreign qualification, however, isn’t a hard and fast rule for all LLCs performing any kind of action in Georgia. Certain actions do not qualify as “doing business” and therefore don’t require a foreign qualification. Some examples are:
For a more detailed list, see Georgia Code Sec. 14-11-702. You may not have to foreign qualify in Georgia if your LLC’s only business activities appear on the list. But while thorough, this list isn’t exhaustive, so if you’re even a little unsure, it’s best to seek legal counsel.
Foreign qualification in Georgia is simple if you know where to find and send your forms. If you or your legal counsel has decided to foreign qualify your LLC in Georgia, you have a couple of options. First, you can file online, which is the more streamlined route. Go to the Secretary of State’s eCorp system and click “Online Services.” Input your information to create an account, and you’re on your way.
The second option is to file by mail. On the Secretary of State’s website, you’ll find the “Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign LLC” document. Complete the form with all the necessary information, then mail it to:
Office of Secretary of State
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Live in Atlanta? Want to personally watch a government employee accept your form? You can also hand-deliver it to the same address.
All three filing methods require a $225 fee, although if you file in person or via mail, you’ll need to add a $10 processing charge. Filing online, you will be prompted to pay using a credit or debit card. By mail or in person, include a check payable to the “Secretary of State.” All filing fees are non-refundable.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office processes most documents within 5-7 days of receipt. If you’re in a hurry, they offer three different expedited processing options:
After your form is in and your fee is paid, sit back, take a deep breath, and pat yourself on the back. Your LLC is on its way to foreign qualification, and you’re embarking on another chapter in the life of your business.
Before registering your LLC’s true or alternate name, it’s a good idea to review the state’s business name requirements. As a reminder, your LLC name:
The answer to this question lies in your personal preferences, but we can give some general pointers. An attorney will cost the most by a mile, but also provides expertise you won’t find with the other options. The DIY route is free of charge but can require quite a bit of legwork and provides no peace of mind that the process is being completed correctly.
Using an LLC service means your business will be foreign qualified by professionals who know what they’re doing, while also costing significantly less than a lawyer. This “best of both worlds” attribute is what makes LLC services our preferred option.
Using an online LLC service removes much of the hassle from the foreign qualification process. With these services, all you need to do is provide them with the name, location, and industry your business operates in, along with some info about yourself and your registered agent.
The service then registers your Certificate of Authority (or similarly named document) with the state to qualify your LLC to do business there.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Georgia Business Resources
Foreign Qualification by State
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