If you're looking to start a new business in Georgia, there's one important step you need to remember: appointing and maintaining a registered agent.
This is a legal requirement according to Georgia state law, and it's crucial to keeping your business running smoothly.
But what exactly does a registered agent do? For starters, they act as your official point of contact for legal matters in the state of Georgia, including accepting mail, legal notifications, and service of process (lawsuits) on behalf of your business.
Without a registered agent, you run the risk of missing critical deadlines, such as filing your annual report and articles of organization and the payment of state fees — which can cause your business to lose its good standing.
That's why it's so important to choose a reliable registered agent for your business. Not only will they ensure that you stay compliant with state regulations, but they'll also give you peace of mind knowing that your legal obligations are being taken care of by professionals.
Table of contents
- Who can be a registered agent for a Georgia LLC?
- Top Georgia professional registered agent services
- Can I be my own registered agent in Georgia?
Who can be a registered agent for an LLC in Georgia?
In Georgia, there are requirements that a person or entity must meet to serve as a registered agent for an LLC (limited liability company). These requirements are outlined by the Georgia Secretary of State Business Division and include the following:
- Individual or entity: A registered agent can be either an individual or a business entity that is authorized to do business in Georgia.
- Georgia business address: The registered agent must have a physical street address in Georgia. This physical address is known as the registered office and will be the location where legal documents and notices are delivered. A P.O. box is not acceptable.
- Availability: The registered agent must be available during regular business hours to receive service of process and other official documents at the registered office address.
List of top 8 registered agents in Georgia
Now that you’re familiar with the requirements for a registered agent let’s take a look at the eight best registered agents in Georgia.
1. The Pilgrim Law Firm
The Pilgrim Law Firm is another Georgia legal firm that provides business formation and registered agent services to LLCs.
It has two convenient offices in Atlanta, one on the north side and one on the south side. An extra perk: Attorneys at Pilgrim Law Firm offer free initial consultations.
- Price: Request a quote
- Visit Website
- Address: 3715 Northside Pkwy., Building 100, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30327
2. Northwest Registered Agent (Our Partner)
Northwest Registered Agent is our top choice for the best registered agent in Georgia.
Founded in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent has earned a solid reputation in the industry for its top-notch customer support and human-first approach to problem-solving.
Instead of dealing with a generic customer service representative, Northwest ensures that you'll have access to dedicated corporate guides who are experts in their field and can provide knowledgeable, consistent, and efficient support tailored to your business’s needs.
Northwest Registered Agent offers many valuable services, including mail forwarding and comprehensive privacy protection, as well as help with business formation.
- Price: $125/year
- Visit Website
- Address: 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 100N, Roswell, GA 30076
3. Robertson & Gable
The attorneys at Robertson & Gable have helped Georgia business owners since 1984.
While it specializes in business formation services, it also offers registered agent services.
- Price: Request a quote
- Visit Website
- Address: 5875 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 170, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
4. Hight Law
Business attorney Ted Hight has formed hundreds of LLCs, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and non-profits in Georgia, Delaware and a dozen other states across the country. He has unique insight into the common and uncommon issues that entrepreneurs face when forming their startups.
Hight Law offers flat fee registered agent services with no hidden fees. It's the only attorney on the list who publishes its rate. So you're guaranteed to have no surprises when the bill comes.
- Price: $149/year
- Visit Website
- Address: 8000 Avalon Blvd., Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009
5. Sparks Law
Sparks Law is a top-rated Georgia business law firm that offers full-service business law consultations, including registered agent services.
- Price: Call for quote
- Visit Website
- Address: Multiple locations throughout Georgia, including Alpharetta, Atlanta, Duluth, Johns Creek, and Roswell
6. Simmons Rogers
Simmons Rogers offers registered agent services to both existing businesses and those in need of assistance with formation. The law firm can also help you with any business law matters you encounter, such as contract review, resolving owner disputes, and drafting agreements.
Having an attorney as a registered agent provides an additional layer of privacy for your business. An attorney can discreetly handle situations in their office, away from your business operations or personal residence.
- Price: Call for quote
- Visit Website
- Address: 4045 Orchard Rd. SE, Suite 210, Smyrna, GA 30080
7. Cobb Law Group
Often overlooked in selecting a registered agent is the jurisdictional aspects–the company’s legal jurisdiction is the Georgia county in which its registered agent is located, as this is where a lawsuit against your business will be tried. Some counties have a reputation for being “friendly” to business, and others are not.
The Cobb Law Group offers two offices in Georgia from which to choose your legal jurisdiction–Fulton County, Georgia, in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta and Thomas County, Georgia, in south Georgia.
- Price: Call for quote
- Visit Website
- Address: 3355 Lenox Rd., Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30326
8. Cooper, Barton & Cooper
Cooper, Barton & Cooper is a full-service law firm providing strategic representation for businesses of all sizes. That includes helping you form your LLC and acting as your registered agent.
These Macon-based formation lawyers can also advise you about how to obtain all required business licenses you'll need according to state and local requirements. Best of all, Cooper, Barton & Cooper offers free initial consultations.
- Price: Call for quote
- Visit Website
- Address: 170 College St., Macon, GA 31201
Can you be your own registered agent in Georgia?
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Georgia. However, you may still want to consider hiring a professional registered agent service provider, as there are a couple of drawbacks to being your own registered agent:
- Privacy: By serving as your own registered agent, your personal information will be publicly available.
- Availability: As your own registered agent, you must be present at your registered address during normal business hours to receive service of process, which can be challenging due to work, vacations, or other commitments.
While it doesn't cost anything to act as your own registered agent, many people prefer to use a professional registered agent service to avoid these potential issues and maintain a separation between their personal and business lives.
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Last updated: Apr 2024