Do you have Georgia on your mind? Georgia is a good place to start a business but, like any other state, it has rules about business names. The first thing you will need to do is find a name the state will approve. You can do that with a business name search. Running a business name search will result in you picking a name that is distinguishable and unique. Georgia won’t let a business register with a name belonging to another business within the state.
This guide will help walk you through how to do a business name search and offers tips on creating a business that will put it on everyone’s minds.
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How to check business name availability in Georgia
The most challenging part of a business can be picking a distinguishable name. Here are some instructions on how to do that in Georgia.
1. Go to the Georgia Corporations Division website
The corporation division is under the Georgia Secretary of State. There is an easy-to-use search tool to search for business names.
2. Type in the business name or some keywords
This can be an exact business name you want to use or some keywords you might use in the name.
3. Hit search
You can hit the search button and it will bring up all the names of businesses with names that either match yours or are similar to the one you are considering. You may need to do several searches to find a name that is distinctive.
4. Consider reserving a name
After running a Georgia business name search, you have two options: You can reserve a name or you can register the name. You should reserve the name if you aren’t planning to set up the business immediately.
Georgia allows business owners to reserve a name for 30 days for $25. ($35 if filing a paper form). You will give the state three choices and they will try the choices in order. If the first is rejected, they will move on to the second and then the third.
If all three are rejected, you will get a notification and will need to pick three more and pay another $25.
To do so, you’ll fill out a quick form and provide the payment.
Again, you don’t need to reserve a name if you plan to officially set up your business with the state of Georgia but if you’re just doing some homework and plan to set up your business later, reserve the name now so it’s not taken when you’re ready.
5. Check domain name availability
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to name your Georgia business
Now that you know a little more about the business landscape in the state, it’s time to start generating a list of names for your business. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Write down basic details about your business
Start by creating a verbal picture of your business. Think about what your business will offer and who it will serve. Will you sell a specific product or service? Who’s going to buy it? Jot down a few details about your company as a starting point.
Next, start creating a list of adjectives that describe your business. Think in terms of keywords. What keywords would your customer use to find the product or service that you offer? Write them down.
2. Stay away from initials and hard-to-say words
There are plenty of businesses that include initials, like A&J Plumbing, but consider upping your game with something a bit more creative and descriptive.
The same goes for names that are hard to say. If your last name is Stackowaski, for example, it’s not conducive to a business name because it’s too hard to pronounce.
3. Don’t pigeon-hole your business
Be careful not to select a name that limits your company’s potential growth. Think about where your business will be in five, ten, even twenty years, and take that into consideration when creating a name.
A company named Bob’s Bargain Books, for example, is a good name, but what if they plan to sell vintage records and cassettes down the road? The name only refers to books, so when vintage music is added people won’t associate it with the store.
4. Consider using a name generator
At this point, you probably have a list of a few ideas. Rather than brainstorm a bunch of different combinations, why not try a name generator? You simply enter a few of the adjectives that you came up with into the search bar and you’ll get a list of possible names.
Name generators can take some of the hassles out of creating a name. Most name generators will only show you available names too, which is helpful.
Check out some of Namechk’s name generators below:
What kind of business structure is right for your Georgia company?
As you research available business names in Georgia, you’ll also want to think about what kind of business you want to establish. There are a handful of options to choose from, but some of the most common are Sole proprietorship and LLC.
- A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with no employees that want to test their business out. There’s virtually no paperwork to set up this kind of business, which is a plus. However, a sole proprietorship is not a separate business entity, which means you’re financially and legally responsible for any problems that might arise.
- An LLC, or limited liability company, provides a certain amount of liability protection. Your personal assets and your business are separate with this business structure, which means if the business is sued or goes bankrupt, you will not be forced to use your personal cash reserves to bail the business out.
Steps to register your Georgia business
Ready to set up your business in GA? Here’s what you do:
1. File your Articles of Organization
Visit the California Secretary of State website and fill out the Articles of Organization. To fill this out, you’ll need to have an available business name, address, and contact information.
2. Name a registered agent
You’ll also need to name a registered agent. A registered agent is the point-person for your company who will receive important documents like tax notices or legal documents.
A registered agent must be trustworthy and be available during regular business hours when documents are delivered. The business owner can serve as the registered agent in Georgia, or another person or company can be named.
You might decide to name your accountant or co-founder, for example. You can also hire a registered agent service to serve in this role. Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee are a few examples. These companies will receive documents on your behalf and notify you of their arrival.
3. Pay the filing fee
Every state charges a filing fee to file LLC formation documents with the government. In Georgia, the cost is $100. There is an additional $10 fee for paper filing.
4. Wait for approval
Georgia will review your application and typically provides approvals within 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, your business is officially set up.
Our picks of the best registered agent services
Georgia small business facts
Before you head for the Peach State, you need to know some facts about Georgia’s economy by looking at the U.S. Business Administration profile.
- Georgia has 1.1 million small businesses that call it home. That makes up 99.6% of all businesses in the state.
- There are 1.7 million employees that work for small businesses. That makes up 43.1% of the workers in Georgia.
- Georgia’s unemployment was 11.9% in 202, up from 3.5% in 2019. The 2020 unemployment rate is lower than the 14.7% national rate.
- There were 15,010 companies that exported products in 2018 and 13,195 or 87.9% of those were small firms. The small firms generated 26% of the state’s $37.6 billion in total exports.
- Top industries in Georgia include accommodations and food service, health care and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, retail and construction.
FAQs
To further help entrepreneurs, check out these frequently asked questions about starting a business in Georgia:
Why is it so important to check on business name availability?
Georgia will not allow two businesses in the state to have the same name. There are many reasons for this, but at its core, it’s to avoid any confusion. For example, if someone plans to sue Bob’s Fruit Stand and there are two of these companies in the state, things can get complicated quickly.
All businesses must have a unique name. And, you can’t just add a hyphen to a name to make it different. Each name must be “distinguishingly different.”
Can I renew my reserved name when the time expires?
Yes, you can continue to reserve your chosen name beyond the 30 days of reservation. You will need to resubmit your form and send in another $25.
Are there other fees in Georgia when I register my business?
The state requires you to file your annual registration between Jan. 1 and April 1. The cost is $50. There is a $30 penalty for filing past the deadline.
How long does it take to get approved for a business registration filing in Georgia?
Typically, the wait time to get approval is 7 to 10 business days after the division receives your application. However, there are certain times of the year when the office becomes swamped in applications and then it will take longer.
Busy times are between December and January, as well as at the end of each financial quarter. That is late March, late June, and late September. It could take 15 business days to get your approval during those times.
Why do you have to do an annual registration?
An annual registration shows the business still exists and gives the business owner a chance to change officers, change the address or phone number, or make changes to the registered agent. It is Georgia law to file it annually.
Does Georgia ask for detailed things like bylaws or shareholders?
No, Georgia doesn’t require that you submit that information. The business keeps a copy of its bylaws at the company and also should have a list of shareholders at its corporate office.
Do company officers have to be a minimum age?
No, there isn’t a minimum age for a company’s officers. However, all members of a corporate board must be at least 18 years old.
How many officers does Georgia require to be listed?
Georgia requires three officers to be listed. They are the chief executive officer or president, the chief financial officer or treasurer, and the secretary. Additionally, the same person can hold all three offices.
Must my registered agent live in Georgia?
Yes, Georgia law states a registered agent must live in Georgia. Additionally, each entity must also maintain a registered office in Georgia.
Do you also need a business license in Georgia?
Technically, no. The state doesn’t mandate businesses have a general business license. You can operate legally throughout the state with the state tax certificate. However, local cities and counties will require a business license if you have a break-and-mortar store and may require one for some home businesses, depending on where you are located.
It’s best to check with the local jurisdictions before you jump into a business to see what they require.
Is there assistance for entrepreneurs in Georgia?
The state has a lot of information available to anyone looking to start a business in the state. However, there are special resources for women, minorities, youth, and veterans looking to start a business. The state small business page explains them.
What does Georgia consider to be a distinguishable name?
Georgia sets name availability standards that each name must be vastly different from other businesses. An article in front of a name like “The Donut Shop,” adding the entity type like “LLC” and other things like using plural forms of the name and punctuation will not pass Georgia standards.
The state won’t approve unique spellings of the name belonging to another business.
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