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Register Your South Carolina LLC in Georgia

Step-by-step foreign qualification requirements, fees, and filing instructions for South Carolina LLCs expanding into Georgia.

Cost Summary

Georgia filing fee: $235
South Carolina Certificate of Existence: $15
Annual obligation in Georgia: $60/year
Estimated year 1 total: $310

Note: Year 1 total includes the $235 filing fee in Georgia, the $15 Certificate of Existence fee from South Carolina, and $60 in first-year Georgia state charges. Registered agent fees (typically $100-$200/year) are not included.

South Carolina data last reviewed Aug 1, 2026 · sos.sc.gov

Georgia data last reviewed Aug 1, 2026 · ecorp.sos.ga.gov

How to register your South Carolina LLC in Georgia

Check name availability in Georgia

Before filing, verify that your LLC name (or a distinguishable variation) is available in Georgia. If your exact name is already taken, you may need to register under a fictitious or assumed name.

Search Georgia business names ↗

Get a Certificate of Existence from South Carolina

Georgia requires a Certificate of Existence from South Carolina to prove your LLC is in good standing. The fee is $15. Available to order online. No expiration printed; foreign-state applications typically require dating within 30-90 days.

Order from South Carolina ↗

File the Application for Certificate of Authority in Georgia

Submit your application along with the Certificate of Existence and the $235 filing fee. Processing time is 7-10 business days. Expedited processing available for $100. Online filing is available.

Georgia filing portal ↗

Appoint a registered agent in Georgia

You must designate a registered agent with a physical address in Georgia to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC. This is required as part of the foreign qualification application.

Ongoing compliance in Georgia

Annual report: $60/year
Report due: April 1
Processing time: 7-10 business days
Expedite: $100

Important to know about Georgia

The annual registration is $60, being a $50 filing fee plus a compulsory $10 service charge. Guides quoting $50 or $55 are using stale figures.
Operating unregistered triggers a single $500 penalty rather than an annually recurring one, plus the accumulated fees.

Already operating in Georgia without registering? Our guide to what Georgia charges unregistered LLCs covers fines, back fees, and court access.

Activities that do NOT require registration in Georgia

Maintaining or defending a lawsuit
Holding meetings of members or managers
Maintaining bank accounts
Conducting isolated transactions completed within 30 days
Selling through independent contractors

Per O.C.G.A. Section 14-11-702. Non-exhaustive list.

Need a registered agent in Georgia?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗

Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Registered Agents Inc

$200/year · Report filing included, state fees extra

Visit site ↗

Harbor Compliance

$99 first year, then $149/year · Full-service compliance option

Visit site ↗

Not sure which service fits? Our full Northwest Registered Agent review and Harbor Compliance review cover pricing, renewal terms, and where each one fits.

Need a business address in Georgia?

A virtual mailbox gives your LLC a professional address in Georgia for mail forwarding, public filings, and banking, without leasing office space.

Northwest Mail Forwarding $20/mo

Unique suite number + unlimited digital mail scanning

Learn more ↗

Registered Agents Inc $50/year

10 mail scans/year + unique suite number

Learn more ↗

Independent mailbox providers

iPostal1

Largest address network in the US. Best budget option for a registered business address.

From $14.99/mo Visit site ↗

Alliance Virtual Offices

Real commercial address inside a staffed office center, with an Address Certification Letter for banking and registration.

From $49/mo Visit site ↗

Bizee

Commercial street address with unlimited mail scanning, cheapest bundled with Bizee formation.

$29/mo Visit site ↗

Check your full compliance

Use our free tool to check if you need to register in additional states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Sources

https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify all fees and requirements with the Georgia Secretary of State before filing.