Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminds officers and registered agents of corporate entities registered in Georgia that the annual registration renewal period has begun. The deadline for the annual registration renewal period is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Georgia law requires all corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships to file annual registrations with the Secretary of State and pay the renewal fee. Business entities that fail to renew by the deadline will be charged a $25 late filing penalty fee and risk being administratively dissolved. 

Customers are encouraged to renew their existing corporate entities and provide at least one valid email address with their filing. Customers can then receive future renewal notices and important notifications related to their filing in email format. 

Customers are also able to file hard copy annual registrations with a check or money order by mail to P.O. Box 23038 Columbus, GA 31902. Customers can also file in person at the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division, in Atlanta, the Professional Licensing Boards Division, in Macon and the agency’s South Georgia Office, in Tifton. Absolutely no cash is accepted for payment of renewal or registration fees.

If customers wish to submit their annual registration by mail, please ensure the annual registration form is filled out properly and is submitted with the correct fee. Below is a list of common mistakes or errors that can delay the processing time of annual renewals and corporate filings submitted by mail:

·  Payment received without application. 

·  Wrong form submitted with application or registration.

·  Incorrect fee amount submitted with application or registration.

·  Registered agent lists an out of state or P.O. Box address.

·  Information provided on the application or registration is incomplete. 

·  No signature or improper signature on the application or registration.

Customers who are unsure of an entity’s status should visit the Corporations Division website and search for their company by name or control number. If the status is “Active/Noncompliant” or “Active/Owes Current Year AR,” the entity likely owes annual renewal fees.

For more information regarding annual registration renewals, please review our training guide at http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/corporations/corporations_training_guides_for_online_filing_and_annual_registrations. If you continue to have any issues or questions, you may contact the Corporations Division at 404-656-2817 or visit www.sos.ga.gov/corporations .