Are you an entrepreneur starting your new business in Texas? Before you can get started officially, you have to form your LLC.

One of the first questions you’ll probably have is about the Texas LLC costs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover exactly how much it costs to form an LLC in Texas to help you on your entrepreneurship journey.

Quick Summary

When it comes to forming an LLC in Texas, there are specific requirements that applicants need to meet. If you are in a hurry and don’t want to read through all the details that we have provided below, we will make it easier for you!

To start an LLC in Texas costs $300. This fee is paid to the Secretary of State of Texas when you file the certification of formation of your LLC.

Form Your Texas LLC Quickly

Texas LLC Costs

Apart from the Certification of formation, there are several other costs that you need to consider when you form an LLC in Texas. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Certification of Formation Filing Fee

The first thing that you need is to file the Certification of Formation. This is the largest of the Texas LLC costs and the filing fee for this is $300. If you file the Certificate online, it will take 2 to 3 business days. If you file it by mail, it will take 7 to 10 business days.

Whether you file the certificate of formation online or send a hard copy, the cost is the same. For expediting the filing process, you can pay an extra $25 fee as well. The good news is that you have to pay the filing fee only once. To maintain your LLC, you don’t have to keep paying monthly or annual subscriptions.

Once your LLC gets approved, the Secretary of State will send you a Certificate of Filing, a Welcome Letter, along with a stamped copy of the Formation certificate.

Texas LLC Name

For starting an LLC in Texas, you don’t have to reserve a name as an obligatory step. However, it can be helpful if you reserve a name for your LLC. For example, if you are working out some business details and have a perfect name for your company in mind, then it is a good choice to apply for a name reservation.

For $40, you will get exclusive rights to the name for 120 days. If you want to renew your subscription after that, you can do so as well. You can reserve the name either online or by filling a paper form. However, if you have worked all the details and are prepared to file your LLC, then you can get the Certificate of Formation instead of reserving a name.

Simply call the state or email them before you file the Certificate of Formation in order to check if the name you want for your LLC is available. Registering your company name in this scenario will not cost you any money.

Texas Registered Agent

If you are forming an LLC in Texas, you are obligated by the law to nominate a registered agent for your company. Are you asking what a registered agent is? Well, let us explain. Your state needs a reliable and credible way of communicating with you and your business.

An individual or a professional service must be there during regular business hours to receive legal documentation from the state. This person or service is the registered agent for your business. Therefore, it is very important to designate a registered agent for your LLC.

Your registered agent will not only handle the sensitive tax and legal documents but will also keep your business compliant with state law.  You can become your own registered agent or you can hire a professional to do so for you.

If you become your own registered agent, it will not cost you anything. However, you will have to be available during the working hours, in case the state contacts your business. Furthermore, your address will become a part of the public records and you don’t want people to violate your privacy, now do you?

Moreover, it will be an added responsibility and as humans, we are likely to make mistakes and miss deadlines on important legal documents.

Therefore, we recommend that you hire a professional registered agent like Northwest or ZenBusiness to take care of your needs. With affordable prices and discounts for the first year of usage, you will be in very safe hands.

Texas Operating Agreement

You would need an LLC operating agreement as well. There are several websites that will help you get an LLC operating agreement as a part of their LLC formation packages, or as a standalone feature as well. The operating agreement outlines the hierarchy of the company as well as the operating rules of the company.

It doesn’t matter whether you are forming a multi-member LLC or a single-member company. There are a few things that every operating agreement should have such as naming the organizational members, their role and positions, etc.

The rules should shed light on important matters such as management and voting, capital contributions, distribution of profits, dissolution rules, etc.

Texas EIN Number

Once your business is formed, you will need a federal tax ID known as the EIN (Employer ID Number). There are plenty of incorporation services out there that will get your EIN for nominal charges. However, you can get an EIN from the IRS for your newly registered LLC free of cost.

To hire employees for your business, you will have to create an account with the Texas Workforce Commission. Here, you can register an unemployment tax account, learn about the employment law, and file unemployment taxes.

Texas LLC Bank Account

Every company needs a business bank account to manage its finances. If you keep your personal account separate from the business account, it will help a lot when you will file your tax returns. It doesn’t cost any money to open a business bank account.

Once you get your EIN, you can go to the local bank, and get in touch with them to create a bank account for your business.

Texas Franchise Tax Reports

Depending on the size of your business, and the revenue you generate, you don’t pay the franchise tax to the Texas Comptroller’s office. However, you do have to file the report for the franchise tax even though your total revenue is below the threshold.

Moreover, you also have to file a PIR i.e. Public Information Report. To file both of them, you don’t have to pay anything. Usually, you have to file the first PIR a year after your LLC has been formed.

Texas Business Attorney Fees

Do you have any questions regarding the LLC incorporation process? Do you have any concerns that you want to address? You can get in touch with a business attorney to alleviate your fears. Even though business attorneys are not cheap, they do provide professional business advice that can help you in the long run.

Moreover, you can also contact the customer services of reputed incorporation services like ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent and get your queries answered.

Foreign Qualification Fees

If your LLC was formed in some other state, and now you are expanding into the state of Texas, you will have to pay the foreign qualification fee. Instead of the Certificate of Formation, you will have to get the Application for Registration.

You will have to pay a steep price of $750 for your application. You can apply for registration online or through a paper form.

Business Licenses

You need a few more licenses apart from the Certificate of formation to do business in the state of Texas. The type of license and the cost will depend on the type of business you are doing as well as the location of your business. Your LLC might require state, federal, or local permits to legally operate.

Contact the Texas Department of Licensing & regulation to see if your LLC needs any permits or licenses. Moreover, you need to contact the local chamber of commerce in your area to learn about any licensing requirements.

Once you have created your Texas LLC, you will require a sales tax permit to do business in the state. You can apply for the permit online. There are going to be a few other business licenses that your city or county might require, so it is always a good idea to do your homework first.

How to form a Texas LLC Yourself

Now that you know the costs of creating an LLC in Texas, is time for the big question: how to register a Texas LLC yourself? Well, don’t worry – with the help of a few tips and tricks, you will be able to form your LLC in no time!

Before you file your paperwork, you need to plan out your business details, hierarchical structure, business operating rules, etc. This will be helpful when you actually file your articles of organization with the state and you are required to provide the information.

Naming your Texas LLC

The first step in starting your LLC in Texas is finding a suitable name. Make sure that you choose a name that is available and is not already being used by some other entity. Moreover, the name should meet the Texas business naming requirements. Lastly, if the name is available as a web domain, that would be a huge advantage for you as well.

Your business name needs to have the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or any of its abbreviations such as L.L.C, LLC, Company, Co., Ltd., etc. Moreover, it should not have any words or phrases that would confuse your company with a governmental agency such as the FBI, State Department, etc.

It is a good idea to read the Texas Secretary of State’s guidelines to learn more.

Choosing a Registered Agent

All LLCs in the state of Texas have to designate a registered agent to act as the LLC’s point of contact with the state. The individual you choose as your registered agent must be 18 years of age or older. Moreover, they should have a physical address in the state.

They have to ensure their availability during normal business hours so that the state can get in touch with them if required. You can become your own registered agent. However, there are plenty of incorporation services out there, like ZenBusiness and IncFile, who give discounts and a free year of registered agent services if you use their services. We recommend that you check them out and take a load off your shoulders.

Filing your Articles of Organization

Once you have appointed your registered agent, the next step is to file for the certification of formation. You will have to pay a $300 fee for this certificate. You will be required to fill in the information regarding the type of business entity you want, the membership structure of your company, etc.

Creating a Business Operating Agreement

You are not legally obligated to have a business operating agreement, but it is a good choice to get one. A business operating agreement is a document that outlines the hierarchy of your company as well as lays down some operating rules for your LLC.

It not only ensures that all the owners and partners are on the same page, but it also avoids future conflicts. If you choose a quality LLC formation service such as ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent, you will get business operating templates as part of their LLC formation packages at very nominal prices.

Getting an EIN

The last thing that you need to do is obtain an EIN from the IRS. It is basically the social security number for your business. With the help of an EIN, you can open your business bank account, file federal taxes as well as state taxes. Moreover, you can hire employees for your company as well.

Cost to Form a Texas LLC: Conclusion

You must be thinking that it costs a lot to get your LLC up and running. Don’t worry, most of these charges are one-time fees, and you won’t have to pay them again. Moreover, if you hire professional incorporation services, then you can get features like business operating templates, registered agent services, etc. at discounted rates.

As a new business owner, you are bound to be swamped with loads of pending tasks. Forming an LLC is a time-consuming process and instead of spending your time sorting out paperwork, you should let a professional LLC formation company help you form a Texas LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

To form my Texas LLC, do I need a business attorney?

If you are planning to start a new business in the state of Florida, the first thing you need to check the availability of the business name by doing a Florida business entity search with the Division of Corporations under the umbrella of Florida Department of State.

Every business owner needs to ensure that the required business name of their liking is available for registration with the relevant authorities. The Florida Division of Corporations provides this service through their website which you can access from anywhere around the world, without any charges.

The search on the website can be performed through various parameters.  It can be done on entity name, registered agent name, officer name, partner name, zip code, street address, document number, and even through Florida Employment Insurance Number (FEIN).

We will give a rundown of the complete process to make it easy and convenient for you to verify whether the business entity name of your liking is available for registration in the Sunshine State or not.

Search by Name

Step 1

In order to search the name of General Partner (GP) or Limited Liability Partner (LLP), you can visit this webpage. The following page will appear on your screen:

Whereas, to search the name of any other business entity type, you can visit this webpage.  After opening this webpage, you will see the following screen.

The process of the search remains the same whether you are searching for GP/LLP or any other business entity type like Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC) etc. For simplicity, we will be looking into the search process for the latter as they are more common and prevalent than GP/LLP.

Step 2

We select “Entity Name” as the parameter and write “John” in the search engine. The following results are provided.

As you can see, a list appears with the document number and the status of every business entity name that has the name “John” in it. The document number is unique for every business entity name. There are seven different statuses of business entity names, which are as follows:

1. Active:  The status of the business entity is active and the business name is taken.
2. Inactive: The status of the business entity is non-active and the business entity name is available for use.
3. Inactive/UA: The status of the business entity is non-active and the name of such business entity is available after a certain period. In case of a business entity name being revoked or business entity dissolved administratively, the business entity name will be available for use after a period of one year from the date of dissolution or revocation. On the other hand, if the business entity name is voluntarily dissolved, then the name is not available for a period of 120 days following the date of voluntary dissolution. After this period, the business entity name will become once again available.
4. Inactive/MG: The status of the business entity is non-active due to merger with another business entity.
5. Inactive/CV: The status of the business entity is non-active as a result of conversion.
6. Name HS: This is the previous name of a business entity.
7. Cross Ref: This is the name of the business entity in its home state. This means that this business entity name was not available in Florida and as a result the business must use a different name in the state of Florida, which is the cross-referenced name.

Step 3

Once the list appears, you can get the individual detail of every business entity name by clicking on the respective Corporate Name for which you require more information.

You can go through the details that have been made public by the Florida Department of State to ensure whether the business entity name is taken or not. You can also find other details such as the nine-digit EIN number that is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to the respective business entity. You can also find other information like the date on which the filing for the business entity name was done. Principal and Mailing address for that respective business entity name along with the name of the Registered Agent will also be given. In addition to this, you can also view details of Officer or Directors of the business along with the Annual Reports if available as public record.

After going through all the details, you will be able to finally determine whether the business entity name to your liking is available or not and whether you can proceed with the registration of that particular name.

Search by Officer/Registered Agent/Partner Name

Step 1

If you want to search the business entity name through an agent or partner, then you can return to the respective webpages for GP/LLP and other business entity types and select the “Officer/Registered Agent” as the parameter.

Webpage For Other Business Entities:

Webpage For GP/LLP:

You need to ensure that the name of the agent/partner is entered in the correct format. The system requires that the last name be entered first, followed by first name and then the middle initial. However, the search engine also has the ability to accept partial names as well. We will be using Smith (last name) and Alan (first name) for searching the database in our example.

Step 2

Once the search is done in the required format, the list appears as shown below with Entity Name and Entity Number:

For more information, you can click on the respective Officer or Registered Agent. You will be taken to the page of the business entity in the Division of Corporations database that is registered against the Officer’s or Registered Agent’s name.

Search by EIN/FEIN

Step 1

If you want to search the business entity name through Federal Employer Identification (FEI) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) then you can return to the respective webpages for GP/LLP and other business entity types and select “FEI/EIN” as the search parameter.

Webpage For Other Business Entities:

Webpage For GP/LLP:

The nine-digit FEI/EIN can be entered in the search tool here. If the nine digits are accurate, then the first result will show the exact FEI/EIN number searched. In our case, we searched for”543288296” and it gave us the respective document number and the corporate name shown in the image below. Meanwhile, the remaining results show the FEI/EIN numbers that are a near match of the searched number.

Search by Document Number

Step 1

If you want to search the business entity name through a unique document number then you can visit these respective webpages for GP/LLP and other business entity types.

Webpage For Other Business Entities:

Webpage For GP/LLP:

This is the only search criteria that gives specific results according to the search parameter. For our reference, we will use the Document Number P09000037849, which is the document number for Florida Profit Corporation (the same business entity which was taken as example in “Search by Name” category). The search will take us directly to the page of the business entity in the Division of Corporations database against that respective document number.

After doing the searches on the respective parameters, we hope that you have found a business entity name as per your liking which has not been taken already.

The question of whether or not an LLC can be a nonprofit in Tennessee, as well as any other state for that matter, is a quite popular one. We come across a lot of people wanting more information on the topic, and gladly, thanks to a lot of research, we have finally provided comprehensive information on the topic.

So can an LLC be a nonprofit in Tennessee?

Yes, absolutely. Tennessee is one of the states where an LLC can be run as a nonprofit and enjoy all the perks that come with such. It is also one of the most conducive states for such and provides certain benefits that others don’t. 

Below, we’ll take a further look at the various laws guiding such a company in Tennessee. We’ll also look at how to establish a nonprofit LLC in Tennessee, and how to qualify for both federal and state tax exemption. But first here’s a quick overview of nonprofit LLCs.

What are Nonprofit LLCs?

A limited liability company that is formed and operated for charitable purposes is generally referred to as a “nonprofit LLC.” While this is the general overview of the topic, the nuances and technicalities can vary from state to state.

For instance, while, generally, nonprofit LLCs are tax-exempt on the federal level, the state’s income or property tax status may vary depending on the particular state.

One of the reasons why an LLC may choose to operate as a non-profit is so that it may operate a joint venture with other business entities. Or in some cases, this may be done so that the company can establish an unrelated business that will generate more revenue to add to the one already generated by the nonprofit via donations and grants.

These are quite complicated structures, though, and again the operation depends highly on individual state rules. Luckily, however, for those who wish to open a nonprofit LLC in Tennessee, the state happens to be one of the least tedious and most favorable in this case.

We take a deeper look at the nuances of running LLCs as a nonprofit in Tennessee in the sections below.

Nonprofit LLC in Tennessee

Most states recognize and allow limited liability companies to be run as nonprofits, and Tennessee, as specified in the code below, is one of them.

Part 8 of the Tennessee Revised Nonprofit Limited Liability Company Act states that:

A nonprofit corporation may form a domestic nonprofit LLC that meets the requirements of § 48-101-805, by filing articles of organization with the secretary of state that prominently designate it as a nonprofit LLC and that comply with the Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act, compiled in chapter 249 of this title. A foreign nonprofit LLC may obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state under the Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act and thereby become subject to and governed by this part as a nonprofit LLC, only if the foreign nonprofit LLC meets the requirements of § 48-101-805.”

[Acts 2006, ch. 620, § 5.]

The summary of the above article simply boils down to the fact that, yes an LLC can in fact be a nonprofit in Tennessee. Starting the process and successfully establishing your nonprofit LLC, however, requires comprehensive steps, which we outline below.

How to Start a Nonprofit LLC in Tennessee

To start a nonprofit LLC in Tennessee and qualify for the tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) laws, you must first file the necessary documents indicated below and then apply for a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.

Here are the steps outlined in detail:

Name Your Nonprofit 

The very first step in registering any business is to first pick a name and register with the state. You should also ensure to choose a unique name, and search on the appropriate platforms to ensure that your desired name is indeed available.

Choose a Registered Agent 

A registered agent is a person or company that you appoint to act as a point of contact between your nonprofit LLC and the state. It is the job of a registered agent to receive important state and legal documents on your behalf.

While you can officially select yourself as your own registered agent, it isn’t advisable seeing as you will ideally be tied down by other administrative tasks, and may not be able to give the position the attention it deserves.

Choose Directors for Your Nonprofit 

The next step in setting up your nonprofit LLC is to choose a set of directors for the company. The state of Tennessee requires that you appoint no less than three directors to serve on the board. Along with your three directors, you should also have a president and a secretary.

File the Articles of Incorporation 

You officially set up your nonprofit as a recognized legal entity by filing an article of corporation with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Generally, articles of incorporation must include your organization name, registered agent, address, duration, and asset distribution statements.

Prepare Bylaws and Policies 

Bylaws and conflict of interest policy are important criteria to qualify for tax-exempt status. The purpose of having specified bylaws is to guide the operation of the organization, while a conflict of interest policy is there to ensure that decisions are made with the benefits of the nonprofit in mind, and not to serve individual members.

Hold Your First Meeting of the Board of Directors 

The first meeting of the board of directors is important, not just to establish a solid vision and direction for the organization, but also because the minutes and other documents created during that meeting will come into great use in the future.

Get an EIN 

An EIN, also known as an employer identification number, is needed for a nonprofit corporation just as it is for a limited liability company. The process of obtaining an EIN is very easy and can be completed on the IRS website in no time, free of charge.

Open a Bank Account

Another important step is obtaining a business bank account for your newly established corporation. You will need a copy of your corporation charter, company bylaws, and your nonprofit’s Employer Identification Number for this.

You should also always ensure that you call in with your bank ahead of time to see if they have other requirements, seeing as the required documents and information vary from bank to bank.

Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses 

The state of Tennessee requires that your nonprofit LLC obtains a business license, depending on the kind of activities you intend to carry out.

The county where your business is located also matters, and you may need to check in with the county officers for their requirements too.

File Annual Report 

To remain in good standing with the state, a nonprofit corporation must file an annual report with the state, before the first day of the 4th month of the following fiscal year.

You are also required to pay a $20 filing fee. Annual reports can be filed easily online or by mail.

Apply For Federal Tax-Exempt Status According to 501(c)(3) laws 

IRS form 1023 is the official application for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. The form is quite long and detailed and requires a lot of information that will help the IRS decide whether or not you qualify for tax-exempt status.

There is also, however, a shorter version of the form for smaller corporations with annual gross receipts that is less than $50,000.

Apply For State Tax-Exempt Status

As mentioned earlier not all states offer tax exemption for nonprofit LLCs. Luckily, though, the state of Tennessee is one of the few that do. All you have to do is file an application with the Department of Revenue, and you automatically qualify.

Consult the Tennessee Sales and Use Tax Guide for more information.

Starting a Nonprofit in Tennessee FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Nonprofit LLC in Tennessee?

The state of Tennessee charges $100 for filing a nonprofit corporation charter. You will also have to pay a service fee of 2.35% for those who file online and pay with credit/debit cards.

As mentioned earlier, you’re also required to pay a fee of $20 for your annual report filing.

How Long Does it Take to Start a Nonprofit LLC in Tennessee?

This depends on which filing method you choose to go with. Generally, you can either choose to mail in, file your articles online, or deliver them in person. Printing and mailing takes about 5 days to complete, while online filing is much faster and can be completed in no more than 2 business days.

The fastest method, though, is filing in person. This can be completed in a matter of hours on the same day.

Do I Need a Registered Agent for a Nonprofit LLC in Tennessee?

Yes, as mentioned earlier, you do need a registered agent for your nonprofit just as you need one for a regular limited liability company. Going with a company that offers registered agent service is a great choice to consider, as it alleviates the burden of constant checking, and ensures a high level of efficiency and professionalism in handling the task that you may not get with friends.

It is not uncommon to open a limited liability company in a state where you don’t happen to reside. This, along with other tangible reasons, may necessitate the need to have your LLC bank account opened on your behalf by a third party.

Can a registered agent open a bank account for your company?

Yes, the situation varies from case to case but on the whole, it is indeed possible to have your business bank account opened on your behalf by a third party, especially by a registered agent.

To understand how this is possible, and how exactly you should go by it, keep reading the points below. We have also dedicated a few sections on other functions of registered agents and how you can use them to your company’s advantage.

Who are Registered Agents?

A registered agent is a person (or company, in some cases) that you designate to the state to perform the task of receiving important legal documents and mail on your behalf.

You can think of registered agents as the first point of contact between yourself, your company, and the state. A registered agent can either be a member of your company, or a company that happens to provide registered agent services.

So why are registered agents necessary? Registered agents are necessary because they provide a much-needed point of contact for communication and exchange of information between your limited liability company and the state.

Without a registered agent to mediate interactions, the line of communication between the two parties will not be as direct and straightforward as it is. This may lead to information getting lost or not flowing as freely as it should.

With the presence of a registered agent, however, there is less room for error, oversight, and definitely, no room for excuses when a company fails to comply with specified regulations or does not follow laid-down instructions.

So does this privilege entitle a registered agent to be able to open business accounts on behalf of an LLC? We take a look at this further below.

Can a Registered Agent Open a Bank Account?

As we’ve seen above, the major function of a registered agent is to serve as a point of contact for your business with the state. Now does this function extend to banks and banking agencies? Well, no. Not directly.

Does this mean, then, that a registered agent can not interact with a bank on your behalf? Again, no. A registered agent can, eventually, be a liaison between your company and your prospective bank. Before this can happen, though, a few criteria have to be met.

The very first step is having the necessary documents for opening a bank account ready. It is only when you fulfill the conditions for a regular business account opening, that you can then begin the process of authorizing your registered agent to fill your position at the bank.

How to Open a Bank Account With a Registered Agent

Having gotten all requirements ready, the obvious next step is to show up at the bank and get your account up and running. But since you won’t be able to do that, a registered agent would have to do.

Now how do you get a registered agent to authorize a bank account opening on your behalf? That’s where the following steps come into play:

• Unanimous Written Consent – The first thing you have to do is provide a unanimous written consent authorizing your registered agent to act on your behalf to the bank. The agent should be given copies of this resolution. The resolution also has to be unanimous in cases where the LLC is operated by a group of managers. In cases where there is a single member manager, an authorization resolution from this member should do.
• Arm With Required Documents – Along with the authorization resolution, your registered agent should also be armed with the required documents, which, as mentioned above, include the articles of organization, operating agreement, and the employer tax identification number.
• Call in With Bank For Other Requirements – Finally, thanks to the fact that there are also other requirements that vary depending on the bank, especially when it comes to third-party authorized activities, it is highly advisable that you check-in and confirm with your prospective bank before making your final move.

What are the Requirements for Opening a Business Bank Account?

For a regular business bank account, the following information and documents must be provided

• Articles of Organization – One of the very first requirements is your LLC’s articles of organization. This is the document filed with the secretary of state for the official establishment of your LLC.
• Federal EIN – Your federal employer identification number is needed for tax purposes. This is one of the most important steps you would have taken immediately upon the establishment of the LLC. If you haven’t already, though, it is easy to apply and get one on the IRS website.
• Operating Agreement – An LLC operating agreement is a detailed document highlighting the structure, organization, and overall mode of operation of an LLC. Again, this is one of the documents you get immediately after establishing a limited liability company.
• Select Account Type – Next requirement for opening a business bank account is to select the exact type of business account you require. Depending on the bank, this can be a bit overwhelming as there are usually a host of options to choose from. You may consult a financial advisor before making a final decision.
• Others – Also depending on particular banks, there may be other required documents. This is why it is usually advisable to call your bank first and get all the important information.

Why You Should Have a Business Account

The above steps may seem like a hassle to some, but we can assure you it is a hassle that is absolutely worth it. In case you’re a skeptic in need of conversion, or just reassurance, below are some of the most important reasons why you should have a business bank account.

• Separation of Finances and Liability – Opening a separate business bank account ensures that there is a much-needed degree of separation between your personal account and your business bank account. The advantages of this itself are numerous, with the most important being the protection it gives you from certain liabilities.
• Credibility – Having a separate business bank account also builds more credibility and trust to customers. There is nothing that screams “amateur” more than making use of your personal bank account for business purposes.
• Easy Accounting – Thanks to the separation of business account from personal, you’re able to keep track of your finances better without having to go through the chores of filtering our personal transactions. It also makes the job of your accountant, should you choose to hire one, a lot easier.
• Tax and Credit Benefits – Lastly, with a business bank account, filing taxes becomes easier, and not just this, you may also end up being eligible for certain cuts and returns. By running a well-maintained business account, you may also become eligible for business credits and other financial benefits.

What Else Can a Registered Agent Do?

Apart from opening bank accounts, the major functions of a registered agent include the following:

• Tax Forms – As mentioned earlier, it is the job of a registered agent to receive tax forms on your behalf from the state. A designated registered agent is required from the very start while filing your articles of organization.
• Legal Documents – A registered agent also receives other important legal documents.
• Annual Report – Some states require consistent updates on your LLC through annual reports, and it is the job of a registered agent to act as correspondence in getting these reports through to the right channels.
• Summons – Should the need arise for a Service of Process, in the form of a notice of a lawsuit, for example, it is the job of a registered agent to receive this on your behalf. For those who may not know, Service of Process is a legal term used to describe the act of informing an entity or a person of a pending lawsuit leveled against them or the company.

Registered Agent Options

Finally, there are about three general options you have when selecting a registered agent. The first is to act as your own registered agent. And while this is indeed accepted by some states, it is not advisable for a number of reasons which include availability, propensity for frequent oversights, the difficulty of getting an address in every state your LLC is located, and so on.

The next two options are going with a friend/member or going with a company that provides registered agent services.

Going with a friend/member is advisable if they happen to keep regular business hours and are going to be available at all times. Going with a company that provides this service, however, is without a doubt the best choice. It doesn’t cost a lot, and it will ensure you have efficiency, peace of mind, and flexibility among others.

If you’re thinking about forming a new company in Georgia, you must’ve thought about the company’s name, as well. Prior to filing with the Secretary of State, you must ensure that the name you want to use for your company in Georgia is available. You can find out if the name is already in use by performing a simple Georgia business entity search using the Georgia Corporations Division website.

You can search business entities in Georgia by business name (partial or full), control number, registered agent name, or officer name. With this business search, you’ll get access to all the entity’s information of records with the Secretary of State. You can search for businesses regardless of their status (active or dissolved).

In this guide, you’ll get all the information you need to perform the Georgia business entity search. We’ll cover all the steps so that you can be sure you’ve researched the desired company’s name correctly. It’s important not only that you know that the name you’d want to use is available but also that there are no other companies with similar names since this could lead potential customers to confusion.

Without further ado, let’s start with the search!

Business Search by Business Name

We’ll start with the business search by business name. Visit the Georgia Corporations Division website, and access the Business Search page.

Step 1

Enter the business name you’d want to perform a Georgia business entity search for. The name you enter can be a partial or full name of the business. You can search for the businesses whose names contain or start with the words you’ve entered, or you can look for an exact match. Select the corresponding option above the search box and click Search.

Step 2

If there are no records, a window with a message that says “No data found” will pop-up.

But, if there are relevant records, you’ll see a list of all companies in Georgia whose names match the words you entered into the search bar and meet your search criteria. You’ll see not only the name of the business but the control number, type, status, and principal office address of each business, as well as the registered/designated agent name.

Step 3

To see more information about any of the relevant businesses, simply click on the business’s name. Here you’ll see the NAICS code and sub-code, date of formation/registration date, last annual registration year, and additional information about the registered agent or officer.

You can look through the filing history or the name change history, as well. Just click on the corresponding button below.

Business Search by Control Number

The next method to perform a Georgia business entity search is by control number. Each search will be performed from the same Business Search page on the Georgia Corporations Division website.

Step 1

Click on the search bar next to the Control Number, and enter the control number to lookup. Click Search or hit Enter on your keyboard.

Step 2

Since the control number is assigned to the business entity by the Secretary of State’s office for identification and location purposes, there can only be one business with that number. Therefore, if the name you searched for belongs to a business in Georgia, there’ll be only one search result.

Business Search by Registered Agent Name

Another way to research business entities in Georgia is by registered agent’s name.

Step 1

Enter the name to search for to the corresponding search box and click Search. You can use the same search methods as before and look for the name that starts with, contains, or is the exact match to the words you’ve entered.

Step 2

Just like before, if you want to see additional information about one of the businesses, you should click on its name and it’ll lead you to the business page.

Business Search by Officer Name

The last method to perform a business search in Georgia is by officer’s name.

Step 1

Enter the name to the search box next to the Officer Name. You can enter the full name or just a part of it. Select whether you’re looking for names that start with, contain, or an exact match to the name you’ve entered. Click Search.

Step 2

Once you get the list of businesses, you’ll be able to see some key information about each of the businesses that meet your search criteria. However, if you want to see more, you should click on the business name.

Georgia Business Entity Search Recap

After reading this step-by-step guide, you’ll know not only how to perform the Georgia business entity search but how to find additional information about a particular business entity, as well. The basic search will give you the following information:

• Name of the Business
• Control Number
• Type of the Business
• Principal Office Address
•  Name of the Registered Agent
• Status

However, through businesses entity search, you can also get additional information, including:

• NAICS Code
• NAICS Sub Code (if there’s one)
• Date of Formation/Registration Date
• Last Annual Registration Year
• Dissolved Date (if the business is dissolved)
• Registered Agent Information (name, physical address, county)
• Officer Information (name, title, business address)

You can also see the filing history (and the PDFs of available documents), as well as the name history if there are any records.

If you need any help with forming a new company in Georgia, there’s no reason why you should do everything by yourself. You can hire one of the professional LLC formation services, such as ZenBusiness. They’ll do all the hard work and you’ll have more time to focus on growing your business.