Quick Answer
Use the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division Business Entity Search to run a Georgia entity search by business name, control number, registered agent name, or officer name. The search returns basic filing details for public entities, but it is not a formal name availability approval or a certified record.
How to Search Georgia Business Entity Records
The Georgia Corporations Division maintains the eCorp online portal for public business entity searches. The search tool allows you to query by various criteria and returns filing details such as business name, type, status, principal office address, and registered agent information.
Access the Business Entity Search Portal
Go to the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division Business Entity Search page at https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch. This portal serves as the official public search tool for Georgia business entities.
Define Your Search Criteria
Select the radio button that best defines your search. The available options are:
- Business Name
- Control Number
- Registered Agent Name
- Officer Name
Refine the criteria by selecting one of the top-row radio buttons to indicate the match requirement:
- Starts With
- Contains
- Exact Match
After making your selections, click the “Search” button. For name availability research, “Contains” or “Starts With” is generally more useful than “Exact Match” because it reveals similar names that may cause a rejection during filing.
Review the Search Results
The system will load a new page displaying the inquiry results. A navigation menu will appear below the table if the system returns a large number of results. Review the list of businesses using the provided columns to verify the record:
- Business Name
- Control Number
- Business Type
- Principal Office Address
- Registered Agent
- Status
Select the desired entity by clicking its “Business Name” in the first column. Note that a result with “Active/Compliance” status means the entity has a current filing on record; this does not guarantee that the name is available for new use.
View Entity Information
Locate and review the “Business Information” section to view details about the Georgia business entity and its registered agent. The section provides the following details:
- Business Name
- Business Type
- Business Purpose
- Principal Office Address
- Jurisdiction
- Principal Record Address
- Registered Agent Name
- Physical Address
- County
The page also includes officer information with names, titles, and business addresses. Additional sections such as Filing History and Name History may be expanded for further review.
If the search results return no matches for Georgia, your desired business name is likely available. If it is available, you can proceed with the formation of your company under this name.
If the search results return no matches for Georgia, your desired business name is likely available. If it is available, you can proceed with the formation of your company under this name.
How to Interpret Georgia Results
Open the entity details page to verify the Business Name, Control Number, Business Type, and Status before relying on a result. Georgia search results can include entities with similar names but different business types (LLC vs. Corporation vs. Limited Partnership). Compare the core wording of each result before entity designators such as LLC, Inc, Corp, or LP.
A result showing “Active/Compliance” status means the entity has a current filing on record with the Corporations Division. Active/Compliance status does not mean the name is available for new registration — it means the entity exists under that name in public records. Georgia requires that entity names be distinguishable from existing names on record.
Georgia Business Name and Filing Notes
The Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division filing requirements state that a business name must be distinguishable from existing entity names on record. The Articles of Organization filing fee for a domestic LLC is $110 ($100 filing fee plus $10 service charge). Georgia LLCs must also file an annual registration between January 1 and April 1 each year, with a fee of $60 ($50 plus $10 service charge).
The Georgia name reservation process costs $35 ($25 plus $10 service charge) and is effective for 30 days. If timing matters, reserve the name rather than relying only on a search result. The registered agent in Georgia must have a physical street address in the state.
Common Mistakes
- Searching only exact wording and missing punctuation, abbreviation, or entity-ending variations.
- Assuming “Active/Compliance” status means a name is available — it only confirms an existing entity exists under that name.
- Opening the result table but not reviewing the entity details page.
- Using “Exact Match” instead of “Contains” or “Starts With” when searching for name availability, which may cause missed similar-name matches.
- Treating the search result as a formal name availability approval rather than research.
- Missing the annual registration deadline (April 1 for Georgia LLCs).