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Want to search for a business entity name in Georgia? You might be wanting to look for information about an existing registered business, or you could be checking whether your desired business name is available before starting your own company. Whatever your reason, conducting a Georgia business entity search is an important first step.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to do a business name search in Georgia and take the next steps to reserve and register your business name.
Step-by-Step Process to Check Your Georgia LLC Name Availability
Before you officially register your Georgia LLC, you have the option to reserve your preferred business name. If you’ve found your business name, here’s how you can check its availability:
Step 1: Visit the Georgia Corporations Division Business Search Portal
Visit the official Georgia Corporations Division website. From the homepage, navigate to business search and select business name search.
This will take you to the Business Search page, where you can search for registered businesses in Georgia.
Step 2: Search for a Business
On the business search page, enter your desired business name in the business name field.
You can refine your search by selecting one of the following search options:
- Starts With: Finds businesses whose names begin with your search term.
- Contains: Finds businesses that include your search term anywhere in the name.
- Exact Match: Displays businesses with the exact name you entered.
If you already have specific information, you can also search using the following fields:
- Control Number
- Registered Agent Name
- Officer Name
After entering your search criteria, click search.
Step 3: Review the Search Results
A new page will display all businesses matching your search. The page shows up to 25 matching businesses per page.
The business name appears as a blue clickable link on the left side. The search results also display important information, including:
- Business Type
- Principal Office Address
- Registered Agent Name
- Business Status
Click on the business name to open its detailed record.
Step 4: View the Business Details
The Business Details page provides comprehensive information about the company, including:
- Business Name
- Business Type
- Business Purpose
- Principal Office Address
- Control Number
- Business Status
- Date of Formation
- Last Annual Registration
You can also view the company’s registered agent information, including the registered agent’s name and address.
Step 5: View the Filing History
If you want to access the company’s filing records, scroll to the bottom of the business details page and click filing history.
Here, you can access the company’s filing records, including:
- Certificate of Organization (formation document)
- Annual Registrations
How to Find the Certificate of Formation (Certificate of Organization)
To access a company’s Certificate of Organization, open the business details page and scroll to the filing history section.
In the filing history table, you will see business formation on the right side of the first row. Click it, and the company’s formation document will automatically download to your device as a TIFF (.tif) file.
Once downloaded, open the file to view the company’s Certificate of Organization and the information submitted when the business was formed.
How to Check a Company’s Name Change History
If the business name you want is unavailable, reviewing the company’s name change history is also helpful. A company may have changed its name, meaning its previous name could now be available.
The name change history section includes:
- Filing number
- Old business name
- New business name
- Filing date
- Effective date of the name change
How to Locate a Company’s Control Number
You can find the company’s control number in several places within the Georgia Corporations Division records:
- Search Results: Displayed in the second column.
- Business Details Page: Listed in the Business Information section.
- Filing History: Included with the company’s filing records.
How to Identify a Company’s Entity Type
A company’s entity type (business type) can be found in two places:
- Business Search Results: Displayed in the business type column.
- Business Details Page: Listed in the business information section after opening the company’s record.
How to Know If Your Business Name Is Available
If you search for the requested business name and a pop-up appears that no data is found, then it means that there are no registered businesses using the same name. You can treat it as the greenlight to reserve your business name.
How to Reserve Your Business Name
Once you’ve confirmed that your desired name is available, you can reserve it with the Georgia Secretary of State. There are two ways to do it:
File Online
- Go to the Secretary of State’s online services portal and create a user account.
- Select name reservation.
- Fill out your personal information.
- Provide three business names, listed in order of preference:
- 1st preference
- 2nd preference
- 3rd preference
- Pay the $25 filing fee using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
Processing time: Approximately 7 business days, unless you choose expedited processing for an additional fee.
File by Mail
- Download and complete the name reservation request form.
- Enter your three preferred business names in order of preference.
- Mail the completed form with a $35 payment ($25 filing fee + $10 paper service charge) by check or money order to:
Office of the Secretary of State
Corporations Division, Name Reservation Request
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Processing time: Approximately 15 business days, unless you request an expedited processing for an additional fee.
What to Expect After Filing
- If one of your three name choices is approved, your business name will be reserved for 30 days.
- If you need to keep the reservation beyond 30 days, you must submit a new reservation request and pay the fee again ($25 online or $35 by mail).
- If all three name choices are unavailable, you will receive a rejection notice by email, mail, or phone. You will then submit another application with three new name choices and pay the applicable filing fee again.
Conduct a Trademark Search
A Georgia entity search only confirms whether a business name is already registered with the Georgia Secretary of State. It does not determine whether the name is protected by a federal trademark.
For example, your desired business name might be available in Georgia but already registered as a federal trademark by a business in another state. Using that name could result in trademark disputes and require you to rebrand after investing in your business.
To reduce this risk, search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark database before reserving or registering your business name. Confirming that the name is available in both the Georgia business registry and the USPTO database helps you avoid potential legal and branding conflicts.
You probably thought finding a Georgian business name was going to be easy, didn’t you? As you’ve seen, it’s a complicated process. You have to manage several steps, from checking for business names and trade names to searching for federal trademarks and reserving your name.
Georgia LLC Registration makes recommendations for company names based on your sector. Our professionals reserve your preferred name, confirm availability, look for conflicts, and finish your Georgia business registration.
Are you ready to form a Georgia LLC? Schedule a consultation with Georgia LLC Registration today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if a business name is available in Georgia?
Search the name in the Georgia Business Search portal. If a pop-up displays “no data found,” it means no business is registered under that exact name, and you can proceed with reserving it.
2. How long can I reserve a business name in Georgia?
An approved business name reservation is valid for 30 days. If you need to keep the reservation longer, you must submit a new reservation request and pay the applicable filing fee again.
3. Should I search trade names before registering my business?
Yes. A business name might be available in the Georgia business registry but already in use as a trade name (DBA). Searching trade names helps you identify potential conflicts before registering your business.
4. Why should I conduct a federal trademark search?
A Georgia business entity search only checks the state registry. Your desired name could still be protected by a federal trademark. Searching the USPTO trademark database helps reduce the risk of trademark disputes and costly rebranding.
5. Can I reserve my business name online in Georgia?
Yes. You can reserve your business name online through the Georgia Secretary of State’s online services portal. All you have to do is create an account, submit up to three name choices in order of preference, and pay the required filing fee.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. For professional assistance and advice, please contact experts.
