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Your Georgia LLC is not a fixed document that stays the same forever. It changes as your business changes. Filing articles of amendment lets you update your official record with the Secretary of State.
In this guide, we will walk you through why articles of amendment for a Georgia LLC matter, what the process looks like, what the state requires, and what it costs.
Why Do You Need Articles of Amendment?
Your Articles of Organization created your LLC in the eyes of the state. They are Georgia's official record of your business identity. When something core to your company changes, that record becomes outdated. You must correct it through a formal amendment. This keeps your LLC compliant and legally accurate going forward.
An outdated record creates real friction. Banks, vendors, landlords, and courts all rely on your state filing to confirm your business identity. A mismatched name can delay a loan, a lease, or a signed contract. Filing your amendment closes that gap. It protects your LLC's legal standing and keeps every other document you sign consistent with the state's records.
- Confirms your LLC's legal name matches your daily branding and contracts
- Keeps Georgia's business records aligned with your actual company
- Prevents delays with banks, vendors, and government agencies
- Maintains your LLC's good standing with the Secretary of State
When Do You Actually Need to File in Georgia?
Not every business change requires a formal amendment in Georgia. The state treats a name change differently from other updates. If you want to change your LLC's name, you must file articles of amendment. This is the only method Georgia accepts for making a name change official and enforceable.
Other changes work differently under Georgia law. Updating your registered agent, principal office address, or manager details does not require this filing. You update those details through your Annual Registration, or through an Amended Annual Registration you can file at any point in the year. There is no need to wait for the next filing window.
Adding a new member is typically handled through your operating agreement rather than a state filing, though your internal records should still stay current and accurate.
- Changing your LLC's name: requires Form CD 115
- Changing your registered agent: update on your Annual Registration or an Amended Annual Registration
- Changing your business address: update on your Annual Registration or an Amended Annual Registration
- Adding or removing a member: update your operating agreement
Get Internal Approval Before You File
Georgia does not ask you to prove internal approval when you submit your amendment. That does not mean you should skip this step. Check your LLC operating agreement for its rules on approving major changes. Most agreements require a vote or written consent from members or managers before a name change moves forward.
Hold that vote, or collect written consent, before you touch the state's filing portal. Keep a copy of this approval in your own company files. It protects you if a member ever questions the change later, and it gives you a clean paper trail alongside your state filing.
- Review your operating agreement for approval requirements
- Hold a vote or collect written consent from members or managers
- Keep a signed record of that approval in your company files
Unsure which filing applies to your situation? We will review your LLC records and tell you exactly what you need before you file anything.
What Does Form CD 115 Require?
Form CD 115 is Georgia's official form for a name change amendment. Articles of amendment can technically update any provision written into your original Articles of Organization, but most Georgia LLCs list only their name there. That is why the state provides CD 115 as a ready-made template for this one change.
Use of this form is optional, since amendments may also be drafted directly under state law. Most owners still choose the form because it lays out exactly what the state expects in four clear sections.
The form also requires a signature from someone with authority to sign for your LLC. This can be a member, a manager, an organizer, a court-appointed fiduciary, or an attorney in fact. Your registered agent is not authorized to sign this filing for you. Errors in this section are a common reason filings get rejected, so review every field twice before you submit.
- Article One: your LLC's current legal name and control number
- Article Two: the date your original Articles of Organization were filed
- Article Three: your new LLC name, meeting Georgia's naming rules
- Article Four: your amendment's effective date, immediate or delayed up to ninety days
- Signature: printed legal name and signing capacity of the authorized signer
How to File Articles of Amendment Step by Step
Georgia gives you two ways to file this amendment. You can file online through the state's eCorp portal, or you can mail or hand-deliver a paper form. Most owners find the online route faster, since paper filings take longer to process and confirm.
Start by locating your LLC on the Secretary of State's website using your business name or control number. Confirm your new name meets Georgia's naming requirements before you submit anything. Fill out every field completely and accurately, then pay your fee and wait for the state to review it.
- Visit the Georgia eCorp Portal and log into your account
- Search for your LLC by business name or control number
- Complete Form CD 115 with your amendment details
- Pay the required fee online by credit or debit card
- For paper filings, download the complete form. Mail your form and payment to the Corporations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334
- Wait for state approval and your stamped confirmation copy
Cost to File Articles of Amendment in Georgia
Georgia charges a flat, predictable fee for this filing. Filing online costs twenty dollars. Filing on paper costs thirty dollars, which is the same twenty-dollar filing fee plus a ten-dollar service charge the state adds to paper filings, per the Secretary of State's official fee schedule.
Filing fees for amendments vary widely across the country, often ranging between $25 and $150 depending on the state. Georgia's flat rate keeps your budgeting simple. Online filings accept credit or debit cards. Paper filings require a check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State.
- Filing fee: $20
- Service charge: $10, on paper filings only
- Total cost: $20 online, $30 on paper
- Online payment: credit or debit card through the eCorp portal
- Paper payment: check or money order payable to the Secretary of State
Should You File It Yourself or Get Help?
You can file this amendment on your own. The form is short, and Georgia's online portal is fairly simple for a straightforward name change. Small errors, though, like a misspelled name, a missing control number, or a missing signature, can delay approval for weeks.
We handle this filing for LLC owners every day. We confirm your new name meets state requirements, prepare your form accurately, and submit it correctly the first time. This advisory support saves you time, protects your filing from rejection, and gives you one less compliance task to manage.
- We check your new name against Georgia's naming rules before filing
- We complete and review Form CD 115 for accuracy
- We track your filing until you receive confirmation
Want this handled for you from start to finish? Our team can manage your entire amendment filing so nothing gets delayed.
Update Your Georgia LLC Today
Your LLC's official record should always match reality. A name change without proper filing leaves your business exposed to confusion and delay. Take the time to file your amendment correctly, or let our team handle it for you. Either way, do not let outdated state records slow your business down.
Ready to update your LLC? Contact us today and get your amendment filed correctly the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to file articles of amendment in Georgia?
Online filings through the eCorp portal are generally processed within seven to ten business days. Paper filings, whether mailed or hand-delivered, take around fifteen business days. Expect longer waits from late December through January and at the end of each quarter. If you cannot wait, Georgia offers expedited review for an extra fee: $120 for two-business-day service, $275 for same-day service, or $1,200 for one-hour processing.
Can I change my LLC's registered agent using Form CD 115?
No. Georgia has you update your registered agent through your Annual Registration, or through an Amended Annual Registration you can file at any point in the year.
What happens if I make a mistake on my amendment form?
A mistake can delay or block your approval entirely. Review every field carefully before submission, or have our team review your form first.
Do I need a lawyer to file articles of amendment?
No, though the state itself strongly urges filers to seek legal counsel before submitting. Many owners file this straightforward name change form without one.
Can I add a new member to my LLC through this filing?
No. Adding a member is typically handled through your operating agreement rather than a formal state amendment filing.
