Some states require that an announcement, called a publication requirement, be published in local newspapers upon creation of an LLC or corporation. Georgia requires it for corporations only; here’s how the process works.
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A publication notice is a way to formally notify the public of an entity’s formation. Before computers and mass communication, newspaper publications were the primary way to post notifications. Although it might seem outdated, states like Georgia still require certain entities to publish notifications in print through newspapers.
Let’s take a more detailed look at Georgia’s publication requirements.
Georgia’s corporation publication requirement applies to both profit and nonprofit domestic corporations. For help starting your for-profit corporation in Georgia, check out our Georgia incorporation services.
After filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State, you have one business day to send a request for publication of notice of intent to incorporate to the appropriate newspaper.
Under Georgia law, the newspaper to use is the one “which is the official legal organ of the county where the initial registered office of the corporation is to be located, or [the] newspaper of general circulation in such county and for which at least 60 percent of its subscriptions are paid.”
The notice of incorporation will contain the following information:
The Secretary of State has the exact format to use when asking the newspaper to publish your corporation’s notice.
The notice must be published once a week for two consecutive weeks, which must start within 10 days of the newspaper receiving the notice.
Georgia doesn’t have any rules about showing proof of publication.
If you fail to meet the publication requirement in Georgia, your corporation is still incorporated and there’s no effect on the filing of the Articles of Incorporation. However, your business is out of compliance with Georgia corporation law.
Starting a corporation in any state can be challenging, especially in states that have extra steps to follow. Fortunately, if you form your Georgia corporation with our ZenBusiness formation plans, you also have the option to buy our Georgia publication requirement service. That way, our professionals can handle the publication process for you and make sure it’s done right.
Failure to meet Georgia’s corporation publication requirement means your corporation isn’t in compliance with Georgia law. However, just because you fail to comply doesn’t invalidate the incorporation of your business.
You don’t need a lawyer to complete Georgia publication requirements. In fact, the Secretary of State provides the exact format to use when requesting a publication of notice of intent to incorporate.
You have one business day from the day you file the entity’s Articles of Incorporation to send the request for publication and publication fee to the appropriate newspaper.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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