The Georgia Secretary of State runs a free eCorp portal where anyone can look up every business registered in the state. Before you file an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit, this is the first stop — running a name search saves you the rejection fee, the wasted logo work, and the awkward second choice. Here's exactly how to use it.

Step-by-step: using the eCorp business search

1. 01

   Open the Georgia SOS eCorp portal

   Go to sos.ga.gov and click Corporations → Business Search (or go straight to the eCorp portal). No account is needed to search — you only need to log in when you're ready to reserve a name or file a formation document.

2. 02

   Search the exact name you want

   Type the full proposed name without the entity suffix (LLC, Inc., Corp.) and hit search. The results show every entity — active, dissolved, and reserved — whose name matches or contains your search term. Read the status column carefully: only Active and Reserved names block you.

3. 03

   Search close variations

   Georgia's 'distinguishable' rule is stricter than it sounds. 'Ryals Consulting LLC' and 'Ryal's Consulting LLC' are not distinguishable. Neither are singular vs plural, punctuation swaps, or minor spelling changes. Run 3–5 variations before you commit — including with and without 'Group', 'Services', 'Solutions', etc.

4. 04

   Check for federal trademarks (separate step)

   Availability with the Georgia SOS only means the state will accept your filing. It does not protect you from a trademark lawsuit. Run a quick search on the USPTO trademark database for your industry class before printing business cards.

5. 05

   Reserve the name (optional, $25)

   If you aren't ready to file yet — logo work, waiting on a partner, still pricing packages — reserve the name for 30 days through eCorp for $25. Worth it when a competitor might grab the same name, skippable when you're filing within a week.

6. 06

   File the formation document

   Once you're satisfied the name is clear, file the Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation). Georgia's online filing fee is $100. The name is officially yours the moment the filing is accepted — usually within about 7 business days.

Georgia business naming rules (the short version)

• Must include an entity designator — LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, Inc., Corporation, Corp., or Company (Co.).
• Must be distinguishable from every active or reserved Georgia entity (case, punctuation, and singular/plural don't count as different).
• Cannot imply a purpose the entity isn't legally authorized to do (e.g. 'Bank', 'Insurance', 'University' require additional regulatory approval).
• Cannot include words that imply government affiliation (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Professional entities (law, medicine, accounting) must use PC, P.C., PLLC, or Professional Corporation and include the professional's licensing information.

Reading the search results

Every result shows a status: Active, Admin. Dissolved, Dissolved, or Reserved. Only Active and Reserved names block you from filing. An administratively dissolved entity's name becomes available after a waiting period, but the previous owner has reinstatement rights — it's usually safer to pick a different name than fight over one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the search is a trademark check. It isn't — trademark clearance is a separate USPTO search.
• Only searching the exact name. Georgia rejects names that are too similar, not just identical.
• Skipping domain and social handle checks. Legal availability doesn't mean the .com is free.
• Reserving a name and then forgetting. Reservations expire in 30 days.

FAQ

Skip the guesswork — our flat-fee Georgia business startup package includes name clearance, Articles of Organization, operating agreement, EIN, and state tax registration. If you would rather understand the whole sequence first, read how to start a business in Georgia.