How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Georgia Form CD 100 is the Articles of Incorporation – Profit Corporation Transmittal form that every person forming a for-profit corporation in Georgia must file with the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division to legally create the entity under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-202. Filing this form is the moment your business stops being an idea and becomes a real corporation with its own legal life, tax identity, and liability shield.

The Corporations Division processes more than 100,000 new business filings each year, and roughly 1 in 5 paper filings get rejected on the first pass for problems like a missing registered agent signature, a wrong fee, or a name that does not match a reservation. Getting CD 100 right the first time saves you weeks of delay and prevents your incorporation date from slipping past tax or licensing deadlines.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to fill out every line and box on Form CD 100 with named examples
• 🏢 What documents and details to gather before you start
• 💵 Current filing fees, channels, and processing times
• ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get CD 100 rejected
• ❓ Field-level FAQs that answer the questions filers ask most

What Form CD 100 Is and Who Must File It

Form CD 100 is the official transmittal form that accompanies your Articles of Incorporation when you create a Georgia profit corporation. The Articles are the constitutional document of the corporation, and CD 100 is the cover sheet that tells the Corporations Division who is filing, what the entity will be called, and how to contact the filer. The current revision is the version posted on the Georgia Corporations Division forms page, and you should always confirm the revision date printed in the lower corner of the form before mailing it.

Anyone forming a Georgia for-profit corporation must file CD 100, including solo founders, co-founder teams, professional corporations under O.C.G.A. § 14-7, and close corporations under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-902. Nonprofits use a different form (CD 110), and LLCs use CD 030, so do not mix them up. Foreign corporations already formed in another state file a Certificate of Authority on Form CD 236 instead.

You file CD 100 with the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division, and the statute that requires it is O.C.G.A. Title 14, Chapter 2, the Georgia Business Corporation Code. Filing creates the corporation as of the date the Division stamps the Articles, unless you ask for a delayed effective date up to 90 days out. The Articles also trigger the publication requirement under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.1, which forces you to publish a notice of intent to incorporate in a newspaper of record in the county of your registered office.

The consequence of skipping CD 100 is simple and severe. Without filed Articles, you have no corporation, which means no liability shield, no ability to issue stock, no standing to open a corporate bank account, and no protection if a customer or creditor sues. Founders who operate as a “corporation” without filing are treated as a general partnership, and every owner becomes personally liable for the business’s debts.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything below before you open the form, because the Corporations Division will reject CD 100 if any required field is blank or inconsistent with your supporting paperwork. Filers who walk in cold and try to fill the form on the fly are the ones who end up refiling.

• Proposed corporate name with required ending. The name must contain “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation, and it must be distinguishable on the records of the Georgia name search database. Without a clean name, the filing bounces.
• Optional name reservation number. If you reserved the name on Form CD 105, have the reservation number ready. Without it, the Division may flag a conflict even if you cleared the name yourself.
• Registered agent’s full legal name and Georgia street address. P.O. boxes are not allowed under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-501. Without a valid in-state agent, service of process cannot be made and the filing fails.
• Principal office mailing address. This is the corporation’s main place of business; it can be in any state. Without it, the Division has no address to mail your stamped Articles back to.
• Incorporator’s name and address. The incorporator is the person signing the Articles into existence. Without a signature, the document is not valid under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-120.
• Number of authorized shares. You must authorize at least one class of stock. Without a share count, the corporation cannot legally issue equity to founders.
• Filer/contact information. Phone and email for the person the Division contacts about defects. Without it, a fixable error becomes a hard rejection.
• Filing fee payment. $100 for paper, $110 for online (the extra $10 is the standard online convenience charge waived in some periods). Without the correct fee, the package is returned unfiled.
• Publication fee and county newspaper info. Roughly $40 paid directly to the legal-organ newspaper of your registered office’s county. Without publication, you violate O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.1, though it does not void the corporation.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official PDF lives on the Georgia Corporations Division forms page under “Profit Corporation – Articles of Incorporation Transmittal Form (CD 100).” Always download a fresh copy each time you file, because the Division updates revision dates without announcement, and an outdated form is grounds for rejection.

You can also complete the equivalent fields directly inside the eCorp online filing portal, which walks you through the same data points CD 100 collects on paper. The online path is faster and lets you upload a typed Articles of Incorporation document as an attachment, while the paper path requires you to mail or hand-deliver the signed originals to 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.

If you are working with an attorney or registered-agent service, they typically file through eCorp under their own filer account, but the underlying CD 100 fields are identical. Pro se filers (filing without a lawyer) should print CD 100 in black ink on white 8.5 × 11 paper, because the Division scans the form and colored or oversized paper jams the imaging system.

A common misconception is that CD 100 is the Articles of Incorporation. It is not. CD 100 is the transmittal cover sheet; the Articles themselves are a separate document you draft and attach. Filers who staple only CD 100 with no Articles get an immediate rejection letter.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form CD 100 Line by Line

Work through CD 100 in the order the boxes appear on the form, because the Division’s scanner reads top-to-bottom and a blank field early on can cause the system to skip later entries. The walkthrough below uses the exact box labels printed on the current revision.

Box 1: Entity Name

Box 1 asks for the exact corporate name you want to register. Type or print the name in all capital letters with the required ending word (“CORPORATION,” “INCORPORATED,” “COMPANY,” “LIMITED,” or a standard abbreviation like “CORP.” or “INC.”) spelled exactly the way you want it on every future filing.

For example, Maria Lopez writes “LOPEZ COASTAL BUILDERS, INC.” in Box 1 because she wants the comma and the “INC.” ending preserved on her bank documents. Do not use unapproved characters like emojis, fractions, or trademark symbols, because the database strips them and your stamped Articles will come back with a name you do not recognize.

A common edge case is using a name that is too close to an existing Georgia entity. The standard is “distinguishable on the records,” which is stricter than a trademark search; “Lopez Builders Inc.” and “Lopez Builder Inc.” are not distinguishable. The fix is to run the Georgia business name search before filing and, if in doubt, file a CD 105 name reservation first.

The most common mistake on Box 1 is forgetting the entity ending. Without “Inc.,” “Corp.,” “Company,” or “Limited,” the filing is rejected under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-401, and you lose your filing date. A frequent misconception is that adding “LLC” works for a corporation; it does not, because “LLC” is reserved for limited liability companies under O.C.G.A. § 14-11-207.

Box 2: Name Reservation Number (If Applicable)

Box 2 asks for the 6-digit reservation number issued when you reserved the name through the eCorp portal. Type the number exactly as it appears on your reservation confirmation, with no spaces and no leading letters.

For example, Carlos Nguyen writes “734821” in Box 2 because that is the reservation number eCorp assigned when he locked the name 14 days before filing. If you never reserved the name, leave Box 2 blank rather than writing “N/A,” because the scanner reads “N/A” as an attempted entry and may flag the field.

The edge case worth flagging is an expired reservation. Reservations last 30 days and are non-renewable, so a number from 45 days ago will not match anything in the system and the filing bounces. If your reservation lapsed, do not write the dead number; either re-reserve or proceed without a reservation.

The most common mistake here is transposing digits, which causes the system to either find no match (rejection) or match a different filer’s reservation (bigger rejection). The misconception is that reserving the name is required; it is not, but it is the only way to lock the name while you finalize the Articles.

Box 3: Registered Agent’s Name

Box 3 asks for the full legal name of the registered agent, who is the person or company authorized to receive lawsuits and official notices for the corporation. Write a human’s full name (first, middle, last) or the exact registered name of a commercial registered agent service.

For example, Janet Pierce writes “JANET ELAINE PIERCE” in Box 3 because she is acting as her own registered agent during the startup phase. If you hire a service like a national registered-agent company, write the company’s exact registered Georgia name as it appears in the eCorp database, not a trade name.

The nuance is that the registered agent must consent to the appointment under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-501. The consent is implied by signature elsewhere on the Articles or by a separate written consent kept in your records, but the Division can ask for proof if challenged. A frequent edge case is naming a friend who later moves out of state; if the agent loses Georgia residency, you must file CD 110 (Statement of Change) within 30 days.

The most common mistake is naming a person who never agreed to serve, which exposes you to a statement-of-change filing and possibly administrative dissolution if service of process fails. The misconception is that the registered agent must be an owner or officer; the agent can be anyone over 18 with a Georgia street address.

Box 4: Registered Agent’s Georgia Street Address

Box 4 asks for the physical Georgia street address of the registered agent, including street number, street name, suite/apartment, city, county, and ZIP code. The address must be a place where the agent can be physically served during business hours.

For example, Janet Pierce writes “1450 PEACHTREE ST NE, SUITE 200, ATLANTA, FULTON COUNTY, GA 30309” in Box 4 because that is the actual office where she works five days a week. Note that Georgia requires the county as well as the city, which is a quirk many out-of-state filers miss.

A critical edge case is the P.O. Box trap. P.O. boxes, mail-forwarding addresses, and virtual office “suites” that are really mail rooms are all prohibited under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-501(a)(2). The fix is either a real street address you control or a commercial registered-agent service whose Georgia office is registered with the Division.

The most common mistake on Box 4 is omitting the county, which is a hard rejection. The misconception is that the registered agent’s address must match the principal office address; the two can be totally different and frequently are.

Box 5: Principal Office Mailing Address

Box 5 asks for the principal office mailing address of the corporation, which is the headquarters where corporate records are kept. Unlike Box 4, this address can be in any state or country and can be a P.O. Box.

For example, Marcus Chen writes “PO BOX 884, SAVANNAH, GA 31402” in Box 5 because his startup operates from a co-working space but receives mail at a post office box. The Division uses this address to mail your stamped Articles, the annual registration reminder, and any defect notices, so make sure mail actually reaches you here.

The nuance is that the principal office address becomes part of the public record and shows up in every Google search of your business. If privacy matters, use a commercial mail-receiving address or your attorney’s office, but never use a fake address, because misstatements on a filed document can constitute a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-20.

The most common mistake is using an old address you are about to leave; you will miss the annual registration notice and risk administrative dissolution under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-1421. The misconception is that this address has to be in Georgia; it does not, as long as the registered agent address (Box 4) is in Georgia.

Box 6: Number of Authorized Shares

Box 6 asks for the total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. You must authorize at least one share, but most founders authorize a round number that gives them room to grow without amending the Articles later.

For example, Aisha Brooks writes “10,000,000” in Box 6 because her tech startup plans to raise venture capital and wants enough authorized shares to issue founder stock, set aside an option pool, and accommodate future investors. A solo founder running a service business often authorizes just 1,000 shares, which is plenty for a single-shareholder operation.

The edge case is multiple share classes. If you want both common and preferred stock, you cannot capture that on Box 6 alone; you must include the share-class details inside the attached Articles document under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-202(a)(2). Box 6 then carries the total authorized across all classes.

The most common mistake is authorizing too few shares (say, 100), then needing to issue stock to a new investor and being forced to amend the Articles for a fee. The misconception is that “authorized” equals “issued”; you only issue shares to actual owners, and the rest sit on the shelf as authorized-but-unissued.

Box 7: Incorporator Information

Box 7 asks for the name and mailing address of each incorporator, the person or persons who sign the Articles into existence. There must be at least one incorporator, and a corporation can act as the incorporator of another corporation under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.

For example, Carlos Nguyen writes “CARLOS A. NGUYEN, 220 OAK STREET, MARIETTA, GA 30060” in Box 7 because he is forming the company as a solo founder. If two co-founders are incorporating together, list both names and addresses, separated clearly so the scanner reads them as distinct entries.

The nuance is that the incorporator does not have to be a shareholder, director, or officer; an attorney or paralegal often serves as incorporator and resigns the moment the Articles are filed. The edge case is naming a minor: incorporators must be 18 or older under Georgia contract law, and a minor’s signature voids the Articles.

The most common mistake is signing as “incorporator” but listing the corporation’s name in Box 7 instead of the human being’s name. The misconception is that the incorporator becomes the owner; the incorporator’s only job is to sign the formation document, and ownership flows from share issuance, not from incorporator status.

Box 8: Optional Provisions

Box 8 asks whether the Articles include any optional provisions beyond the statutory minimum, such as director liability limitations, indemnification clauses, or close-corporation status under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-902. Check the box “yes” or “no” and make sure the attached Articles match.

For example, Maria Lopez checks “YES” in Box 8 because her Articles include a director-exculpation clause under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-202(b)(4) that protects board members from personal liability for ordinary negligence. A solo founder with a bare-bones one-page Articles document usually checks “NO.”

The edge case is close-corporation election. If you want the streamlined governance rules of a Georgia close corporation (no board required, shareholder-run management), you must say so explicitly in the Articles and check Box 8 as “yes.” Filing without the election locks you into standard corporate governance.

The most common mistake is checking “yes” but forgetting to actually include the optional language in the attached Articles, which creates a contradiction the Division flags. The misconception is that optional provisions can be added later for free; amendments cost $20 plus drafting time, so build them in now.

Box 9: Effective Date

Box 9 asks whether you want the incorporation effective immediately upon filing or on a future date up to 90 days out. Most filers leave this blank to default to the filing date, but tax planning sometimes calls for a delayed start.

For example, Aisha Brooks writes “01/01/2027” in Box 9 because she is filing in late December 2026 and wants the corporation’s first tax year to start clean on January 1. A founder eager to start operating today simply leaves Box 9 blank, and the Division uses the date the Articles are stamped received.

The nuance is the 90-day cap; you cannot delay effectiveness more than 90 days under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-123. If you put a date 120 days out, the Division either rejects the filing or uses the filing date, depending on the examiner.

The most common mistake is using a past date, which the Division cannot honor; the corporation cannot exist before the Articles are filed. The misconception is that a delayed effective date pauses your annual registration deadline; it does not, because the 90-day clock for the initial annual registration runs from the effective date you chose.

Box 10: Filer/Contact Information

Box 10 asks for the name, address, phone number, and email of the person the Division should contact about the filing. This is the person who receives defect notices, status updates, and the stamped copy if no other delivery address is given.

For example, Carlos Nguyen writes “CARLOS NGUYEN, 220 OAK STREET, MARIETTA, GA 30060, (404) 555-0102, carlos@lopezbuilders.com” in Box 10 because he wants direct notice of any problem. Attorneys and registered-agent services usually list themselves here so client mail does not get lost.

The nuance is that this contact information is public. Anyone can pull the filing and see the email address, so use a business email rather than a personal one. The edge case is a typo in the email; the Division does not call you to correct it, and your defect notice silently bounces.

The most common mistake is leaving Box 10 blank, which means the Division has no one to call when (not if) something needs clarification. The misconception is that the registered agent will receive these notices; the registered agent receives lawsuits, but routine filing communication goes to the Box 10 contact.

Signature Block: Incorporator’s Signature

The signature block requires the incorporator’s original signature, printed name, and date at the bottom of CD 100 (and on the attached Articles). The signature attests under penalty of perjury that the information is true.

For example, Janet Pierce signs “Janet E. Pierce” in cursive, prints “JANET ELAINE PIERCE” below it, and dates it “11/14/2026” because she is filing on that day. Online filers sign electronically through eCorp, which counts as a valid signature under O.C.G.A. § 10-12-7.

The nuance is that a stamped or photocopied signature is not accepted on paper filings; the Division wants original ink. The edge case is a corporate incorporator: an officer of that corporation signs in the corporation’s name and notes their title.

The most common mistake is missing the date next to the signature, which makes the document defective under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-120(c). The misconception is that all incorporators must sign in the same color of ink or on the same day; they do not, but every named incorporator must sign somewhere.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Solo Founder of a Construction Corporation

Maria is incorporating a small residential construction business in Atlanta and acting as her own registered agent.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Box 1 – Entity Name	LOPEZ COASTAL BUILDERS, INC.
Box 2 – Reservation Number	734821
Box 3 – Registered Agent	MARIA E. LOPEZ
Box 4 – Agent Address	1450 PEACHTREE ST NE, SUITE 200, ATLANTA, FULTON COUNTY, GA 30309
Box 5 – Principal Office	1450 PEACHTREE ST NE, SUITE 200, ATLANTA, GA 30309
Box 6 – Authorized Shares	1,000
Box 7 – Incorporator	MARIA E. LOPEZ, 1450 PEACHTREE ST NE, ATLANTA, GA 30309
Box 8 – Optional Provisions	YES (director exculpation clause)
Box 10 – Filer Contact	MARIA LOPEZ, (404) 555-0144, maria@lopezcoastal.com
Signature	/s/ Maria E. Lopez, 11/14/2026

Scenario 2: Carlos Nguyen and a Co-Founder Forming a Tech Startup

Carlos and his co-founder Priya are forming a Delaware-bound startup but incorporating in Georgia first because both founders live in Marietta.

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Box 1 – Entity Name	NORTHWAVE LABS, INC.
Box 2 – Reservation Number	(left blank, no reservation filed)
Box 3 – Registered Agent	NATIONAL REGISTERED AGENTS, INC. OF GEORGIA
Box 4 – Agent Address	289 S CULVER ST, LAWRENCEVILLE, GWINNETT COUNTY, GA 30046
Box 5 – Principal Office	220 OAK ST, MARIETTA, GA 30060
Box 6 – Authorized Shares	10,000,000
Box 7 – Incorporator	CARLOS A. NGUYEN, 220 OAK ST, MARIETTA, GA 30060
Box 8 – Optional Provisions	YES (two share classes, indemnification, exculpation)
Box 9 – Effective Date	01/01/2027
Signature	/s/ Carlos A. Nguyen, 12/22/2026

Scenario 3: Dr. Aisha Brooks Forming a Professional Corporation

Aisha is a licensed physician forming a Georgia professional corporation under O.C.G.A. § 14-7 to operate her solo medical practice.

Form Section	What Aisha Enters
Box 1 – Entity Name	AISHA BROOKS, M.D., P.C.
Box 2 – Reservation Number	812445
Box 3 – Registered Agent	AISHA M. BROOKS
Box 4 – Agent Address	77 BAY ST, SAVANNAH, CHATHAM COUNTY, GA 31401
Box 5 – Principal Office	77 BAY ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31401
Box 6 – Authorized Shares	5,000
Box 7 – Incorporator	AISHA M. BROOKS, 77 BAY ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31401
Box 8 – Optional Provisions	YES (professional corporation election, only licensed physicians may own shares)
Box 10 – Filer Contact	AISHA BROOKS, (912) 555-0177, dr.brooks@brookesmd.com
Signature	/s/ Aisha M. Brooks, 11/14/2026

How to File the Completed Form

You can file CD 100 through three channels, and each has its own fee, processing time, and proof-of-filing. Pick the channel that matches your urgency and comfort with online portals.

Online via eCorp. File at the Georgia eCorp portal by creating a free filer account, selecting “File New Entity,” and uploading your typed Articles of Incorporation as a PDF. The fee is $100 plus a $10 online service charge, paid by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or ACH debit. Standard processing is 5 to 7 business days, two-day expedited is an extra $100, same-day is $250, and one-hour is $1,000. Your proof of filing is the time-stamped Certificate of Incorporation that arrives by email as a PDF.

By mail. Mail the signed CD 100, the signed Articles of Incorporation, and a check for $110 (made payable to “Secretary of State”) to Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334. Standard processing is 12 to 15 business days from receipt. Keep the certified-mail green card and a photocopy of the entire packet as your proof until the stamped Articles return by mail.

In person. Hand-deliver the same package to the same address Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The fee is still $110, payable by check, money order, or credit card at the counter. You can request walk-through expedited service for an extra $100, which gets the filing processed before you leave the building. Your proof is the date-stamped receipt the clerk hands back.

What Happens After You File

Once the Division accepts CD 100, you receive a stamped Certificate of Incorporation that establishes your effective date. Save the PDF in at least two places, because lenders, the IRS, and the Georgia Department of Revenue will all ask for it.

Within the next 90 days, you must file your initial annual registration through eCorp under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-1622, which costs $50 and lists your officers and directors. Miss the 90-day window and the corporation enters “noncompliant” status; miss it for two years and the Division administratively dissolves the corporation under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-1421.

You also have to publish a notice of intent to incorporate in the legal-organ newspaper of the county where your registered office sits, once a week for two consecutive weeks, with the first publication within one business day of filing. The newspaper charges roughly $40 and sends an affidavit of publication you keep with your corporate records. Apply for a federal EIN through the IRS EIN online application, then register for state taxes through the Georgia Tax Center so you can collect sales tax, withhold payroll, and pay corporate income tax.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Forgetting the entity ending in Box 1. The Division rejects the filing under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-401, and you lose your filing date.
• Using a P.O. box in Box 4. The registered agent address must be a Georgia street address, and a P.O. box triggers an immediate bounce.
• Omitting the county in Box 4. Georgia requires the county on every registered office address, and skipping it is a hard rejection.
• Naming a registered agent who never consented. The agent can resign on the spot, leaving the corporation without service of process and exposed to administrative dissolution.
• Authorizing too few shares in Box 6. Issuing stock to new investors later forces a $20 amendment and possibly delays a funding round.
• Forgetting the incorporator signature or date. An unsigned or undated Articles document is void under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-120(c).
• Submitting the wrong fee. $110 online or by mail; anything less is returned unfiled, and the Division will not “spot you” the difference.
• Picking a name that is not distinguishable. A near-match to an existing entity is rejected, and you start over.
• Listing a past effective date in Box 9. The corporation cannot exist retroactively, and the Division either rejects the form or uses the filing date.
• Skipping the publication requirement. While it does not void the corporation, it violates O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.1 and can complicate later litigation.
• Filing CD 100 without the attached Articles of Incorporation. CD 100 alone is just a cover sheet; without the Articles, the Division has nothing to file.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do run the Georgia name search before filing, because confirming distinguishability up front prevents the most common rejection.
• Do reserve the name on Form CD 105 if you need more than a few days to finalize Articles, because reservations lock the name for 30 days.
• Do use a real Georgia street address for the registered agent, because P.O. boxes void the appointment.
• Do authorize generous shares (10,000 or more), because amending later costs money and time.
• Do list a working email in Box 10, because that is how the Division contacts you about defects.
• Do calendar your initial annual registration deadline (90 days from effective date), because missing it triggers noncompliant status.

Don’ts

• Don’t use a fake or borrowed address, because misstatements on a filed document can be a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-20.
• Don’t paste an emoji or trademark symbol into the entity name, because the database strips them and your stamped Articles will not match the name you typed.
• Don’t backdate the effective date in Box 9, because Georgia does not honor retroactive incorporation.
• Don’t forget to publish the notice of intent in the county legal organ, because the publication requirement is statutory.
• Don’t submit a stapled-together packet with the wrong fee, because the Division returns the entire envelope unfiled.
• Don’t assume CD 100 alone creates the corporation, because the attached Articles are the operative legal document.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of Filing CD 100 Yourself

• You save $300 to $1,500 in attorney or formation-service fees, which matters when every startup dollar counts.
• You learn your own corporate paperwork, which makes future filings (annual registration, amendments) easier.
• You control the timing and do not wait on a third party, because eCorp accepts filings 24/7.
• You keep sensitive information (founder roles, share counts) off a service provider’s intake form.
• You build a direct relationship with the Corporations Division, which speeds up future correspondence.

Cons of Filing CD 100 Yourself

• You bear all the risk of a rejection, which can delay your incorporation date past tax or licensing deadlines.
• You may miss optional provisions (director exculpation, close-corporation status) that an attorney would build in.
• You handle the publication requirement alone, which is easy to forget.
• You are your own registered agent unless you pay a service, which puts your home address on the public record.
• You miss the secondary filings (EIN, Georgia Tax Center, beneficial-ownership reporting) that a full-service formation package bundles in.

Filing CD 100 Online vs. By Mail

Factor	Online via eCorp
Fee	$110 ($100 plus $10 service charge)
Standard processing	5 to 7 business days
Expedited options	2-day ($100), same-day ($250), 1-hour ($1,000)
Proof of filing	Emailed PDF Certificate of Incorporation
Signature	Electronic (O.C.G.A. § 10-12-7)
Best for	Most filers, especially first-timers and remote founders

Factor	By Mail
Fee	$110 by check or money order
Standard processing	12 to 15 business days
Expedited options	Available only with in-person delivery
Proof of filing	Mailed stamped Articles plus your certified-mail receipt
Signature	Original ink
Best for	Filers who must include unusual attachments or who prefer paper records

FAQs

Is Form CD 100 the same as the Articles of Incorporation?

No. CD 100 is the transmittal cover sheet that accompanies your separately drafted Articles of Incorporation. You must submit both documents together, or the Division returns the package unfiled.

Do I have to use a Georgia resident as my registered agent?

No. The agent does not need to be a Georgia resident, but the agent must have a physical Georgia street address where service of process can be delivered during business hours under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-501.

Can I write a P.O. Box in Box 4 for the registered agent?

No. Georgia law strictly prohibits P.O. boxes for the registered office address. Use a real street address or a commercial registered-agent service with a Georgia office.

Do I need the county in Box 4 if I list the city?

Yes. The county is a separate required field in Georgia, and omitting it is one of the most common reasons CD 100 gets rejected, even when every other box is correct.

Can I leave Box 2 (reservation number) blank?

Yes. Name reservation is optional, so leave Box 2 blank if you never filed CD 105. Do not write “N/A,” because the scanner can misread it as an attempted entry.

How many shares should I authorize in Box 6?

Yes, you can authorize as few as one share, but most attorneys recommend 1,000 to 10,000,000 depending on whether you plan to raise outside capital, because amendments later cost extra fees.

Can I list a future effective date in Box 9?

Yes. You can delay the effective date up to 90 days under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-123, which is useful for clean fiscal-year starts. Past dates are not allowed.

Does my principal office in Box 5 have to be in Georgia?

No. The principal office can be anywhere in the world, as long as the registered agent in Box 4 has a Georgia street address. Many out-of-state founders incorporate in Georgia this way.

Do I really have to publish a newspaper notice?

Yes. O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.1 requires publication in the legal organ of your registered office’s county for two consecutive weeks. Skipping it does not void the corporation but is a statutory violation.

Can the same person be the incorporator, registered agent, and sole shareholder?

Yes. A single person can fill all three roles in a solo-founder corporation, which is the most common Georgia profit-corp structure and is fully allowed under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-201.

What happens if I miss the 90-day initial annual registration?

No corporation should miss it, because the entity falls into noncompliant status under O.C.G.A. § 14-2-1622, and after two years of nonfiling, the Division administratively dissolves the corporation.

How fast can I get my Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, you can have it the same day with $250 expedited service through eCorp, or within one hour for $1,000. Standard online processing runs 5 to 7 business days.

Can I file CD 100 in person at the Atlanta office?

Yes. Walk-in filing is accepted at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and walk-through expedited service is available at the counter.