Georgia Form CD 510 is the Certificate of Existence Request form filed with the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division to obtain an official certificate proving a business entity is validly registered, in good standing, and authorized to do business in Georgia. Every Georgia corporation, LLC, limited partnership, nonprofit, or registered foreign entity that needs proof of good standing for a loan, contract, merger, out-of-state registration, or licensing application uses this single-page form to make the request.
The certificate matters because banks, courts, foreign states, and counterparties refuse to move forward without it, and a rejected or delayed CD 510 can stall a closing, kill a financing, or block a foreign qualification. According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s annual reports, Georgia has more than 1.7 million active business entities on file, and Certificate of Existence requests are among the top three most-filed documents in the Corporations Division each year.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What every line on Form CD 510 means and how to fill each one without triggering a rejection
- 🧾 Three full filled-out examples covering an LLC, a corporation, and a nonprofit
- 💳 Every fee, expedite tier, and accepted payment method for mail, walk-in, and online filing through Georgia eCorp
- ⚠️ The 10 most common CD 510 mistakes that cause rejection or delay, plus the exact consequence of each
- ❓ Twelve plain-English FAQs covering field-level questions filers ask most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form CD 510 is a written request submitted to the Georgia Secretary of State asking the state to issue a Certificate of Existence for a domestic entity or a Certificate of Authorization for a foreign entity registered in Georgia. The certificate is the state’s official statement, signed by the Secretary of State, confirming that the named entity is on the state’s records, has paid all required fees, has filed all required annual registrations, and has not been administratively dissolved or revoked. It is the Georgia equivalent of what other states call a “Certificate of Good Standing” or a “Certificate of Status.”
The form is required of any person or entity that wants the paper certificate rather than the free, unsigned status printout available from the Georgia Business Search portal. Domestic for-profit corporations rely on the authority in O.C.G.A. § 14-2-128, domestic LLCs rely on O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209, nonprofit corporations rely on O.C.G.A. § 14-3-128, and limited partnerships rely on O.C.G.A. § 14-9-208.
Banks, lenders, courts, foreign Secretaries of State, franchisors, and acquirers all routinely demand a wet-stamped Certificate of Existence dated within 30, 60, or 90 days of the transaction. Anyone closing on a commercial loan, registering a Georgia LLC to do business in another state, applying for a professional license, or completing a merger must file CD 510 to obtain that certificate. Registered agents, attorneys, paralegals, corporate secretaries, and pro se owners all use the same form.
The form does not change the entity’s status, file new information, or restore a revoked entity. It only requests a certificate based on the records the Corporations Division already has on file. If the entity is delinquent or revoked, the request will be denied until the entity cures the defect through a separate annual registration filing or reinstatement.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every detail below before opening Form CD 510 because missing information is the leading cause of rejection. The Corporations Division will not chase you for corrections, so a single blank field can send the request back unprocessed and force you to start over.
- Exact legal entity name as it appears on the Secretary of State record. This must match character-for-character, including punctuation and entity designators like “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “L.P.” A mismatch causes the search to fail and the request to be returned.
- Georgia control number. This is the seven-digit business identification number assigned at formation, found on the Georgia Business Search. Without it, the clerk has to search by name, which slows processing.
- Entity type. You must know whether the entity is a profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, LLC, LP, LLLP, professional corporation, or foreign equivalent because the fee and certificate language vary.
- Date of formation or qualification in Georgia. Helpful for verifying the correct entity when multiple companies share similar names.
- Status of annual registration. Confirm the entity is current on its annual registration through eCorp before paying for a certificate that will be denied.
- Requester contact information. Full name, mailing address, daytime phone, and a working email so the office can deliver the certificate or flag a problem.
- Delivery preference. Decide whether you need a mailed paper certificate, an emailed PDF, or in-person pickup at the 2 MLK Jr. Drive office in Atlanta.
- Payment method and amount. Have a credit card, business check, or money order ready, calculated for the base fee plus any expedite tier you select.
- Reason or recipient (optional). Some filers note the bank, foreign state, or court the certificate is for; while not required, it helps you track multiple requests.
- Authorized signer. Identify who will sign the request, even though notarization is not required.
If any item above is missing, the Corporations Division may either reject the form outright or hold it pending clarification, both of which add days you may not have before a closing.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Form CD 510 is published as a free PDF on the Corporations Division forms page. You can download the official CD 510 PDF directly from the Georgia Secretary of State’s website. Always pull the most current revision because older versions may list outdated fees, addresses, or expedite tiers, and the office will reject a stale form even if every field is filled in correctly.
Once downloaded, you can either print it and complete it by hand in black ink, type into the fillable fields and print, or skip the form entirely and submit the request through the Georgia eCorp online portal, which collects the same information through a guided interface. The online portal is the fastest channel because it processes payment, generates the certificate, and emails the PDF without manual handling.
Walk-in filers can pick up a paper copy at the Corporations Division office at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313, West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334. The office accepts in-person submissions Monday through Friday during posted hours. Mail filers should send the completed form and payment to the same address, marked to the attention of the Corporations Division.
Confirm the revision date printed in the lower corner of the form before you fill it out. As of the most recent posting on the Corporations Division forms page, the controlling revision is the version currently labeled by the Secretary of State; if your downloaded copy shows an older date, replace it before filing.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form CD 510 Line by Line
Form CD 510 fits on a single page, but every field carries weight. Follow each subsection below in the order the lines appear on the form, and use the italicized sample entries to see exactly what your finished form should look like.
Field 1: Entity Name
This field asks for the full legal name of the business as it is recorded with the Secretary of State.
To answer it, type or print the name in capital letters or mixed case exactly as filed, including the entity designator such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “Inc.,” “Corp.,” “L.P.,” or “Nonprofit Corp.” Do not abbreviate, translate, or reorder words.
For example, PEACHTREE LOGISTICS, LLC is the correct entry for a domestic LLC formed under that name; writing Peachtree Logistics without the “LLC” causes a mismatch.
A common nuance is a recent name change. If the entity amended its name last week and the change is not yet reflected in the public record, the certificate will issue under the older name until the amendment is processed.
The most common mistake on this field is dropping the comma before “LLC” or using “Co.” instead of “Inc.” The direct consequence is that the clerk’s search returns no exact match and the form is returned unprocessed, costing two to five business days.
A widespread misconception is that close enough is good enough. The Corporations Division uses an exact-match algorithm, and PEACHTREE LOGISTICS LLC and PEACHTREE LOGISTICS, LLC are treated as different strings.
Field 2: Control Number
This field asks for the seven-digit Georgia business identification number assigned when the entity first registered.
To answer it, look up the number on the Georgia Business Search and enter all seven digits with no dashes or spaces.
For example, 1234567 is a properly formatted control number for a Georgia LLC.
A common nuance is foreign entities. Foreign corporations and LLCs registered to do business in Georgia also receive a Georgia control number at qualification, distinct from their home-state file number, and you must use the Georgia number here.
The most common mistake is leaving this field blank because the filer thinks the name is enough. The consequence is slower processing while staff search by name, which can add a full business day.
A misconception is that the EIN, the home-state ID, or the registered agent’s number works here. Only the Georgia control number is accepted.
Field 3: Entity Type
This field asks you to identify the form of business so the office issues the correct certificate language.
To answer it, check the box or write the type that matches your formation document, such as Profit Corporation, Nonprofit Corporation, LLC, LP, LLLP, Professional Corporation, or Foreign equivalent.
For example, Domestic Limited Liability Company is the correct entry for a Georgia LLC formed under O.C.G.A. § 14-11-204.
A nuance arises when an entity has converted, such as a corporation that converted to an LLC. Use the current entity type after conversion, not the historical one.
The common mistake is checking “Profit Corporation” for a Professional Corporation (PC), which receives a different certificate citing the professional licensing statute. The consequence is a certificate that does not satisfy the licensing board.
A misconception is that nonprofits and for-profits get the same certificate. Nonprofits receive a Certificate of Existence under O.C.G.A. § 14-3-128 with different recital language.
Field 4: Type of Certificate Requested
This field asks whether you want a Certificate of Existence (domestic) or Certificate of Authorization (foreign).
To answer it, mark Certificate of Existence if the entity was formed in Georgia, or Certificate of Authorization if the entity was formed in another state and registered to do business in Georgia.
For example, Certificate of Authorization is what a Delaware corporation with a Georgia foreign registration must check.
A nuance is that some recipients will accept either, but most banks and courts want the precise term that matches the entity’s domicile.
The most common mistake is a foreign entity checking “Certificate of Existence.” The consequence is a certificate that does not exist in Georgia’s records for that entity, and the request is returned.
A misconception is that “Certificate of Good Standing” is a separate Georgia product. Georgia does not issue a document by that exact title; the Certificate of Existence or Authorization serves that purpose.
Field 5: Number of Certificates Requested
This field asks how many original signed certificates you need.
To answer it, write a whole number such as 1, 2, or 3, and remember that each additional copy beyond the first incurs an extra fee.
For example, 2 is correct when a closing requires one for the lender and one for the title company.
A nuance is that PDFs delivered by email count as one certificate per request unless you specifically request multiple.
The mistake of underordering forces a second filing, doubling the fee and the wait. The consequence is real money and lost days before a deadline.
A misconception is that photocopies of a single signed certificate satisfy a counterparty. Lenders and foreign Secretaries of State typically require an original raised seal or a state-emailed PDF with the office’s authentication code.
Field 6: Delivery Method
This field asks how you want the certificate sent.
To answer it, select Email (PDF), U.S. Mail, In-Person Pickup, or Expedited Courier, and provide the relevant address or email.
For example, Email PDF to maria.lopez@peachtreelog.com is a typical online-portal selection.
A nuance is that emailed PDFs from eCorp carry an authentication code that allows the recipient to verify the certificate online, which most banks now accept in lieu of a paper original.
The mistake of selecting U.S. Mail without enabling expedited service can add five to seven mail days. The consequence is a certificate that arrives after the closing.
A misconception is that fax delivery is available. The Corporations Division does not fax certificates.
Field 7: Expedited Service Selection
This field asks whether you want standard processing or one of Georgia’s expedite tiers.
To answer it, choose Standard (no extra fee for online; varies for paper), Two-Business-Day, Same-Day, or One-Hour, with fees stacking on top of the base certificate fee per the Corporations Division fee schedule.
For example, Same-Day is the right choice when a closing is set for the next morning and the form is filed by the office’s posted same-day cutoff.
A nuance is that same-day and one-hour service require submission before posted cutoffs, typically noon for same-day and 9:00 a.m. for one-hour.
The mistake of paying for one-hour service after the cutoff results in the request being treated as the next tier down, but the higher fee may not refund automatically.
A misconception is that the expedite fee guarantees mail delivery speed. It only speeds the office’s internal processing; mail transit time is separate.
Field 8: Requester Name and Contact Information
This field asks for the name, address, phone, and email of the person submitting the request.
To answer it, enter the full name of the individual filer, a complete street or P.O. Box address, a daytime phone, and a monitored email.
For example, Maria Lopez, 145 Peachtree St NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 555-0182, maria.lopez@peachtreelog.com is a complete entry.
A nuance is that the requester does not have to be an officer or member of the entity; an attorney, paralegal, or registered agent can request on behalf of the entity.
The mistake of providing only a cell number without an email blocks the office from sending PDF certificates and may delay rejection notices. The consequence is missed deadlines.
A misconception is that the requester’s address is where the certificate goes. Delivery follows Field 6, not Field 8.
Field 9: Signature and Date
This field asks the requester to sign and date the form to authorize the request.
To answer it, sign in blue or black ink and date the form using the MM/DD/YYYY format such as 05/25/2026.
For example, Maria Lopez / 05/25/2026 is a complete signature line.
A nuance is that notarization is not required for CD 510, unlike many other Corporations Division filings.
The mistake of leaving the signature blank causes automatic rejection because the office treats unsigned requests as incomplete. The consequence is full restart.
A misconception is that an electronic signature is forbidden. The eCorp online portal accepts a typed-name e-signature, which the office treats as legally binding.
Field 10: Payment Information
This field asks for the payment method and authorization for the certificate fee.
To answer it, attach a check or money order made payable to Secretary of State, or write the credit card number, expiration date, and billing zip in the payment block, or select online payment in eCorp.
For example, Visa ending 4421, exp 09/28, billing zip 30303 is acceptable for paper filers paying by card.
A nuance is that the office will not accept cash by mail; only walk-in filers can pay cash.
The mistake of underpaying by even a dollar causes the request to bounce back. The consequence is the entire form must be resubmitted.
A misconception is that the fee is refundable if the entity is not in good standing. The fee is non-refundable once processed.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario below follows one named filer through the entire CD 510 process so you can see what an accurate form looks like in context.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Domestic LLC Owner Closing a Bank Loan
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Field 1: Entity Name | PEACHTREE LOGISTICS, LLC |
| Field 2: Control Number | 1234567 |
| Field 3: Entity Type | Domestic Limited Liability Company |
| Field 4: Certificate Type | Certificate of Existence |
| Field 5: Number of Certificates | 2 |
| Field 6: Delivery Method | Email PDF + U.S. Mail original |
| Field 7: Expedite Service | Same-Day |
| Field 8: Requester Contact | Maria Lopez, 145 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 555-0182 |
| Field 9: Signature/Date | Maria Lopez / 05/25/2026 |
| Field 10: Payment | Visa ending 4421 |
Maria’s bank requires a wet-stamped certificate plus a PDF for underwriting; ordering two certificates with same-day expedite gets both in the lender’s hands before the Friday closing.
Scenario 2: Marcus Johnson, Domestic Corporation Registering in Florida
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Field 1: Entity Name | JOHNSON CONSULTING GROUP, INC. |
| Field 2: Control Number | 7654321 |
| Field 3: Entity Type | Domestic Profit Corporation |
| Field 4: Certificate Type | Certificate of Existence |
| Field 5: Number of Certificates | 1 |
| Field 6: Delivery Method | U.S. Mail |
| Field 7: Expedite Service | Two-Business-Day |
| Field 8: Requester Contact | Marcus Johnson, 88 Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30030, (770) 555-0144 |
| Field 9: Signature/Date | Marcus Johnson / 05/25/2026 |
| Field 10: Payment | Check #1042 enclosed |
Marcus needs the original to attach to Florida’s foreign qualification application; two-business-day expedite balances cost and timing.
Scenario 3: Aisha Williams, Nonprofit Director Applying for a Grant
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Field 1: Entity Name | ATLANTA YOUTH FUTURES, INC. |
| Field 2: Control Number | 2468013 |
| Field 3: Entity Type | Domestic Nonprofit Corporation |
| Field 4: Certificate Type | Certificate of Existence |
| Field 5: Number of Certificates | 1 |
| Field 6: Delivery Method | Email PDF |
| Field 7: Expedite Service | Standard (online) |
| Field 8: Requester Contact | Aisha Williams, 220 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 555-0199 |
| Field 9: Signature/Date | Aisha Williams / 05/25/2026 |
| Field 10: Payment | eCorp credit card on file |
Aisha files online through eCorp and receives the authenticated PDF the same day, which she uploads to the foundation’s grant portal.
A fourth named filer, Janet Park, uses CD 510 to obtain a Certificate of Authorization for her Delaware corporation registered in Georgia, and a fifth, Carlos Rivera, files for an LLLP that needs a certificate for a real estate syndication closing in Tennessee.
How to File the Completed Form
Georgia accepts CD 510 through three channels, and each carries different fees, processing windows, and proof-of-filing.
Online through eCorp is the fastest channel. Log in to the eCorp portal, select Order Documents, choose Certificate of Existence, pay the $10 base fee by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover, and download the authenticated PDF, often within minutes during business hours. Save the email confirmation and the PDF as your proof of filing.
By mail to Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, 2 MLK Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313, West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334. Enclose the signed CD 510 and a check or money order for $10 base fee plus the expedite tier you selected (typically $100 for two-business-day, $250 for same-day, $1,000 for one-hour, per the official fee schedule). Use certified mail with tracking and keep the green card as proof of filing. Standard mail processing runs five to seven business days plus mail transit.
In person at the same Atlanta address during posted business hours. Bring the signed form and payment by cash, check, money order, or card. The office stamps a date-received copy you can keep as proof of filing, and same-day or one-hour expedite is available subject to the posted cutoffs.
Whichever channel you choose, keep the date-stamped confirmation, the order number, and the PDF certificate together in a permanent corporate file because lenders and foreign states sometimes ask for verification weeks later.
What Happens After You File
Once the Corporations Division receives a complete CD 510 with payment, the office verifies the entity’s status against the live database. If the entity is current on all annual registrations and has no administrative dissolution or revocation on record, the office issues the certificate immediately for online filings or within the expedite window selected for paper filings. The certificate carries the Secretary of State’s signature, the state seal, and an authentication code that recipients can verify through the eCorp authentication tool.
If the entity is delinquent, revoked, or administratively dissolved, the office will reject the request and refund nothing. You must first cure the defect by filing the missing annual registration through eCorp annual registration and paying any past-due fees, or by filing an Application for Reinstatement if the entity has been administratively dissolved. Only after the underlying issue is resolved can you resubmit CD 510.
Most certificates are accepted by recipients for 30 to 90 days after issuance, depending on the recipient’s policy. Banks often require certificates dated within 30 days of closing, while foreign Secretaries of State commonly accept up to 90 days. Track the issue date so you do not deliver a stale certificate.
If a counterparty challenges authenticity, point them to the authentication code printed on the certificate, which they can validate at no charge through the eCorp portal. The office does not issue replacement certificates for lost paper originals; you must order a new certificate.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Misspelling the entity name or omitting the comma before LLC. The exact-match search fails and the request is returned unprocessed.
- Leaving the control number blank. Processing slows by a full business day while staff search manually.
- Selecting the wrong certificate type for a foreign entity. The office cannot issue a Certificate of Existence for a non-Georgia entity.
- Underordering certificates. A second filing doubles the fee and the wait, often past your deadline.
- Choosing U.S. Mail without expediting. Mail transit alone can blow a closing date.
- Filing while the entity is delinquent on its annual registration. The office rejects the request and the fee paid for the certificate is non-refundable.
- Paying the wrong expedite fee. The form bounces back and you start over.
- Forgetting to sign the form. Unsigned requests are treated as incomplete and discarded.
- Using an old form revision. The office rejects superseded versions even if every field is correct.
- Using a personal email the requester does not monitor. Rejection notices and certificate PDFs go unread, costing days.
- Filing right before a holiday weekend without one-hour expedite. Office closures stack onto every other delay.
- Assuming a free Business Search printout will substitute. Lenders and foreign states reject unsigned printouts.
Each mistake above has cost real filers real money, so double-check the form against this list before submitting.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do confirm annual registration is current before paying for a certificate, because the fee is non-refundable.
- Do use the eCorp online portal when speed matters, because it issues authenticated PDFs in minutes.
- Do order extra certificates for closings that involve multiple parties, because reorders cost time you may not have.
- Do keep the authentication code with the certificate, because recipients increasingly verify online.
- Do file in blue or black ink on paper submissions, because other colors do not photocopy or scan reliably.
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Do match the exact legal name to the Secretary of State record, because the search is exact-match.
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Don’t fax the form, because the Corporations Division does not accept faxed CD 510 submissions.
- Don’t pay cash by mail, because the office returns cash mailings unprocessed.
- Don’t rely on a Certificate of Good Standing by name, because Georgia issues a Certificate of Existence or Authorization instead.
- Don’t file CD 510 to fix a revoked entity, because reinstatement is a separate filing.
- Don’t deliver a certificate older than 30 days to a bank, because most lenders reject stale certificates.
- Don’t sign on behalf of the entity if you lack authority, because misrepresentation can void the request.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro: Filing pro se saves money because the only cost is the state fee.
- Pro: Online eCorp filing is fast so a sole owner can self-serve in minutes.
- Pro: The form is simple with only ten fields and no notarization.
- Pro: You control timing without waiting on a third party’s queue.
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Pro: You learn the system which helps with future filings.
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Con: A single error costs days because there is no clerk to catch mistakes for you.
- Con: Pro se filers may miss delinquent annual registrations, paying for a certificate the office will refuse to issue.
- Con: Multi-state closings demand precision that an attorney or registered agent handles routinely.
- Con: Time spent filing is time away from the business which has its own opportunity cost.
- Con: Pro se filers lack rejection-handling experience so a bounced form can spiral into missed deadlines.
Filing Channel Comparison
| Channel | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Online via eCorp | $10 base fee, instant authenticated PDF, credit card only, available 24/7 |
| U.S. Mail | $10 base fee plus optional expedite, 5–7 business days plus mail transit, check or money order |
| In-Person Walk-In | $10 base fee plus optional expedite up to one-hour service, cash/check/card, business hours only |
The right channel depends on how fast you need the certificate and whether the recipient demands a wet-stamped original.
FAQs
Is Form CD 510 the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?
Yes. Georgia does not use the phrase “Good Standing,” but the Certificate of Existence issued through CD 510 serves the same purpose for banks, courts, and other states.
Do I need to notarize Form CD 510?
No. The Corporations Division does not require notarization, only the requester’s signature and date.
Can I file CD 510 if my LLC is delinquent on its annual registration?
No. The office will reject the request, keep the fee, and require you to file the missing annual registration through eCorp before reissuing a certificate.
How much does a Georgia Certificate of Existence cost?
Yes, there is a fee. The base certificate fee is $10, with optional expedite tiers of roughly $100 for two-day, $250 for same-day, and $1,000 for one-hour service.
Can I email Form CD 510 to the Corporations Division?
No. Paper submissions must come by mail or in person; the only electronic channel is the eCorp online portal.
Do I write my entity’s name in all caps in Field 1?
Yes, all caps is acceptable, but you must include punctuation and the entity designator exactly as filed, such as “LLC” or “Inc.”
Is the control number in Field 2 the same as my federal EIN?
No. The control number is the seven-digit Georgia ID assigned at registration, completely separate from the IRS-issued EIN.
Can I check both Certificate of Existence and Certificate of Authorization in Field 4?
No. Pick one based on whether the entity is domestic (Existence) or foreign-registered (Authorization).
Does my electronic signature in Field 9 count?
Yes. Typed-name e-signatures through eCorp and printed-and-signed scans on paper filings are both accepted.
How long is a Georgia Certificate of Existence valid?
Yes, it has practical limits. There is no formal expiration, but most recipients accept it only if dated within 30 to 90 days.
Can a registered agent or attorney sign Field 9 instead of an officer?
Yes. Any authorized requester may sign, including attorneys, paralegals, and registered agents acting for the entity.
Will the Corporations Division refund my fee if the certificate is rejected?
No. Fees paid for certificate requests are non-refundable, even when the entity is not eligible to receive one.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Georgia Corp/LLC Annual Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 030 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 230 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 410 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Securities Form D Notice (GA) (w/Examples) + FAQs