A Georgia Alcohol Manufacturer License is the state permit that lets a business legally make beer, distilled spirits, or wine in Georgia, and it is filed online with the Georgia Department of Revenue through the Georgia Tax Center portal. It is required for breweries, distilleries, and farm wineries before a single bottle, can, or barrel leaves the production floor for sale.
The license sits at the top of Georgia’s three-tier system, and getting one wrong field, one missing PDF, or one out-of-order step can stall your opening by months. Georgia runs a dual system, where you must hold a local city or county license before the state will even process your application, and the state cannot guarantee a license if you wait too long. One useful number to anchor your planning: between the mandatory 30-day public notice and agency review, most applicants wait 60 to 120 days from filing to approval, so this is not a same-week task.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🏭 What the manufacturer license is, who must file it, and which type fits brewery, distillery, or farm winery operations
- 📋 The full pre-filing checklist of documents, ID numbers, and approvals you need before you log in
- 🖥️ A field-by-field walkthrough of the Georgia Tax Center application and its supporting forms
- 💵 Current fees, the $10,000 distillery tax bond, renewal timing, and the penalties for getting it wrong
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that trigger holds, rejections, and costly delays
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Georgia Alcohol Manufacturer License is a state-issued production license required under O.C.G.A. Title 3, Georgia’s alcoholic beverage code. It authorizes a business to manufacture alcohol inside the state, and it is granted by the Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Tobacco Division. The license is not the same as a license to sell to the public, which is a separate retail or taproom matter.
Georgia issues a different manufacturer license for each type of producer, and you must pick the one that matches what you make. The main in-state manufacturer categories are Brewery (malt beverages), Distillery (distilled spirits), Farm Winery (Georgia-grown wine), Winery, and Brewpub (a restaurant that brews on site). There are also Broker, Importer, and out-of-state versions for companies based outside Georgia that ship product in.
You must file if your business produces beverage alcohol for commercial sale in Georgia. A hobbyist who brews at home for personal use does not need this license, but the moment you sell, distribute, or even plan a taproom, the license is mandatory. The reason matters: the state uses this license to track excise tax, enforce the three-tier separation between makers, wholesalers, and retailers, and confirm that every producer has passed a background and tax-clearance check.
A common misconception is that one manufacturer license covers everything a producer wants to do. It does not. A brewery that wants a taproom needs its manufacturing license plus a separate retail license, and a distillery that wants to sell bottles on site needs added authority. Treat the manufacturer license as your permission to make the product, not your permission to sell it directly.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Georgia requires you to scan and save every supporting document as its own individual PDF before you open the application, because the Georgia Tax Center asks you to upload files as you move through the screens. Walking in unprepared is the top reason applications stall, so gather everything first. The Department of Revenue states plainly that background investigation, tax clearance, and fingerprinting may be required for some licenses.
Use this pre-filing checklist. Each item has a reason and a consequence if it is missing.
- Issued local (city or county) alcohol license — the state will not process your application without it, and the local license must come first or your filing is a hard stop.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) — required to register your business in GTC, and a missing or mismatched EIN blocks account creation. You get one free at irs.gov/ein.
- Georgia Secretary of State entity registration — you cannot license as a person, so your LLC or corporation must be active and in good standing through ecorp.sos.ga.gov, or your application can be denied.
- Federal TTB permit or Brewer’s Notice — the TTB Permits Online approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, without which you cannot lawfully produce; missing it can void the entire effort.
- Notarized Citizenship Affidavit — Georgia verifies lawful presence under O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1, and an un-notarized affidavit gets the file kicked back.
- ATT-17 Personnel Statement — a personal and financial disclosure for each owner, officer, and partner; an incomplete ATT-17 stalls the background review.
- Surety bond — distilleries need a $10,000 Georgia distillery tax bond per the surety bond requirement; without it a distillery cannot be licensed.
- Lease, deed, or proof of premises — the state ties the license to a physical, properly zoned address, and a vague or unzoned location can sink the application.
- Floor plan or plant diagram — showing where production happens, which the agency uses to confirm the facility matches your stated activity.
- Brand and label registrations (ATT-104) — for the products you intend to sell, since unregistered brands cannot legally enter Georgia commerce.
Gather these before you log in. The single biggest time-saver is having each PDF named clearly and ready to attach the moment a screen asks for it.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Georgia no longer uses a paper manufacturer application for the main filing. You complete and submit the application online through the Georgia Tax Center, the Department of Revenue’s secure portal for alcohol, tobacco, and tax accounts. The guidance pages for each license type live on the Apply for a License to Sell Alcohol section of the DOR site, organized under “Manufacturers/Broker.”
To begin, you need a Georgia Tax Center logon tied to your business. If you already file Georgia sales tax or withholding, you likely have an account; if not, you register a new one using your EIN and business details. The portal is where you choose your specific license type, answer the application screens, upload your PDFs, and pay the fee by electronic check or card.
Some supporting documents are still standalone PDF forms you fill out by hand or on your computer and then upload. The most common are the ATT-17 Personnel Statement, the Citizenship Affidavit, and the ATT-104 brand/label registration. You can find these on the Department of Revenue’s alcohol forms library, and you should download the current version each time rather than reusing an old saved copy, because revision dates change.
Always confirm you are using the most recent revision of each form. Georgia updates its alcohol forms periodically, and a form bearing an outdated revision date can be rejected. Check the bottom corner of each PDF for the revision date and match it against the version posted on the DOR site the week you file.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Georgia Alcohol Manufacturer License Line by Line
This section walks the Georgia Tax Center screens and the key supporting forms in the order you meet them. Use the exact field labels shown in GTC, and italicized text shows sample entries exactly as they appear on the form.
Step 1: Logon and “Register a New Tax Account” Selection
The first screen asks you to log in to the Georgia Tax Center and choose to add an alcohol license to your business account.
You log in with your username and password, then select Register a New Tax Account or Add Alcohol License, depending on your account state. New users click Sign Up and follow the prompts using their EIN.
For example, Carlos Mendez of Peachtree Spirits LLC logs in, clicks Register a New Tax Account, and selects the alcohol license path.
If you already hold a Georgia sales tax account, you do not create a second logon — you add the alcohol license under the same business profile. A brand-new business with no Georgia tax history registers the business first, then returns to add the license.
The most common mistake here is creating a duplicate GTC logon under a slightly different business name, which splits your records and confuses the review. The direct consequence is a delayed file while the Department untangles which account is real.
A misconception is that the GTC logon is the license. It is not — the logon is only the front door, and the license is the multi-screen application you complete after you are inside.
Step 2: License Type Selection
This screen asks which manufacturer license you are applying for.
You choose your exact category from the list: Brewery, Distillery, Farm Winery, Winery, Brewpub, Broker, or Importer, and you pick In-State or Out-of-State to match where your plant sits.
For example, Dana Okafor, opening a malt beverage plant in Athens, selects In-State Brewery.
If you both brew and distill at one site, you may need two separate manufacturer licenses, because Georgia treats malt beverages and distilled spirits as different products. Apply for each one separately.
A common mistake is choosing “Brewpub” when you mean “Brewery,” or vice versa — a brewpub is a restaurant that brews, while a brewery is a production plant. Picking the wrong one routes your file to the wrong review track and forces you to restart.
People often assume “Winery” and “Farm Winery” are the same. They are not — a Georgia Farm Winery carries special privileges tied to using Georgia-grown fruit, so choose based on your fruit sourcing, not on which name sounds better.
Step 3: Business Legal Name and Trade Name (DBA)
This screen asks for your exact legal entity name and any “doing business as” name.
You enter the legal name exactly as it appears on your Secretary of State registration, then enter your DBA or trade name in the separate field if you sell under a different brand name.
For example, Peachtree Spirits LLC is the legal name, and Red Clay Bourbon Co. is entered as the trade name.
If your legal name and DBA differ, enter both — leaving the DBA blank when you actually use one creates a mismatch on your labels and invoices later.
The most common mistake is typing the legal name with a small variation, such as dropping “LLC” or adding a comma the state record does not show. The consequence is a name-match failure against Secretary of State records, which holds the file.
A misconception is that the trade name on this form registers your brand. It does not — brand registration is a separate step handled on ATT-104, covered later.
Step 4: Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and Ownership Type
This screen asks for your EIN and how your business is structured.
You enter the nine-digit EIN with no dashes if the field strips them, and you select your entity type — LLC, Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietor.
For example, Carlos Mendez enters XX-XXXXXXX as issued by the IRS and selects Limited Liability Company.
If your business recently changed structure — say, from sole proprietor to LLC — use the EIN tied to the current entity, not the old one, or the license attaches to a dead entity.
A common mistake is entering a Social Security number instead of an EIN. The consequence is an immediate validation error, because manufacturer licenses must sit under a business EIN.
People often think any EIN they have will work. It will not — it must be the EIN registered to the exact entity named on this application and at the Secretary of State.
Step 5: Premises Address and Zoning Confirmation
This screen asks for the physical address where you will manufacture.
You enter the street address of the plant, not a mailing address or P.O. Box, because the license is tied to where production happens. You confirm the location is zoned for manufacturing.
For example, Dana Okafor enters 1420 Industrial Park Dr, Athens, GA 30601 as the production premises.
If your taproom and your brewhouse share a building but sit in different zoning areas, list the production address and be ready to show that both uses are permitted at that parcel.
A common mistake is entering a home or office address instead of the licensed premises. The consequence is a denial, because Georgia licenses the place where alcohol is made.
A misconception is that a P.O. Box is acceptable here. It is not — manufacturing requires a verifiable physical location, and a box address fails the premises check.
Step 6: Local License Information
This screen asks for proof and details of your issued city or county alcohol license.
You enter your local license number, the issuing jurisdiction, and the issue date, then upload the local license as a PDF.
For example, Peachtree Spirits LLC enters its City of Decatur manufacturer license number and uploads the signed certificate.
If your city and county both issue alcohol approvals, upload whichever document your local government treats as the operating license, and contact the local authority if you are unsure.
The most common mistake is applying to the state before the local license is in hand. The consequence is a hard stop — the Department of Revenue will not process the state application without the local license first.
People assume the state and local licenses can be obtained at the same time. They cannot — Georgia’s dual system requires local approval first, then state.
Step 7: Owners, Officers, and Partners (ATT-17 Personnel Statement)
This step asks for a detailed personal statement from each owner, officer, partner, and major stakeholder, filed on the ATT-17 Personnel Statement.
You complete one ATT-17 per covered person, listing full legal name, home address, date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, Social Security number, and a financial and background disclosure, then upload each as its own PDF.
For example, Carlos Mendez completes an ATT-17 listing his date of birth as 07/22/1984 and discloses his ownership share in Peachtree Spirits LLC.
If your company has multiple owners, every person who meets the ownership threshold needs a separate ATT-17 — one combined sheet for several owners is not accepted.
The most common mistake is leaving the criminal-history or prior-license questions blank. The consequence is a stalled background investigation, because the Division reads a blank as an incomplete disclosure.
A misconception is that minority owners can be skipped. They usually cannot — Georgia screens owners and officers at and above the disclosure threshold, so confirm who must file before you assume someone is exempt.
Step 8: Citizenship / Lawful Presence Affidavit
This step asks each applicant to confirm lawful presence in the United States under O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1.
You complete the affidavit, present a secure and verifiable identity document, and have the affidavit notarized, then upload the notarized PDF.
For example, Dana Okafor signs the affidavit before a notary and attaches a copy of her Georgia driver’s license as the verifiable document.
If you are a lawful permanent resident rather than a citizen, you check the non-citizen box and provide your alien registration number, because the law covers lawful presence, not citizenship alone.
The most common mistake is uploading an affidavit that was signed but never notarized. The consequence is an automatic kickback, since the statute requires notarization.
People often think a utility bill or a photocopy of any ID satisfies this. It does not — the document must be one of the secure, verifiable types Georgia accepts.
Step 9: Surety Bond Upload (Distilleries)
This step, required for Distillery applicants, asks for proof of a tax bond.
You obtain a $10,000 Georgia distillery tax bond and upload the bond document as a PDF, naming the Department of Revenue as obligee.
For example, Carlos Mendez secures a $10,000 distillery tax bond and uploads the executed form.
If you operate more than one distillery location, confirm whether each site needs its own bond, because bonding can be tied to the licensed premises.
The most common mistake is uploading a bond quote instead of an executed, signed bond. The consequence is a hold, because a quote is not proof of coverage.
A misconception is that all manufacturers need this bond. They do not — the $10,000 tax bond is specific to distilled-spirits producers, while breweries and wineries follow different requirements.
Step 10: Brand and Label Registration (ATT-104)
This step asks you to register the brands and labels you intend to sell in Georgia, using ATT-104.
You list each brand name and product, attach the federal TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for each, and upload the completed ATT-104.
For example, Red Clay Bourbon Co. registers Red Clay Straight Bourbon and attaches its TTB COLA.
If you plan to release a new product later, you file an additional ATT-104 at that time rather than guessing every future brand now.
The most common mistake is selling a product whose brand was never registered. The consequence is that the product cannot legally move through Georgia distributors.
People assume the trade name from Step 3 covers their products. It does not — each individual brand and label needs its own ATT-104 registration.
Step 11: License Number Formatting and Review
This step appears as the Department assigns or references your license and account numbers, which use a fixed digit format.
You enter any requested license or account number exactly as shown, keeping all leading zeros, because Georgia license numbers are a fixed length.
For example, a license number is entered as 0001234 rather than 1234.
If a system field seems to drop your leading zeros, format the cell as text or contact GTC support so the number is stored correctly.
The most common mistake is dropping leading zeros, which makes the number too short. The consequence is a mismatch that delays processing and renewals.
A misconception is that the numeric value is all that matters. It is not — the exact digit count, including zeros, is part of how the Department indexes your record.
Step 12: Fee Payment and Submission
The final screen asks you to pay the license fee and submit.
You review every entry, confirm all PDFs uploaded, pay the fee by electronic check or card, and click Submit. Save the confirmation number.
For example, Dana Okafor pays the brewery fee and records confirmation number GTC-XXXXXX before logging out.
If a required upload is still missing, the system flags it — fix it before paying, because a partial submission can waste the fee on a rejected file.
The most common mistake is closing the browser before the confirmation page loads. The consequence is uncertainty about whether you actually filed, and possibly a duplicate submission.
People assume payment equals approval. It does not — payment only submits the application, and approval comes after review and the public-notice period.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named producers walking the full application. Each table shows the key screens and exactly what they enter.
Scenario 1: Carlos Mendez Opens a Craft Distillery
Carlos is launching Peachtree Spirits LLC (trade name Red Clay Bourbon Co.) in Decatur and needs the distillery license with its tax bond.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | In-State Distillery |
| Legal Name | Peachtree Spirits LLC |
| Trade Name (DBA) | Red Clay Bourbon Co. |
| EIN / Entity Type | XX-XXXXXXX / LLC |
| Premises Address | 512 Commerce Way, Decatur, GA 30030 |
| Local License | City of Decatur manufacturer license, uploaded PDF |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 distillery tax bond, executed and uploaded |
| Citizenship Affidavit | Notarized, with GA driver’s license attached |
| Brand Registration | Red Clay Straight Bourbon with TTB COLA on ATT-104 |
| Fee / Submit | Pays distillery fee, saves confirmation number |
Scenario 2: Dana Okafor Opens a Microbrewery with a Taproom
Dana runs Classic City Brewing LLC in Athens and plans a taproom, so she files the brewery manufacturer license and knows a separate retail license follows.
| Form Section | What Dana Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | In-State Brewery |
| Legal Name | Classic City Brewing LLC |
| Trade Name (DBA) | Classic City Brewing |
| EIN / Entity Type | XX-XXXXXXX / LLC |
| Premises Address | 1420 Industrial Park Dr, Athens, GA 30601 |
| Zoning Note | Production in industrial zone, taproom confirmed permitted |
| Local License | Athens-Clarke County license, uploaded PDF |
| ATT-17 | One personal statement, DOB 03/11/1990 |
| Citizenship Affidavit | Notarized, GA ID attached |
| Fee / Submit | Pays brewery fee, notes separate taproom retail license needed |
Scenario 3: Janet Whitfield Opens a Farm Winery
Janet grows muscadine grapes near Dahlonega and opens Whitfield Family Farm Winery LLC, choosing the farm winery category for its Georgia-fruit privileges.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | In-State Farm Winery |
| Legal Name | Whitfield Family Farm Winery LLC |
| Trade Name (DBA) | Whitfield Vineyards |
| EIN / Entity Type | XX-XXXXXXX / LLC |
| Premises Address | 88 Vineyard Ridge Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533 |
| Fruit Sourcing | Georgia-grown muscadine, supporting farm winery status |
| Local License | Lumpkin County farm winery license, uploaded PDF |
| ATT-17 | One personal statement, DOB 09/02/1978 |
| Brand Registration | Whitfield Muscadine White on ATT-104 |
| Fee / Submit | Pays farm winery fee, saves confirmation number |
How to File the Completed Form
Georgia routes nearly all manufacturer applications through one channel, but here is how each available path works so you can keep proper proof.
- Online through the Georgia Tax Center (primary channel). File at gtc.dor.ga.gov. State manufacturer fees commonly run from $500 to $1,500 or more depending on the product and capacity, plus the $1,000-range state fee category and any distillery bond. Payment is by electronic check or card inside the portal. Expect 60 to 120 days total once you include the public-notice period. Your proof of filing is the on-screen confirmation number and the email receipt — save both.
- Local license office (the required first step, not the state filing). Before GTC, you apply in person or online with your city or county licensing or revenue office. Local fees range widely, from roughly $500 in smaller jurisdictions to $5,000 in Atlanta. Payment methods are set by the local office. Keep the stamped local license certificate, because you upload it into GTC.
- Federal TTB (parallel, not Georgia, but required to operate). Apply through TTB Permits Online for your Basic Permit or Brewer’s Notice. This federal step is free but can take several weeks to a few months, so start it early. Your proof is the issued TTB permit, which you keep on file and may reference in your state application.
A timing detail many miss: Georgia requires a 30-day public notice posted at your premises after you apply, and renewal season runs the first business day of September through December 31. To file by mail or fax is generally not the path for the centralized online process, so plan on the portal.
What Happens After You File
After you submit in GTC, the Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Tobacco Division begins its review, which includes verifying your local license, checking your tax clearance, and running the background investigation tied to your ATT-17 disclosures. During this window, the 30-day public notice must be posted at your premises, giving the public a chance to object before approval. Nothing is final until that period closes and the Division signs off.
If everything checks out, the Department issues your manufacturer license, which you can view and print through the portal’s “Print an Alcohol License” function. Processing after the notice period commonly runs another 30 to 90 days depending on the license type and any backlog, so the total realistic window is two to four months from a clean filing. If the Division finds a missing document or a name mismatch, it issues a request for correction, and the clock effectively pauses until you respond.
Your license is tied to a license year, and renewal season opens the first business day of September and closes December 31. The Department advises renewing before November 1 so your new license arrives before January 1, because an expired license means you cannot lawfully produce. Treat renewal as a fixed annual deadline, not a reminder you wait to receive.
A common misconception is that approval is permanent once granted. It is not — manufacturer licenses are annual, and a lapse in renewal, a change of ownership, or a move to a new premises all require action to keep the license valid.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Applying for the state license before the local license is issued, which is a hard stop that the Department will not process.
- Entering a P.O. Box or mailing address as the premises, which fails the physical-location check and triggers denial.
- Choosing the wrong license type, such as Brewpub instead of Brewery, which routes the file to the wrong review track and forces a restart.
- Dropping the leading zeros on a license or account number, which creates a mismatch that delays processing and renewals.
- Uploading documents bundled into one PDF instead of separate files, which can break the upload step and stall review.
- Submitting an un-notarized Citizenship Affidavit, which the statute rejects automatically.
- Leaving criminal-history or prior-license questions blank on the ATT-17, which the Division reads as an incomplete disclosure.
- Uploading a surety bond quote instead of an executed bond, which is not accepted as proof of coverage.
- Using a Social Security number instead of an EIN in the business identification field, which causes an immediate validation error.
- Selling a product whose brand and label were never registered on ATT-104, which blocks the product from moving through distributors.
- Skipping the federal TTB permit, which means production is not lawful even with a perfect state file.
- Missing the renewal window that closes December 31, which lets the license lapse and halts production until it is restored.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do get your local city or county license first, because the state will not move without it.
- Do scan every supporting document as its own clearly named PDF, because the portal asks for separate uploads.
- Do start your federal TTB application early, because it runs in parallel and can take months.
- Do match your legal name exactly to your Secretary of State record, because name mismatches cause holds.
- Do confirm your premises is properly zoned for manufacturing, because the license is tied to that address.
- Do save your GTC confirmation number and email receipt, because they are your proof of filing.
Don’ts
- Don’t wait until the last minute to file, because the public-notice period alone adds 30 days.
- Don’t reuse an old saved version of a form, because outdated revision dates can be rejected.
- Don’t assume one manufacturer license also lets you sell to the public, because retail and taproom sales need separate authority.
- Don’t enter a Social Security number where an EIN is required, because it triggers an instant error.
- Don’t leave any disclosure question blank, because blanks read as incomplete and stall the background review.
- Don’t skip the annual renewal deadline, because a lapsed license stops production cold.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many small producers file the manufacturer application themselves, while others hire an alcohol-licensing attorney or consultant. Here is how the two compare.
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Saves money, because you avoid attorney or consultant fees that can run into the thousands. | Costs more, because licensing counsel charges for their time and expertise. |
| Gives you direct control and a deeper understanding of your own compliance obligations. | Frees your time so you can focus on building out the plant and product. |
| Works well for a single-owner brewery or farm winery with a clean background and one location. | Helps most when ownership is complex, with multiple partners or investors to disclose. |
| Avoids the risk of a middleman miscommunicating your facts to the agency. | Reduces the risk of a rejected filing, because pros know the exact field formats and pitfalls. |
| Builds a relationship with GTC support that helps at renewal time each year. | Speeds correction of holds, because experienced filers respond to agency requests quickly. |
The right choice depends on your structure and risk tolerance. A solo farm winery with a simple ownership chart often files alone, while a multi-investor distillery facing the $10,000 bond and brand registrations may save months by paying for help.
How the Key Agencies and Statutes Connect
Several entities touch your manufacturer license, and each plays a distinct role. The Georgia Department of Revenue and its Alcohol and Tobacco Division issue and enforce the state license. Your local city or county issues the license that must come first. The Georgia Secretary of State registers your business entity. The federal TTB issues the Basic Permit, Brewer’s Notice, and label approvals, and O.C.G.A. Title 3 is the statute that requires the license in the first place.
These connect in a chain. O.C.G.A. § 3-2-7.1 directed the Department of Revenue to build the centralized online process you now use, while O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1 drives the notarized lawful-presence affidavit. The consequence of ignoring any one link is real: skip the Secretary of State step and your entity is not valid, skip TTB and production is unlawful, and skip the local license and the state will not even look at your file.
FAQs
Do I need a separate license to sell beer in my brewery’s taproom?
Yes. A manufacturer license only allows you to make the product, so a taproom that sells pints to the public needs a separate retail license filed with the Department of Revenue.
Do I have to get my local city or county license before the state license?
Yes. Georgia uses a dual system, and the Department of Revenue will not process your state manufacturer application until your local license is issued and uploaded.
Is the federal TTB permit required in addition to the Georgia license?
Yes. You need a federal TTB Basic Permit or Brewer’s Notice to lawfully produce, and it is entirely separate from Georgia’s state license, so apply early.
Do all manufacturers need the $10,000 tax bond?
No. The $10,000 tax bond is specific to distilleries that make distilled spirits, while breweries and wineries follow different requirements.
Should I enter my Social Security number or my EIN in the business ID field?
No, not your SSN. The manufacturer license sits under a business EIN, and entering an SSN triggers an immediate validation error.
Do I write my legal business name or my brand name in the legal name field?
No brand names there. Enter your exact legal entity name as registered with the Secretary of State, and put your brand in the separate trade name or DBA field.
Does the trade name field register my product brands?
No. Brand and label registration is a separate step done on the ATT-104 form, with a TTB label approval attached for each product.
Do I need to keep the leading zeros in my license number?
Yes. Georgia license numbers are a fixed length, so a number like 0001234 must keep its leading zeros or it will fail to match your record.
Can I use a P.O. Box as my premises address?
No. The license is tied to the physical place where you manufacture, so a P.O. Box fails the premises verification.
Does the Citizenship Affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes. Georgia law requires the lawful-presence affidavit to be notarized, and an un-notarized version is automatically kicked back.
Can I file the local and state applications at the same time to save time?
No. The local license must be fully issued first, because the state filing requires you to upload the local license as proof.
Does paying the fee in GTC mean my license is approved?
No. Payment only submits your application, and approval comes after the background review and the mandatory 30-day public notice period.
When does Georgia’s alcohol license renewal season run?
Yes, there is a fixed window. Renewal opens the first business day of September and closes December 31, and you should renew before November 1 to receive your license by January 1.
Do I need a different application if my brewery is based outside Georgia?
Yes. Out-of-state manufacturers use the dedicated out-of-state brewery, distillery, or winery category in the Georgia Tax Center rather than the in-state version.
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