Georgia Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Georgia nonprofit corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
- Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
- Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization
Fast Facts
| Agency: | Georgia Secretary of State |
| Form: | Application - Certificate of Authority for Profit or Nonprofit Corporation (CD 236) |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 filing fee + $5 service charge (online) or $110 (mail) |
| Turnaround: | ~5-12 business days |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | To file by mail submit GA Data Transmittal Form 227, the original and one copy of the articles, and $100 filing fee. |
Other Helpful Georgia Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Georgia, keep in mind:
Georgia Directors
- Number: minimum 1
- Qualifications: Natural person 18 years of age or older. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: 1 year
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Georgia Officers
- Defined in articles or bylaws. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and authenticates records of the corporation.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Georgia Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
