Georgia · Corporations, LLCs, agents
Serving Businesses and Registered Agents in Georgia
DFS serves Georgia corporations, LLCs and other entities through the people the law names to receive process: officers, managing agents and registered agents.
Who can accept for the company
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4(e)(1), a corporation organized in Georgia, or one authorized to do business here, is generally served through its president or another officer, a managing agent, or its registered agent. Georgia LLCs must keep a registered agent under § 14-11-209.
A receptionist who offers to take the papers is not automatically on that list. The serve needs to reach a person with authority, and the proof needs to say who that person was and why they qualified.
How a business serve works
- Confirm the exact entitySend the legal name as filed and the registered agent listed on the Secretary of State record.
- Choose the targetTell DFS whether to serve the agent, a named officer or a managing agent at a location.
- Attempt and recordThe server approaches during business hours and records the exchange from approach to handoff.
- Return the proofThe signed proof identifies the person served, the role claimed and the place and time.
What DFS handles
Service on Georgia corporations and LLCs through officers, managing agents or registered agents, with a signed proof of service.
- Registered office serviceDelivery to the registered agent at the registered office shown on the Secretary of State's online business search.
- Officer or managing agent serviceDelivery to an officer, or to a manager or supervisor at an in-state office who fits the statute's definition.
- Identity and title recordedThe name and stated role of the person served are noted and captured on body camera.
- Failed agent reportIf the agent cannot be found at the registered office, attempts are logged for counsel's next step.
- Qualified serverDFS confirms before the first attempt that the server assigned meets the issuing court's requirements for that document.
Secretary of State service and other limits
When an agent cannot be found, Georgia allows service through the Secretary of State in certain cases, but that is a filing step for the plaintiff, not a field serve.
- The plaintiff or attorney certifies in writing to the Secretary of State and mails the papers to the last registered office; DFS does not prepare or submit those filings.
- The Secretary of State accepts the service but generally does not forward it to the entity.
- DFS reports failed attempts at a registered office so counsel can document the record.
Questions about businesses & registered agents
How do I find a Georgia company's registered agent?
Search the entity on the Georgia Secretary of State's online business search. The record lists the registered agent and registered office address.
Can papers be left with any employee?
Not safely. Georgia law points to officers, managing agents and registered agents, so DFS asks for the person's name and role and records the answer.
What if the registered agent has moved?
DFS logs the attempts at the registered office and reports them. Counsel can then decide whether to serve an officer or use the Secretary of State route.
Georgia guides
Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.
Related pages
More on process serving in Georgia.
Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about Georgia practice, not legal advice.
Papers to serve in Georgia?
Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, service level and price in writing before the first attempt.
Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.