• Learn about the Georgia Secretary of State’s name availability standards. These may help you choose an appropriate, available business name.
• Search existing business names online. You can use the Secretary of State’s online business search to determine if your desired name is taken. This is for research purposes only and is not meant to serve as an official name availability search.
• Pick a business name and decide on a few variations. You’ll have the opportunity to choose three names. That way, if your first choice is already taken, you don’t have to keep reapplying with new names.

• A form of payment. Depending on how you apply, your form of payment will be one of the following: credit card, check, cashier’s check, or money order.

You can file a name reservation online, by mail, or in person. In all cases, the $25 filing fee is nonrefundable.

• Once you file your name reservation, the Secretary of State will perform a thorough name search. If your first name is taken, the agency will continue searching the names you provided in your stated order of preference.
• If one of your names is approved, your name is reserved for 30 days. If you wish to continue reserving your name after 30 days, you will have to reapply and pay an additional $25 fee ($35 if filing in paper format).
• If all three options are taken, you will receive a rejection notice by email, mail, or phone. You then have the option to reapply with three new name options for an additional $25 fee ($35 if filing in paper format).