Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has a Christmas present for business owners across the state.
With a new, innovative “one-click” process offered online, Georgia business owners will have more time to spend on their company, and less time filling out paperwork.
“As a small business owner myself, the more time I’m stuck doing paperwork, the less time I have to focus on growing my business,” said Kemp. “Now, you just type in your business’s name or control number on the new website and breeze through check-out without having to track down a username and password.”
According to senior staff in the Secretary of State’s office, this new system is the result of listening to many business owners across the state who had concerns about the time spent in the log-in process because of the large volume of users. Staff emphasized that Secretary Kemp wanted to make the process easier since the registration is required annually.
“The feedback we received from people using the old site helped us build a better, more efficient system for all users,” said Kemp. “The final product is user-friendly and intuitive, and I’m looking forward to a great 2016 annual renewal season for all Georgia businesses.”
The new system allows for “one-click annual registration” and “express annual registration” — without the registrant ever having to log in. The new feature is available now on the SOS website, although staffers recommend business owners wait until after Jan. 1 to file. While business owners are required to register each year between Jan 1 and April 1, those filing prior to the beginning of 2016 would have to re-file in January.
Both the one-click and express registrations are accessed through the Corporations Divisions on the SOS website. Business owners choosing to use the “one-click” system will need to be up to date on their filing fees. Those looking to update their business information can do so through the Express Annual Registration process. To renew online, registrants can use their company name or control number, and a valid email address.
A receipt will be emailed to business owners following the online registration.
Business owners who prefer paper registration can print out the form through the one-click process. Any needed changes can be made prior to printing the form, or can be hand-written after the form is printed.
“The new system is vastly different from the former system,” said one senior staffer in Kemp’s office. “Secretary Kemp heard the business owners across the state, and answered them. He wanted to make the process easier for all business owners in
Georgia, and he believes this new online registration process is what the people of this state expect.”
The new system “walks” the user through each step, making it more user friendly. Staff in the SOS office are currently working on videos, PowerPoints and links to help business owners utilize the new program. Those business owners want to access their business dashboard can still do so by logging in.
