LLC by State Guide › Compare › Georgia vs Illinois
Georgia vs Illinois LLC (2026)
Georgia is cheaper to form, by $40. Georgia is cheaper to keep, by $15 a year. Over five years Georgia costs $100 less in state fees. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, files in either state for $199 a year.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
Side by side
Mainstay Filing
Our rating: 4.9 out of 5
$199 / year, same at renewal
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Questions
Is Georgia or Illinois cheaper for an LLC?
Georgia is cheaper to form, by $40. Georgia is cheaper to keep, by $15 a year. Over five years Georgia costs $100 less in state fees.
Which has the lower filing fee, Georgia or Illinois?
Georgia: $110. Illinois: $150.
Do I need a registered agent in Georgia and Illinois?
Georgia: required. Illinois: required.
Sources
- Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division fee schedule Rev. 8/2025, effective September 6, 2025 (Articles of Organization $100 + $10 service charge, online and paper; georgia.gov still shows the older $100 online / $110 mail split, the newer SOS schedule is used): sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Reference%20-%20Filing%20Fees_0.pdf, checked October 1, 2026
- Georgia Secretary of State fee schedule Rev. 8/2025 and annual registration guide (annual registration $50 + $10 service charge = $60, online and paper, effective September 6, 2025): sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration, checked October 16, 2026
- Georgia report due date (multira state research spine, due dates verified 714/714): law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-14/chapter-11/article-11/section-14-11-1103/, checked August 12, 2026
- Georgia registered agent statute (O.C.G.A. § 14-11-209): sos.ga.gov/page/business-division-faq, checked October 20, 2026
- 805 ILCS 180/5-5 (articles of organization); 805 ILCS 180/5-1 (filing with Secretary of State) (multira state research spine): www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K5-5, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K50-10, checked October 1, 2026
- Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ilsos.gov/publications/business-services/llc.html, checked October 1, 2026
- Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division (multira state research spine): www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/annual-reports/llc-instructions.html, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division (multira state research spine): www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/annual-reports.html, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois registered agent statute (805 ILCS 180/1-35): www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K1-35, checked October 20, 2026