How to Guide: Paid Solicitor
How to Apply
- Complete your specific application, get it signed and notarized, and pay the required fee.
- See specific instructions for each application type.
- Submit all the required documentation and fees.
- Applications should be submitted online.
Select your application type to view instructions on how to apply:
Paid Solicitor Ongoing Filings
Keep Your Contact Info Up to Date
- Be sure the email address you include on your application is correct and up to date. Email is the primary means of communication for the Division.
- Additionally, it is important for applicants/licensees to update their email address with the Division just as they would update their physical and mailing addresses.
Fees
|
Register |
$250 |
|
Renew |
$100 |
|
Reinstate |
$250 |
|
Withdraw |
No Fee |
|
Amend |
$15 |
Paid Solicitor Registration
A paid solicitor is a person other than a commercial co-venturer who, for compensation, performs for a charitable organization any service in connection with which contributions are, or will be, solicited within or from this state. A paid solicitor shall also include any fund-raising counsel who at any time has custody of contributions from a solicitation. A bona fide salaried officer, employee, or volunteer of a charitable organization is not considered to be a paid solicitor. [O.C.G.A 43-17-2(12)]
Complete the S-100 Application Form. Download Form>>
A Paid Solicitor who has physical possession or legal control over any contributions that they collect must submit a $10,000.00 surety bond payable to the State of Georgia.
The Paid Solicitor must complete and get notarized the Paid Solicitor Bond Registration Form.
If the paid solicitor will have physical possession or legal control over any contributions they collected in or from this state on behalf of any charitable organization, the applicant Paid Solicitor shall attach to the application for registration as a paid solicitor a financial statement for the fiscal year of the application which ended within one year prior to the date of filing. If the fiscal year of the applicant has ended within 90 days prior to the date of filing, the financial statement may be dated as of the end of the fiscal year preceding such last fiscal year. Such financial statement shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. [O.C.G.A § 43-17-3(c)(3)]
The initial application fee is $250.00. The fee payment must be made by check or money order. Make the check or money order out to "Georgia Secretary of State".
Paid Solicitor Renewal
Registrations for Paid Solicitors expire on December 31 of each year.
Registrations for Paid Solicitors expire on December 31 of each year.
The registration of a Paid Solicitor must be renewed each year by the by filing the Renewal Form, a renewal fee of $100.00 and, if applicable, a current bond and financial statement. [O.C.G.A. 43-17-3]. Upon receipt, the Division will review the information and will contact your organization if additional information is required.
PLEASE NOTE: If the renewal documentation and fee are not filed with the Division on or before December 31st, the registration will expire.
The Division will send the renewal form to active registrants approximately forty-five (45) days prior to the renewal date. Please submit a fully completed Paid Solicitor renewal form.
A Paid Solicitor who has physical possession or legal control over any contributions that they collect must submit a $10,000.00 surety bond payable to the State of Georgia.
The Paid Solicitor must complete and get notarized the Paid Solicitor Bond Registration Form.
If the paid solicitor will have physical possession or legal control over any contributions they collected in or from this state on behalf of any charitable organization, the applicant Paid Solicitor shall attach to the application for registration as a paid solicitor a financial statement for the fiscal year of the application which ended within one year prior to the date of filing. If the fiscal year of the applicant has ended within 90 days prior to the date of filing, the financial statement may be dated as of the end of the fiscal year preceding such last fiscal year.
The renewal fee is $100.00. The payment must be made by check or money order, payable to Georgia Secretary of State.
Paid Solicitor Reinstate
A paid solicitor may reinstate their registration if it has expired or lapsed or has been withdrawn.
Complete the S-100 Application Form. Download Form>>
A Paid Solicitor who has physical possession or legal control over any contributions that they collect must submit a $10,000.00 surety bond payable to the State of Georgia.
The Paid Solicitor must complete and get notarized the Paid Solicitor Bond Registration Form.
If the paid solicitor will have physical possession or legal control over any contributions they collected in or from this state on behalf of any charitable organization, the applicant Paid Solicitor shall attach to the application for registration as a paid solicitor a financial statement for the fiscal year of the application which ended within one year prior to the date of filing. If the fiscal year of the applicant has ended within 90 days prior to the date of filing, the financial statement may be dated as of the end of the fiscal year preceding such last fiscal year. Such financial statement shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. [O.C.G.A § 43-17-3(c)(3)]
The reinstatement fee is $250.00. The fee payment must be made by check or money order. Make the check or money order out to "Georgia Secretary of State".
Paid Solicitor Withdrawal
A Paid Solicitor must file a Withdrawal Form if they are withdrawing their registration.
Complete the PS-2 Withdrawal Form. Download Form>>
No fees required.
Paid Solicitor Amendment
A Paid Solicitor must keep their registration current with the Secretary of State by amending their registration.
To report any change(s) to the initial registration statement, the paid solicitor must amend their Form S-100 within thirty (30) days to reflect such change(s).
Amendments include, but are not limited to, changes in information for the organization and its control person(s), a change of name, address, principals, state of incorporation, or other changes which may materially affect the business of the paid solicitor. Please refer to O.C.G.A. §43-17-3(c)(7) for information that requires an amendment filing.
Complete the S-100 form within 30 days of the change. Download Form>>
Complete only the section(s) of the form to be amended, along with the form's execution page.
Amendments adopted to the paid solicitor's registration statement must be verified and signed by a registered control person of the organization.
Amendment fees are $15.
Paid Solicitor Ongoing Filings
Prior to the commencement of each solicitation campaign, the paid solicitor must file with the Secretary of State a solicitation notice (Form S200) and a $15.00 filing fee, along with a copy of the contract which states the respective obligations of the paid solicitor and charitable organization and states the amount of compensation that the paid solicitor will receive. [O.C.G.A. 43-17-3(e)(1)]
Within 90 days after a solicitation campaign ends and on the anniversary of the beginning of a campaign that lasts more than a year, the paid solicitor must file, with both the charitable organization and the Secretary of State, an accounting of all contributions collected and expenses paid. The accounting will be made on forms provided by the Secretary of State (Form S300) and shall be retained by the charitable organization for not less than three years. [O.C.G.A. 43-17-3(g)]
Paid solicitors which have physical possession or legal control over any contributions that it collects must attach to the paid solicitor application a $10,000.00 surety bond payable to the State of Georgia. In lieu of a surety bond, the Secretary of State will accept a certificate of deposit or letter of credit evidencing a deposit with a financial institution in the amount of $10,000.00 payable to the applicant and assigned to the Secretary of State. Such Deposits shall be held for the benefit of all persons to whom the applicant is liable for damages for a period of two years after the applicant's registration has expired or been revoked. The deposit shall be held at the expense of the applicant and shall not be released except upon application to and the written order of the Secretary of State. [O.C.G.A. 43-17-4]
$15.00 Solicitation Notice Fee
No Fee: Financial Report
No Fee: Bond
How to File
File Online
- Using our secure online filing platform GASeamlessGov,
- You will be prompted to pay the fee. This platform only accepts VISA and MASTERCARD.
File by Mail
- Complete the application.
- Make check or money order payable to “Georgia Secretary of State.”
- Enclose documents and payment in an envelope and mail to:
Charities Division
Office of the Georgia Secretary of State
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Suite 317 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Please be aware that documents sent via US Postal Services and courier services may have delays in processing. For quicker processing, filers are encouraged to use our secure online filing platform GASeamlessGov to submit filings.
Contact
Address
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Suite 317, West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone
Related Resources
- Online Resource Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
- Online Resource GuideStar
- Online Resource Charity Navigator
- Online Resource Charity Watch
- Online Resource IRS-Charities and Non-Profits
- Online Resource Search for Tax-Exempt Orgs
Contact the Charities Division
Address
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Suite 317, West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone