Brunswick Georgia City Hall where business owners apply for occupation tax certificates

How to Get a Business License in Brunswick, Georgia

How to Get a Business License in Brunswick, Georgia

If you’re opening a business in Brunswick, you need an occupation tax certificate. But here’s what trips up most new owners: you might not actually be applying through the City of Brunswick. Your address might say Brunswick, but your business could be sitting in unincorporated Glynn County—and that means a completely different application process, a different office, and different requirements.

This matters because Brunswick’s jurisdiction doesn’t follow the city limits most people assume. The port area, the corridor along US-17 toward the islands, and land near FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers)—all have Brunswick addresses, but they’re unincorporated Glynn County. File with the wrong office and you’ll waste weeks.

This guide tells you exactly which office to use, what documents to bring, what it costs, and what happens after you’re licensed.

City vs. County: Which License Do You Need?

Your first job is figuring out your jurisdiction. This is non-negotiable and non-negotiable and it determines everything that follows.

If your business is within Brunswick city limits, you apply through the City of Brunswick Business License Department at City Hall. This covers downtown Brunswick, the historic district, and the residential neighborhoods immediately surrounding the urban core.

If your business is in unincorporated Glynn County, you apply through the Glynn County Licensing and Compliance Department. Unincorporated Glynn County includes vast areas that have Brunswick mailing addresses but fall outside the city’s municipal boundaries.

The second group is larger than most people realize. The commercial zones near the Port of Brunswick, the stretches of US-17 as you head toward St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, and the land around FLETC—these are all unincorporated Glynn County. So is much of the causeway corridor.

Your mailing address is not your jurisdiction. Just because your mail says “Brunswick, GA” doesn’t mean you’re in the City of Brunswick. Call both offices with your street address and they’ll tell you in under a minute which one has jurisdiction over your location. It’s faster than guessing.

If your business operates in both jurisdictions—for example, you run a tour company with an office in the city and also operate watercraft launching from county boat ramps—you may need both an occupation tax certificate from the city and a certificate from the county. This is rare but it happens. The offices will advise you during your initial conversation.

Start by calling one office with your address. They will either confirm they have jurisdiction or redirect you to the other office. You won’t regret the two-minute phone call.

The Prerequisite Chain

Before you walk into either office, you need to complete a specific sequence. Skip a step and you’ll be turned away or told to come back later. Georgia’s business licensing process has prerequisites.

Step 1: Form your business entity. If you’re starting an LLC—the most common structure—file your Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State at ecorp.sos.ga.gov. The fee is $100 online. Processing takes 5 to 12 business days standard, or pay $100 extra for 2-day processing, or $250 for same-day. You don’t need to reserve the name first; Georgia doesn’t require it. For a corporation, the fee and timeline are identical.

You’ll receive a confirmation number and eventual documentation. Keep this. You’ll need it when you apply for your occupation tax certificate.

Step 2: Get your EIN from the IRS. An Employer Identification Number is free and takes five minutes. Go to irs.gov/ein, select “Apply for an EIN Online,” and complete the form. You get your number instantly. If you’re a sole proprietor and won’t have employees, you technically don’t need this—you can use your Social Security number—but getting one anyway is smart. It separates your personal finances from your business finances from day one. You’ll need the EIN for the next step.

Step 3: Register at Georgia Tax Center. Visit gtc.dor.ga.gov and register for sales tax and employer withholding. This is separate from your occupation tax certificate; it’s your state tax registration. You’ll need your EIN. The registration is free. You’re doing this because Georgia requires it, and because the occupation tax office will ask if you’ve done it.

Step 4: Prepare your E-Verify Affidavit and SAVE Affidavit. These are Georgia’s employment eligibility requirements, and they are mandatory. No affidavit, no license.

The E-Verify Affidavit confirms you’re registered with E-Verify (the federal employment verification system) or exempt from it. If you have 11 or more employees, you must register for E-Verify and provide your user number. If you have 10 or fewer employees, you file an exemption affidavit instead. This requirement is O.C.G.A. § 36-60-6.

The SAVE Affidavit (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) confirms you’ve verified your lawful presence in the United States. O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1 requires this. You’ll need a Secure and Verifiable Document—your driver’s license, passport, or similar—and the affidavit must be notarized. A notary public at your bank, a UPS Store, or a local title company can do this for $5–15. The affidavit forms are provided by the licensing office when you apply, or you can request them by phone.

Have both affidavits notarized and ready before you submit your application.

Step 5: Apply for your occupation tax certificate. You’re ready. Take your business entity documentation, your EIN, your affidavits, and your tax registration confirmation to the appropriate office. The next two sections walk you through exactly where to go and what to expect.

Applying Through the City of Brunswick

The City of Brunswick Business License Department is located at the Customs House, which also serves as City Hall.

Address: 601 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 267-5512
Hours: Call first to confirm, as municipal office hours sometimes shift seasonally.

The occupation tax in Brunswick is based on your number of employees and starts at $80 for a business with no employees. The exact fee depends on your business type and location within the city. Some zones have different rates. The office will calculate the fee based on your information when you apply.

Bring the following:

  • Your business entity documentation (Articles of Organization, or corporate charter)
  • Your EIN from the IRS
  • Your E-Verify Affidavit (notarized if required)
  • Your SAVE Affidavit (notarized)
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of your Georgia tax registration from the Tax Center
  • Your lease or deed if you’re renting or own the location

The staff will review your documents, calculate your fee, process your application, and issue your occupation tax certificate on the spot or within a few days. Ask for a printed certificate—this is what you display at your business location. It’s your proof of compliance.

The annual renewal deadline is February 1. Mark your calendar. Late renewals incur penalties. Renewal notices are typically mailed in January, but don’t wait for the notice—you’re responsible for meeting the deadline regardless.

Applying Through Glynn County

The Glynn County Licensing and Compliance Department handles all occupation tax registration for businesses in unincorporated Glynn County.

Address: 1725 Reynolds Street, Suite 116, Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 554-7120
Portal: Applications are processed through Glynn County’s OpenGov Portal. You can also apply in person.

Occupation tax registration is required for all businesses in unincorporated Glynn County. Like the city, your fee depends on your business structure and number of employees.

Glynn County uses a specific calculation for part-time employees. If you have part-time staff, their hours count toward your employee total using this formula: total hours worked divided by 40 equals the FTE (full-time equivalent) count. For example, if four employees work a combined 65 hours per week, that’s 65 ÷ 40 = 1.625 FTEs, which rounds to 2 employees for tax purposes. This matters because it affects your fee. Bring payroll records or projected schedules so the office can calculate your accurate FTE count.

Bring the same documentation as the city office:

  • Your business entity documentation
  • Your EIN
  • Your E-Verify Affidavit (notarized if required)
  • Your SAVE Affidavit (notarized)
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of your Georgia tax registration
  • Your lease or deed
  • Part-time employee schedules or payroll records if applicable

You can apply online through the OpenGov Portal or submit your application in person. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days. You’ll receive your occupation tax certificate by mail or can pick it up at the office.

Like the city, the annual renewal deadline in Glynn County is February 1. This date is slightly different from many other Georgia cities, which typically renew on January 31. Don’t assume you know the deadline for your county—confirm it. Late renewals carry penalties.

Display your certificate prominently at your place of business. It’s your legal proof that you’re licensed to operate.

Industry-Specific Considerations

Your occupation tax certificate is your baseline. Depending on what you do, you’ll need additional licenses or permits.

Tourism businesses in the Brunswick area—vacation rental properties, charter boat operations, tour operators—need to check with both the city or county licensing office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Watercraft-related businesses especially require state oversight. A charter boat operation, for instance, needs your occupation tax certificate, but also Coast Guard documentation, liability insurance, and state fishing licenses if applicable. Call the Georgia DNR at (770) 761-3030 with your specific business model and they’ll list every permit you need.

Food service businesses operating in Glynn County must pass a health inspection from the Glynn County Health Department before your occupation tax is finalized. Schedule this inspection before you submit your licensing application if possible. The Health Department is at (912) 554-7400. If you’re in the City of Brunswick, contact the Brunswick-Glynn County Health Department for city-specific requirements.

Alcohol sales—whether on-premise (bar, restaurant) or off-premise (liquor store, brewery)—require a separate alcohol license. This is not included in your occupation tax certificate. You need a license from the city or county, plus a separate license from the Georgia Department of Revenue, Alcohol & Tobacco Division. This process takes longer and costs more. Budget several weeks and budget several hundred dollars. Start this application immediately if alcohol is part of your business plan.

Port-related businesses—customs brokers, freight forwarders, cargo handlers—may need federal licensing or state port authority clearance in addition to your occupation tax certificate. The Port of Brunswick has specific regulations. Call the Port Authority at (912) 262-4400 to understand what applies to your operation.

Don’t assume your occupation tax certificate covers everything. Call the relevant regulatory agency for your industry. It takes ten minutes and saves you from discovering six weeks later that you’re operating without a required permit.

Renewal and Compliance

Your occupation tax certificate is not a one-time thing. It expires every year.

Both the City of Brunswick and Glynn County require annual renewal. The deadline for both is February 1. This is slightly different from many other Georgia cities and counties, which use January 31. Missing the February 1 deadline triggers penalties. Missing it by 60 days or more can result in administrative dissolution of your business certificate, meaning you’re no longer legally authorized to operate.

Renewal notices are typically mailed in January, but receiving a notice doesn’t obligate the city or county to remind you. You are responsible for meeting the deadline. If you move, change your mailing address with the licensing office immediately so you don’t miss the renewal notice.

Renew online if the jurisdiction offers it, or submit a renewal application in person with the same documentation you provided initially (updated if anything has changed—new employees, new location, etc.). Renewal fees are the same as initial registration fees.

Keep your certificate displayed at your place of business. Inspectors from the city or county periodically verify that licensed businesses are displaying their current certificates. A missing or expired certificate is a violation and can result in fines or closure.

You’re now licensed. You can legally operate your business in Brunswick or Glynn County. But stay on top of your February 1 renewal deadline every year. It’s the one date that matters most after you’ve opened.