Statesboro Georgia City Hall where business owners apply for occupation tax certificates through the City Clerk office

How to Get a Business License in Statesboro, Georgia

How to Get a Business License in Statesboro, Georgia

Starting a business in Statesboro means getting a license from either the city or the county—or both, depending on where you operate. This matters more than you might think. The process is straightforward once you know which office to contact, but the prerequisite paperwork is non-negotiable, and missing a step can slow everything down.

This guide covers the exact path: where to apply, what documents you need, what it costs, and how to avoid the most common delays.

City vs. County: Which Do You Need?

Statesboro and Bulloch County are separate licensing jurisdictions. Your location determines which one handles your application.

If your business operates within Statesboro city limits, you apply through the City of Statesboro Tax & License Office. This includes most commercial areas around Georgia Southern University, along US-301 through downtown, and the main commercial corridors. The city handles your Occupation Tax Certificate, alcohol licenses (if applicable), and related permits.

If your business is in unincorporated Bulloch County—the area outside the city—you apply through the Bulloch County Development Department instead. The county issues its own Occupation Tax Certificate, and the process is parallel to the city’s but separate.

If you’re unsure, it’s common. Many commercial areas around the university and along US-301 are within city limits, but areas further out—particularly south and west of town—may be unincorporated county. Call the City of Statesboro at (912) 764-5468 and give them your street address. They’ll tell you in 30 seconds which jurisdiction you fall under.

If your business operates in both jurisdictions—say, you have a warehouse in the county and a storefront in the city—you need both certificates. Uncommon, but it happens.

The Prerequisite Chain

Before you walk into the Tax & License Office or Development Department, you need five things completed. The order matters because each builds on the last.

Step 1: Form your business entity. If you’re starting an LLC (the most common structure for small businesses in Georgia), file your Articles of Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State. Cost: $100 online at ecorp.sos.ga.gov. Processing takes 5–12 business days for standard filing. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your filing number. Save it.

Step 2: Get your EIN. Apply for an Employer Identification Number from the IRS, even if you have no employees yet. It’s free and instant. Go to irs.gov/ein, select “Apply Online,” and follow the steps. You’ll get your number immediately. Print or screenshot it. You’ll need this for the next steps.

Step 3: Register at the Georgia Tax Center. Visit gtc.dor.ga.gov and create an account. Register for sales tax (you’ll need this even if you think you won’t charge sales tax initially—better to have it and not use it than to need it and not have it). Also register for employer withholding if you plan to hire employees. This is where Georgia’s Department of Revenue tracks your business for tax purposes.

Step 4: Prepare your E-Verify and SAVE affidavits. These are mandatory for any business license application in Georgia, no exceptions.

The E-Verify Affidavit (required under O.C.G.A. § 36-60-6) confirms your business’s E-Verify status. If you have 11 or more employees, you must be registered for E-Verify and provide your user number. If you have fewer than 10 employees, you file an exemption affidavit stating that you’re exempt. Either way, you sign under penalty of perjury.

The SAVE Affidavit (O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1) is more involved. You’re verifying that you have lawful presence in the United States. You’ll need to produce a Secure and Verifiable Document—a driver’s license, passport, or other state-issued ID—and have the affidavit notarized. This is not optional, and it’s not a formality. Notarization is required.

You can get both affidavits from the city or county office when you apply, but it’s faster to call ahead and ask them to email you templates so you can prepare them in advance. Bring them notarized to your appointment.

Step 5: Apply for your Occupation Tax Certificate. Once the above is done, you’re ready for the actual license application. The specifics depend on whether you’re applying through the city or county.

Applying Through the City of Statesboro

The City of Statesboro Tax & License Office is located at 50 East Main Street, Statesboro, GA 30458. Phone: (912) 764-5468. This is part of the City Clerk’s Office.

The Tax Clerk handles Occupation Tax Certificates (the main license you need to legally operate), alcohol licenses (if you serve or sell alcohol), Taxi Driver Permits, and Special Event Permits. For most small businesses, you’re here for the Occupation Tax Certificate.

What it costs. The city charges a flat fee based on your number of employees. The exact dollar amounts aren’t published online in an easily scannable way, so call (912) 764-5468 and ask for the current fee schedule. Fees change occasionally, and the Tax Clerk will give you the exact amount for your employee count. Bring a check or be prepared to pay by card.

What you need to bring:

  • Your completed E-Verify Affidavit (signed, notarized if required)
  • Your completed SAVE Affidavit (notarized)
  • Your business entity documentation (the filing confirmation from the Secretary of State)
  • Your EIN letter from the IRS
  • Your business name and description of what you do
  • The application form (available at statesboroga.gov or in person at City Hall)

Professional practitioners. If you’re a state-licensed professional—a lawyer, accountant, doctor, dentist, realtor, engineer, or other credentialed practitioner—you have an option. Instead of paying the standard occupation tax (which varies by employee count), you can elect to pay a flat $400 per practitioner under O.C.G.A. § 48-13-9(c). This is often much cheaper. If this applies to you, mention it when you call (912) 764-5468 to confirm your fee.

Timeline. Most applications are approved same-day or within 1–2 business days if everything is complete. If something is missing, they’ll call you.

Applying Through Bulloch County

The Bulloch County Development Department is located at 115 North Main Street, Statesboro, GA 30458. This is where you apply if your business is in unincorporated Bulloch County.

All commercial and residential businesses operating in unincorporated county territory must obtain an annual Occupation Tax Certificate. The county’s fee structure is also based on the number of employees—a flat fee, not a percentage of gross receipts. Like the city, the exact amounts vary and are updated periodically, so call the Development Department directly for current pricing.

The application process mirrors the city’s: you’ll submit your E-Verify Affidavit, SAVE Affidavit (notarized), business entity documentation, EIN, and completed application form. The Development Department will advise you on their specific form when you contact them.

Payment. Once your certificate is issued, you can pay occupation tax renewals through the county’s online portal at bullochcounty.net. This is useful for future years—you won’t have to mail a check or visit in person every time.

Alcohol Licensing

If you plan to serve or sell alcohol—beer, wine, or liquor—understand that your Occupation Tax Certificate and your alcohol license are two separate things. Getting one does not get you the other.

Alcohol licenses are issued by the City Tax Clerk if your business is within Statesboro city limits. If you’re in the county, alcohol licensing rules may differ; contact the Bulloch County Development Department for guidance.

An alcohol license requires a separate application, additional fees, and compliance with Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division requirements. You’ll also need to comply with distance restrictions: off-premises consumption licenses (like bottle shops) typically cannot be within a certain distance of schools or churches. Georgia Southern University’s campus may trigger additional restrictions depending on your location.

Don’t assume your occupational tax covers alcohol sales. It doesn’t. Apply separately, and do it before your opening day if alcohol is part of your business model.

Renewal and Compliance

Your Occupation Tax Certificate is annual. It’s not a one-time license—you renew it every year.

Renewal deadline. Certificates are typically issued on a calendar-year basis. Mark your calendar to renew before the deadline. Late renewal carries a penalty, and letting it lapse long enough can result in administrative action against your business.

What stays the same. Your E-Verify Affidavit and SAVE Affidavit requirements don’t go away at renewal. You’ll need to update and resubmit them each year, or at minimum confirm that your information hasn’t changed. Have them ready when you renew.

Display your certificate. Once issued, post it visibly at your place of business. Inspectors and customers expect to see it.

Resources. The Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce (website: statesboro-chamber.org) is a valuable resource for new business owners—networking, information on local events, connections with other entrepreneurs. But the Chamber is not a licensing body. Don’t confuse it with the government offices. For licensing questions, contact the Tax & License Office or Development Department directly.

You now have a map. The key is getting your prerequisites in order—Secretary of State filing, EIN, GTC registration, E-Verify and SAVE affidavits—before you apply for your Occupation Tax Certificate. Once those are done, the license itself is straightforward. Call (912) 764-5468 to confirm your jurisdiction and ask for the current fee schedule. Then submit your application. Most businesses are licensed within a week.