Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Georgia Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration

   Required for businesses making retail sales of tangible personal property or of Georgia's enumerated taxable services. Register through the Georgia Tax Center; there is no fee.

   Official government source

   Free. Georgia charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax number through the Georgia Tax Center.·Register online at the Georgia Tax Center; the Department of Revenue emails the tax account number within about 15 minutes of submission.

   Free. Georgia charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax number through the Georgia Tax Center.

   Register online at the Georgia Tax Center; the Department of Revenue emails the tax account number within about 15 minutes of submission.

2. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

   Wedding planners in Georgia are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

   $400–$1,200/year·Same day (online quotes)

   $400–$1,200/year

   Same day (online quotes)

1. Atlanta Business License

   All businesses operating in Atlanta must obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate (commonly called a business license) from the City of Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue -- not a 'City Clerk's Office' (Atlanta's city government has no such licensing department). Wedding planners operating as sole proprietors, LLCs, or corporations need this certificate; it is renewed annually and the cost is an annual registration fee plus a gross-receipts- and employee-based tax, not a flat rate.

   Official government source

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)·1–3 weeks

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)

   1–3 weeks

2. DBA (Doing Business As) Registration

   If operating under a trade name (e.g., "Perfect Day Events" rather than your legal name), Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Sec. 10-1-490) requires registering the trade name with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the business operates - for Atlanta businesses, the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts, Records and Real Estate Services division. This is required before accepting payments under a business name.

   Official government source

   $175.00 filing fee (Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts)·Trade name applications are processed within four weeks

   $175.00 filing fee (Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts)

   Trade name applications are processed within four weeks

Official Sources

• City of Atlanta — Business Licensing
• Georgia Secretary of State
• IRS — Apply for EIN

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