LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Georgia vs Illinois: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Georgia and Illinois — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Georgia
Cheaper LLC
Georgia
Cheaper Divorce
Georgia
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Georgia vs Illinois

Georgia
Illinois

Filing Fee

$100 WIN
$150

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Annual Report

$50 WIN
$75

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$100 WIN
$150

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Georgia: Georgia's foreign qualification fee ($225) is more than double the domestic formation fee.

Illinois: Illinois processing time can be slow — up to 10 business days for standard filing.

Georgia: Atlanta's business ecosystem makes Georgia attractive for Southeast operations.

Illinois: Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.

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Small Claims Court: Georgia vs Illinois

Georgia
Illinois

Max Claim Limit

$15,000 WIN
$10,000

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$45 WIN
$56

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs WIN
5 yrs

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Georgia vs Illinois

Georgia
Illinois

Filing Fee

$200 WIN
$289

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$50 WIN
$60

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$50
$0 WIN

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Georgia vs Illinois

Georgia
Illinois

Acknowledgment

$2
$5

Jurat

$2
$5

RON Fee

—
$25
All Legal Costs in Georgia →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Illinois →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgia or Illinois cheaper to form an LLC?
Georgia is cheaper to form an LLC — $100 vs $150. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Georgia year-1 total is $100 vs Illinois at $150.
What is the LLC filing fee in Georgia vs Illinois?
The LLC filing fee is $100 in Georgia vs $150 in Illinois. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Georgia charges a $50 annual report fee and Illinois charges a $75 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Georgia or Illinois?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Georgia, form there — registering in Illinois and then foreign-qualifying in Georgia means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Georgia and Illinois?
Georgia has lower divorce filing fees — $200 vs $289. Both states also charge for service of process ($50 in Georgia, $60 in Illinois). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Georgia vs Illinois?
The small claims limit is $15,000 in Georgia vs $10,000 in Illinois. Georgia allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $45 in Georgia and $56 in Illinois.