In order to incorporate a new Captive Insurance Company in the State of Georgia, the applicant must follow these procedures.

  • Draft Articles of Incorporation (Corporate Charter)

    Articles of Incorporation (Corporate Charter) for a stock or mutual Captive must be signed by the incorporators and state the following pursuant to O.C.G.A. §33-14-4.

    • Stock Corporation
      • The name of the Captive (see O.C.G.A. §33-41-6 for requirements);  
      • Duration (i.e., perpetual v. limited);
      • Location of home office (must be in Georgia - include city or town and county);
      • Kinds of insurance the Captive is being formed to transact according to the definitions set forth in O.C.G.A. §33-7-1 et seq.;
      • Names and addresses of the incorporators;
        • Must have at least five incorporators
        • Incorporators must be 18 years old or older and be individuals of good moral character who have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude
        • At least 2/3 of the incorporators must be U.S. citizens and residents of Georgia
      • Number of directors;
        • Must have at least three directors
        • At least one director must be a Georgia resident
        • A majority of the directors must be U.S. citizens
      • Names and addresses of the initial directors and officers and their stated terms of office (must be no longer than one year);
      • A statement indicating that the authorized capital shall not be less than that required under the provisions of Chapter 41 of Title 33.
      • The number of shares the Captive is authorized to issue (without amending its Articles);
      • The par value of each share of stock;
        • At least one class must have a par value of at least $1.00 per share. However, after the Corporation has operated for three consecutive years, the par value of such shares may be reduced below $1.00 per share, but may not be reduced below a par value of 50 cent(s) ($.50) per share
        • Other classes of stock are authorized, but must have a stated par value, or be accounted for with a notional value, of at least one cent ($.01)
      • The extent, if any, to which shares of the Captive's stock shall be subject to assessment;
      • The number of shares subscribed, if any, by each incorporator;
      • The limitations, if any, on the Captive's indebtedness; and
      • Any additional provisions deemed appropriate by the Captive, so long as such provisions are not inconsistent with Georgia law.
    • Mutual Corporation
      • The name of the Captive (see O.C.G.A. §33-41-6 for requirements);  
      • Duration (i.e., perpetual v. limited);
      • Location of home office (must be in Georgia - include city or town and county);
      • Kinds of insurance the Captive is being formed to transact according to the definitions set forth in O.C.G.A. §33-7-1 et seq.;
      • Names and addresses of the incorporators;
        • Must have at least ten incorporators
        • Incorporators must be 18 years old or older and be individuals of good moral character who have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude
        • At least 2/3 of the incorporators must be U.S. citizens and residents of Georgia
      • Number of directors;
        • Must have at least three directors
        • At least one director must be a Georgia resident
        • A majority of the directors must be U.S. citizens
      • Names and addresses of the initial directors and officers and their stated terms of office (must be no longer than one year);
      • The maximum and minimum contingent liability of the Captive's members other than as to non-assessable policies for payment of losses and expenses incurred (liability may not be less than one nor more than six times the premium for the member’s policy at the annual premium rate for a term of one year);
      • The limitations, if any, on the Captive's indebtedness; and
      • Any additional provisions deemed appropriate by the Captive, so long as such provisions are not inconsistent with Georgia law.

  • File All Required Application Fees, Forms, and Documents With the Captive Insurance Division

    Once the incorporation documents are drafted, the following should be submitted to the Captive Insurance Division with an application for a Certificate of Authority and all accompanying documents:

    • 2 copies of the Proposed Articles of Incorporation (Corporate Charter) and any applicable exhibits
    • $100.00 filing fee
    • Please note that an application package will not be deemed complete and will not be reviewed until the Applicant has submitted all required materials. While an application is pending, it is the Applicant's responsibility to keep all required statements, documents, and materials current.
    • File all required application fees, forms, and documents with the Captive Insurance Division as outlined in the Application Checklist for Newly Forming Captive Insurance Company in order to establish a Corporate Charter (Articles of Incorporation) and apply for a Certificate of Authority. The application checklist is designed to help ensure the submittal of complete applications; it must be cross-referenced and included with the application package.
    • Applicants can click here to access and view all the forms that must be submitted to the Captive Insurance Division when redomesticating an existing captive insurance company.

  • Send a Hard Copy of the Application Package to the Captive Insurance Division

    A hard copy of the application package must be submitted to the Division for review via mail or courier. All application packages must include the cross-referenced application checklist and all required materials listed in the application checklist. Please note that the addresses for delivery via mail versus overnight or courier are different.

    • Standard Mail:
      Georgia Insurance Department
      ATTN: Director, Captive Insurance Division
      P.O. Box 935138
      Atlanta, GA 31193-5138
       
    • Overnight or Courier:
      Wells Fargo
      Georgia Insurance Department
      ATTN: Director, Captive Insurance Division
      Lockbox # 935138
      3585 Atlanta Ave
      Hapeville, GA 30354

  • Next Steps

    • After the application package is deemed complete and the Captive Insurance Division begins its review, the Applicant may be required to submit additional information as deemed appropriate by the Division.
    • The Captive Insurance Division will either approve or disapprove the applicant's Proposed Articles of Incorporation (Corporate Charter) within 45 days of receipt. If approved, the Commissioner will issue a certificate granting such approval and the Captive Insurance Division will then coordinate with the Georgia Secretary of State's office, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 33-14-1 et seq., regarding the incorporation of the new Captive and the issuance of a Certificate of Incorporation.
      • Please Note: a Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office is not the same as a Certificate of Authority to transact the business of insurance issued by the Department. The Captive applicant may not transact the business of insurance until it receives a Certificate of Authority from the Department.