License Fee Information
Georgia law requires annual license fees for all licensed child care programs. Bright from the Start will e-mail a notice to all licensed programs before their current license expires and will begin collecting license fees on November 1, for the 2025 calendar year.
Payment of the annual license fee is due by December 1,
2024. Paying online is quick and convenient.
Georgia law requires verification of lawful presence in the United States before a license can be issued. You cannot pay your license fee or receive your 2025 license until the verification of lawful presence requirements are completed. You can find Lawful Presence Information here.
Family providers must also complete the Disclosure Statement at www.decalkoala.com before the license fee can be paid.
The annual license fees are as follows:
| Facility Capacity |
Fee Amount |
Late Fee
(after 12/31/2024)
|
| 25 Children or less
|
$50
|
$25
|
| 26 to 50 Children
|
$100
|
$50
|
| 51 to 100 Children
|
$150
|
$75
|
| 101 to 200 Children
|
$200
|
$100
|
| More than 200 Children
|
$250
|
$125
|
Note: The law authorizes Bright from the Start to "impose a late fee of up to $250.00 for failure of an early care and education program to pay the annual fee for licensure within 30 days of due date as established by the department." See O.C.G.A. Section 20-1A-12(c)(7) and 591-1-1-.16(e) and 290-2-3-.04(1)(f). A late fee in the amount of half of the license fee for your child care program will be added to your fee amount after December 31,
2024, as shown in the above chart.
All current licenses expire December 31, 2024.
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If you pay the license fee with a credit card, Bright from the Start will e-mail your 2025 license certificate to the e-mail address on file as soon as the payment is processed.
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If you pay the license fee with an electronic check, Bright from the Start will e-mail the 2025 license certificate to you after 21 days.
Bright from the Start will continue to update you with additional information via e-mail and postings to our website, www.decal.ga.gov. It is critical that we have your current e-mail address because we communicate all information using the e-mail address we have on file for you. You can update your e-mail address at www.decalkoala.com.
Questions?
License fees: contact feepayment@decal.ga.gov
Affidavit/Affirmation: contact CCSAffidavit@decal.ga.gov
DECAL KOALA: www.decalkoala.com
Or call 404-657-5562