Section 14-9-102. Partnership name

   (a) The name of each limited partnership shall be as set forth in its certificate of limited partnership and:

   (1) Must contain the words "limited partnership" or the abbreviation "L.P.";

   (2) Must be distinguishable on the records of the Secretary of State from the name of any active limited partnership which is organized under this chapter or which has elected to adopt this chapter pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 14-9-1201; and any active foreign limited partnership having a certificate of authority in this state; and any corporation, professional corporation, or professional association on file with the Secretary of State pursuant to this title; and

   (3) May not contain any words indicating that the business is organized other than as a limited partnership.

(b) If by reason of paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section a name would otherwise be unavailable to a limited partnership which files with the Secretary of State under the provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 14-9-1201, such name shall nonetheless be available to such limited partnership, but such limited partnership shall be distinguished on the records of the Secretary of State by the Secretary of State's adding as necessary:

   (1) "(L.P.)" to the name of the partnership on its records; and

   (2) Adding to the name of such partnership on its records in parentheses the name of the county in which it was organized and, if necessary to distinguish multiple partnerships making such filings that were organized in the same county, by adding a numerical distinction to the county name. Such addition of a county name and numerical distinction to a limited partnership name by the Secretary of State shall be solely for the purpose of distinguishing limited partnerships on the files of the Secretary of State, shall not constitute a change in the name of the limited partnership, and shall have no effect whatsoever on the authority of the limited partnership to use its name.

(c) This chapter does not control the use of fictitious or trade names. Issuance of a name under this chapter means that the name is distinguishable for filing purposes on the records of the Secretary of State pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section. Issuance of a limited partnership name does not affect the commercial availability of the name.

Code 1981, § 14-9-102, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 1016, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 931, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 257, § 34.