A Florida LLC is one of the most simple, cost-effective, and quick business structures to form. Even so, navigating the formation process can seem daunting without clear guidance and an actionable plan.
In this How to Start an LLC in Florida guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to form your LLC, from the steps you’ll need to take to get started to maintaining your structure.
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Florida LLC
In order to form an LLC in Florida, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
- Name Your Florida LLC
- Pick a Florida Registered Agent
- Submit your Articles of Organization
- Create a Florida LLC Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
- File Your BOI Report
In the sections below, we’ve broken down each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Name Your Florida LLC
The first thing you’ll need to do before getting started is picking the right name for your LLC. This is important because your business’s name should represent your brand and create a strong first impression.
In Florida, all LLC names need to abide by the following statutory guidelines in order to be accepted by the Department of State:
- Must contain either the term “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “L.L.C.” or “LLC”)
- Must be distinguishable from all other entity filings on record with the Florida Department of State (with the exception of fictitious names, general partnership registrations, and limited liability partnership statements). For the purposes of being considered “distinguishable”, it’s not acceptable to simply add:
- A suffix
- The words “the” or “a”
- The word “and” or “&”
- The same words in their singular, plural, or possessive forms
- Extra punctuation
- Cannot suggest that your LLC is organized for a purpose other than a purpose authorized in its articles of organization
- Cannot imply a connection between your LLC and a body of the state/federal government, corporation, or any other legally chartered US entity
To read more about these naming guidelines, you’ll need to refer to Florida Statutes Chapter 605, Section 0112.
Keep in mind that even though picking an LLC name in itself has no cost, there are certain fees that can be associated with the overall process.
Reserve an LLC Name
If you’re not yet ready to launch your business and still need a little more time, you can choose to reserve your desired LLC name for later. This is done by submitting a letter to the Secretary of State ($25 fee) — which keeps anyone from being able to take the name you plan to use for 120 days.
Since this 120-day period is non-renewable, you’ll have to legally form your LLC in Florida in order to ensure it’s safeguarded any longer than this.
Note: Before deciding to register a name for your LLC, we recommend checking that it’s actually available by using the Sunbiz Florida Entity Name Search tool.
Register a DBA Name
Another potential cost associated with naming your LLC is the “doing business as” (or DBA) name — known as a fictitious name in Florida. This is essentially a nickname that you can choose to register for your business to operate under — particularly if you’re not content with your LLC’s legal name.
Registering a DBA name can be done by filing an Application for Registration of Fictitious Name with the Department of State and paying a $50 fee.
Note: In addition to submitting this application, you must also cover the expense of publishing a notice of your fictitious name in a local newspaper that’s located within your business’s county (in accordance with FL Stat. § 865.09.).
Buy a Domain Name
Finally, you’ll want to focus on securing a good domain name (which is your website’s URL address) for your business. For this, try to focus on choosing one that’s easy for customers to remember, relevant to your business, and accurately reflects your brand.
After confirming the domain name you want to use is actually available, you can purchase it through a trusted registrar.
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Step 2: Pick a Registered Agent
The next step you’ll need to take toward forming your LLC is to pick a registered agent (RA).
This is an individual or business entity that accepts legal correspondence on behalf of your business, such as service of process, notice of lawsuits, and official government communications; note that you’ll be required to continuously maintain one as long as your LLC is active.
Under Florida Statutes Chapter 607 Section 0501, your LLC’s registered agent can be any individual or domestic/foreign entity allowed to do business in the state, as long as it meets the following requirements:
- Have a physical address located within Florida
- Be available to receive service of process during normal business hours
Once you’ve appointed a registered agent for your Florida LLC, this individual or entity will be required to submit a written statement to the Florida Division of Corporations.
This must contain an acknowledgement of the agent’s understanding and consent to this role’s duties, which is usually included as part of Article III of your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
Depending on how you choose to file your Articles of Organization later on, this statement will need to follow certain requirements.
Typically, mailing filings require this statement to be physically signed by the registered agent, while online filings require the registered agent to either enter their full name or grant you explicit authorization to do so.
Keep in mind that you’ll be able to act as your own registered agent if you’re looking to save money — though we don’t typically recommend this as you’re much more likely to suffer fines and penalties due to non-compliance than if you just hire an affordable professional service.
On top of this, you’ll lose any anonymity your LLC would have given you since your name, address, and contact information will appear on your Articles of Organization (which is publicly available).
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Step 3: Submit Your Articles of Organization
In Florida, the Articles of Organization is the filing document that you’ll need to submit with the Department of State in order to officially register your LLC (this is also referred to as the Certificate of Formation in other states).
It costs $100 to submit this document as both a domestic and foreign LLC; the following information is required in order to complete it:
- The legal name you wish to register for your LLC
- The address of your LLC’s principal place of business
- Your LLC’s mailing address (if different)
- Your registered agent’s name, address, and signature
- The personal information of all your LLC’s managers (e.g., their names and addresses)
- The date your LLC’s registration will become effective
In the sections below, we’ve detailed the main ways of submitting your Florida LLC Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State.
Online Filings
We typically recommend submitting your LLC’s Articles of Organization online through the Florida Department of State Sunbiz Website as it’s the quickest and most efficient way to complete this step.
It’s also the cheapest submission option as there are no additional fees associated with filing your Articles of Organization.
Mail Filings
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to submit a paper application, you can do so by downloading and filling out your Articles of Organization by hand.
Once completed, you’ll be ready to mail this document to the following address:
New Filing Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Note: Submitting your Articles of Organization by mail incurs an additional fee of $25 on top of the base filing fee of $100.
Step 4: Create a Florida LLC Operating Agreement
Once this is completed, the next step you’ll need to take is to create an operating agreement.
This is an internal document that clearly outlines the ownership and management structure of a company in order to reduce potential future conflict.
While this document isn’t legally mandated in Florida, all LLCs are recommended to have one as it can help maintain both: smooth operations and your LLC’s corporate veil.
A number of companies provide drafting services for operating agreements online, typically for a fee of around a few hundred dollars. However, it’s quite easy to sort this out by yourself if you want to save money, and you can even find a number of free templates online to help with this.
Step 5: Get an EIN
Even though it’s not a legal requirement (unless your LLC has employees or multiple members), all Florida LLCs will need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
This is a free, nine-digit number used by the IRS to identify your business and keep track of its tax reporting — much like a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals.
You’ll also need an EIN to be able to:
- Hire employees
- Open a business bank account
- Apply for some business licenses/permits
- Establish a line of credit
On top of this, using an EIN instead of a Social Security Number (SSN) helps to protect your personal information and safeguard your anonymity as the business owner of your LLC.
You can quickly apply for an EIN for your LLC online through the IRS website. You’re also able to submit a paper application using Form SS-4 either via fax to (855) 641-6935, or by mailing it to the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t already have an SSN, it’s not necessary to have one in order to apply for an EIN — instead, you can just leave Section 7b of the application blank and call the IRS on (267) 941-1099.
Step 6: File a BOI Report
Starting January 2024, the vast majority of LLC owners will be required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
This is part of an initiative by the U.S. government to stop individuals and entities engaging in illegal or unethical activities from being able to conceal this using “opaque ownership structures”, like shell companies, to hide their true identities.
Existing LLCs will be able to file this report anytime between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while new LLCs will have up to 90 days after the date they were initially formed to do so (30 days for LLCs formed after the start of 2025).
Keep in mind that failure to file your LLC’s BOI report on time can result in exorbitantly high fines (i.e., $591 per day) or even jail time (up to two years).
Note: Not every LLC owner is required to file a BOI report. For example, companies with more than 20 full-time employees, accounting firms, and banks are exempt. For a full list of filing exemptions, you can have a look at FinCEN’s website.
How to Maintain Your Florida LLC
In order to keep operating legally in the state of Florida, you’ll need to make sure to continue to meet your Annual Report filing requirements.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to complete this step, as we’ve detailed all the information you’ll need to know in the section below.
File an Annual Report
To keep your Florida LLC active, you’ll need to file an annual report with the Florida Division of Corporations and pay a $138.75 filing fee at any time between January 1 and May 1 each year.
This report ensures the state has updated information about your business, including changes to its legal name, DBA name registrations, registered agent address, and other key details.
To submit your annual report, you’ll need to head over to Florida’s Annual Report-Sunbiz page — where you’ll also be able to find more detailed guidance regarding how to complete this step.
Note: You’ll be required to pay a late filing fee of $400 if you miss the annual report filing deadline and file by the third Friday of September. Any submissions made after this date will result in the LLC being dissolved.
Florida vs Other States
When it comes to selecting a state in which to form an LLC, Florida is a popular choice among startups for a number of reasons.
For many new business owners, the most attractive aspect of Florida is its lenient taxation structure. With no personal income or payroll taxes and a flat corporate tax rate of 5.50%, this state is ideal for businesses looking to reduce their tax burden and maximize profits.
On top of this, the state is home to one of the largest and most qualified workforces in the US due its internationally-recognized public university system.
Finally, the Florida LLC registration fee is fairly low ($100) — especially compared to other popular choices such as Delaware ($150) and Texas ($300) — which is particularly appealing to small business owners just starting out.
Regardless, keep in mind that the best state to form your LLC is almost always the state that you will be operating in; this is because otherwise you’ll likely be required to register as a foreign LLC in your home state, meaning that you’ll need to pay registration and maintenance fees twice.
Recommended: More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a specialized LLC formation service in order to save time and avoid potential penalties.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Florida Department of State Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Division of Corporations – New Filing Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Physical Address:
Division of Corporations – New Filing Section
The Centre of Tallahassee
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 180
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact Information:
Email: NewFilingsCorpHelp@DOS.MyFlorida.com
Phone: (850) 245-6052
How to Start an LLC in Florida FAQ
How much does a Florida llc cost?
It will cost you at least $125 to form a Florida LLC, which is the minimum amount you’ll need to pay in order to file your Articles of Organization and appoint a registered agent.
For a full breakdown of the different costs you may face while getting your Florida business started (e.g., obtaining a business license), check out our Florida LLC Cost guide.
What are the requirements for an LLC in Florida?
To form an LLC in Florida, you must file Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State, pay the required filing fee and designate a registered agent with a Florida address. It’s also recommended to create an operating agreement, though it’s not mandatory.
You can read about these requirements in more detail in our How to Start an LLC guide.
What are the benefits of a Florida LLC?
A Florida LLC provides limited liability protection for its owners, flexible management structures, and pass-through taxation, which avoids double taxation. Additionally, Florida’s tax advantages, with no personal income or payroll taxes, makes it a cost-effective state for businesses.
For more information on these benefits, you can check out our guide on How to Form an LLC in Florida.
Do LLCs pay taxes in Florida?
LLCs in Florida are generally not subject to state income tax at the entity level, as profits are passed through to the owners and there’s no personal income tax in this state. However, LLCs that elect to be taxed as corporations must pay the state’s 5.50% corporate income tax.
Additionally, LLCs may be subject to sales tax, property tax, and other local taxes depending on their business activities.