Last Updated on February 5, 2022
Costs to Form a Florida LLC
The LLC filing fee from the Department of State, Division of Corporations is $125, and approval of the LLC is typically between 5 – 10 business days when filing by mail or 1-2 business days when filing online.
To get started, either file with the Florida Department of State to file online or download the Florida LLC Articles of Organization.
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Step 1: Filing Information
Effective Date – You may list an effective date if you would like the Limited Liability Company’s existence to become effective on a date other than the date it is filed by the Florida Department of State. The effective date can be up to 5 business days prior to the date of submission or up to 90 days after the date of receipt.
Limited Liability Company Name
There are a few state requirements regarding the naming of an LLC. One is the entity designator. The legal name of the LLC must include one of the following words or abbreviations at the end of the business name:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.L.C.
The name of the LLC has to differ from other entity names in the state of Florida. Learn how to do an LLC business name search in Florida.
The use of some words in the LLC name is prohibited including those that may infer a federal, state, or municipal government agency. There are additional restrictions against certain using words in the name related to professions such as attorneys, locksmiths, banks, etc, unless additional paperwork is filed to be registered to provide such services.
If you plan to use a different name from the one that you register (perhaps you want to run multiple businesses under the LLC), you can use a fictitious business name, assumed name, or DBA (for Doing Business As name). To register a fictitious name, the Application for Registration of Fictitious Name, along with the $50 filing fee will need to be sent to the Florida Division of Corporations. Renewals will be needed every five years.
Step 2: Principal Place of Business
In this section, enter the street address, city, state, zip code, and country of the business’s initial principal office. This address can be the LLC’s physical address, or it can be the address where the business records are kept. You may not use a PO Box for the principal place of business.
If you prefer to use a different address than the principal place of business for correspondence from the Department of State, enter that address in the mailing address field. A PO Box is acceptable.
Step 3: Name and Address of Registered Agent
To have an LLC in Florida, a registered agent for service of process must be identified. The registered agent is either a Florida resident or an entity registered with the state of Florida. The registered agent must have a physical street address in the state (no P.O. Boxes are allowed) and they act as a central point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. on behalf of the LLC. Enter the registered agent’s name, address, and signature in the fields.
Step 4: Any Other Provision(s) – Optional (Purpose, Statements, etc.)
This is an optional section and not used by most LLCs. Here you would include a statement of purpose (what the business activities will be) or additional rules for the operation of the LLC.
Step 5: Correspondence Name and E-mail Address
The email in this field will be used by the Florida Department of State to send all correspondence, certified copies, and certificates of the status.
Step 6: Name and Address of Person(s) Authorized to Manage LLC
This section asks for the name and address of each manager or representative who is authorized to manage and control the company. There are three choices listed, but you are free to use any appropriate title. The listed title definitions include:
- (MGR) – The Manager is a person hired to perform the management functions of a manager-managed LLC. This person may or may not be a LLC member
- (AMBR) – The Authorized Member is an owner of the LLC
- (AP) – An Authorized Person is someone authorized to execute and file records on behalf of the LLC. Typically an attorney or accountant.
Step 7: Review
Review that all of the information has been entered correctly.
Step 8: Pay and File
Pay and file the Florida LLC Articles of Organization.
If mailing, send the form and a check or money order made payable to the Florida Department of State to:
Registration Section
Florida Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
If you have questions, contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
Address: 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone: 850-245-6051
Sunbiz website: http://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/