How to Form a Florida LLC

You need to choose a name for your LLC, and it needs to meet Florida’s naming requirements:

• It must include the words “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
• It must be distinguishable from any name used by an active business in Florida. A Florida business search through the Florida Department of State’s Sunbiz website can help determine whether the name you want is already in use.
• It must not contain restricted words, including anything suggesting affiliation with a government agency (FBI or CIA, for example). Likewise, some professions are restricted to businesses who provide additional documentation.

For all the rules related to naming a business entity, check out Florida state statute Title XXXVI 605.0112.

All limited liability companies formed in Florida must appoint a Florida registered agent per Title XXXVI 605.0113 of the Florida state statutes. You must disclose your registered agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.

Your registered agent must be at least 18 years old, maintain a physical street address within the state, and be available to accept certified business mail and service of process during regular business hours.

Hiring a registered agent service guarantees that your business mail and legal documents are always received, even when you’re out of the office or on vacation.

Our registered agent service is free for one year when you hire us to register your LLC. Plus, you’ll have instant access to pre-signed Articles of Organization in your online account listing our Florida business address for your principal office and mailing address. Using our address helps keep your address private, which comes in handy if you work from a home office. Our service also includes a limited mail forwarding option (up to 3 pieces of non-state mail forwarded to you each year, free).

Florida law requires you to file Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations to form your LLC. The Division of Corporations charges a $125 filing fee to process this document, which includes $100 to file with the state and a $25 registered agent fee. Your Articles of Organization can be filed online through SunBiz or by mail, fax, or even hand-delivery.

You must provide the following information on your Articles:

• Your LLC’s name
• Your LLC’s street and mailing address
• Your Florida registered agent’s name, street address, and signature
• The names and addresses of all persons authorized to manage and control the LLC—this includes members (owners) and managers
• The effective date of your LLC (up to 5 days prior to your filing and up to 90 days after)
• The signature of an authorized person

The state will issue you an official certificate once your paperwork has been approved.

An operating agreement provides detailed information about how to run your LLC. This document explains who owns what, breaks down how and when profits and losses are distributed, describes the management structure, and outlines how to handle administrative issues like adding or removing members (owners).

While Florida doesn’t legally require that your LLC execute an operating agreement—you don’t need to file it with any government agency—having one is a sound business decision. An LLC allows you to be flexible and skip some of the corporate formalities, but it doesn’t hurt to have some ground rules. Plus, creating a shared understanding between members when you start your business can help you avoid legal complications down the line.

Not sure how to write an operating agreement? When you hire us, we’ll give you a free template for operating agreements. Customize it as much as you need for your business.

Your EIN acts like your LLC’s social security number. An EIN identifies your LLC when filing business taxes, and it’s a must if you have multi-member LLC (more than one owner), plan to hire employees, or want to file taxes under an alternative filing election, such as S-Corp. You’ll probably also need one to open business bank accounts or to apply for licenses and permits. You can apply for an EIN online with the IRS at no cost.

If you’re the owner of a single-member LLC, you can technically use your social security number. We don’t recommend this though. It risks compromising your limited liability status by failing to separate you as an individual from your business.

Florida LLCs are legally required to have a bank account in the business’s name. Having a dedicated business bank account makes bookkeeping easier and keeps your business finances separate from your personal finances.

When shopping for an account, you’ll want to look for banking institutions that offer low-fee checking accounts and high-interest savings accounts. If you think you’ll need funding for your LLC, low-interest business loans are also a plus.

Whether or not you’ll need an business licenses or permits depends on your industry, where your business is located, and other factors. License and permit requirements and costs vary. For example, the requirements to get a liquor license are very different from those for a medical license.

You can see what licenses or permits your business might need at the Florida Department of State Website.

An LLC’s Florida Annual Report comes due each year between January 1st and May 1st. You can only file it online, and it costs $138.75 to file. If your report is filed after May 1st, Florida charges a $400 late fee.

The first report must be filed in the year following formation. For example, if you form your LLC in June of 2025, your first annual report is due in 2026.

When you hire Florida Registered Agent LLC, you can use our business address in place of yours on your annual reports each year. If you’re enrolled in our compliance service, we’ll file your annual report automatically for just $100 plus state fees. If you’re filing by yourself, we’ll send timely compliance reminders. Either way, we’ll do our best to help you avoid that late fee!