How to Start an LLC in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

To start an LLC in Florida, file a Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and pay the filing fee (currently about $125). Florida requires an annual report (about $138.75) due by May 1 each year, with steep late penalties. You'll also appoint a registered agent, create an operating agreement, and get a free EIN from the IRS. Approval usually takes a few business days online. Florida has no state income tax and a fast online filing system, making it a popular place to form.

Fees and rules change, so the amounts below are approximate — always confirm the current figures on the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) website. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?

The main cost is the one-time Articles of Organization filing fee, currently around $125. Florida requires an annual report (about $138.75) due by May 1 each year, with steep late penalties. For a full breakdown of every possible LLC cost, from registered agents to publication, see how much an LLC costs.

How to start an LLC in Florida, step by step

1. Choose and check your LLC name. Your name must be unique in Florida and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Search the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) business database to confirm it's available, and grab the matching domain while you're at it.
2. Appoint a registered agent. Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal mail. You can be your own agent or hire a service; here's what a registered agent is and how to choose.
3. File your Articles of Organization. Submit the formation document to the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), online or by mail, and pay the roughly $125 fee. Approval typically takes a few business days online.
4. Create an operating agreement. This internal document sets out ownership and how the LLC is run. It isn't always filed with the state, but it's strongly recommended even for single-member LLCs.
5. Get an EIN from the IRS. This free federal tax ID lets you open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Learn what an EIN is and how to apply in minutes.
6. Handle licenses, permits, and taxes. Depending on your industry and city, you may need local business licenses and a seller's permit for sales tax. See how to register a business for the full sequence.

Ongoing requirements for a Florida LLC

Forming the LLC is a one-time step; staying in good standing is ongoing. Florida requires an annual report (about $138.75) due by May 1 each year, with steep late penalties. Missing a required filing can lead to late fees or administrative dissolution, so calendar every deadline the moment you form.

Tip: Open a dedicated business bank account as soon as your Florida LLC is approved and your EIN is issued. Keeping business and personal money separate is what actually preserves the liability protection an LLC provides.

Should you form your LLC in Florida or another state?

If you live and do business in Florida, forming here is almost always the right choice. Forming in a "cheaper" or more famous state usually backfires, because you'll still have to register as a foreign LLC in Florida anyway, which means paying two sets of fees and maintaining two registered agents. For the bigger picture, read what an LLC is and whether an LLC is right for you versus staying a sole proprietor.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an LLC cost in Florida?

The state filing fee is currently around $125 one time. Florida requires an annual report (about $138.75) due by May 1 each year, with steep late penalties. Confirm the current amounts with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), since fees change.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida?

Online filings are usually approved in a few business days online. Mail filings take longer, and some states offer paid expedited processing if you're in a hurry.

Do I need a registered agent for a Florida LLC?

Yes. Florida, like every state, requires an LLC to have a registered agent with a physical in-state address. You can serve as your own agent or hire a commercial service for privacy and reliability.

Keeping Florida's specific steps, fees, and deadlines straight is exactly what Scafflow is built for. It turns forming your LLC and everything after it into a personalized, ordered checklist across legal, finance, brand, website, and marketing, so nothing slips through the cracks.

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