⭐ Key takeaways
- Florida LLC formation costs $125 in state fees + your service fee. Total typically $510 with our Basic Plan.
- You'll file the Articles of Organization online with the Florida Department of State. Processing takes 3–5 business days.
- A registered agent with a Florida street address is required — your home address works if you're a FL resident.
- Your EIN is free directly from the IRS. Don't pay anyone for it.
- Annual report ($138.75) is due May 1 every year — miss it and the state administratively dissolves your LLC.
Florida is one of the most popular states for LLC formation — no state income tax for pass-through entities, fast online filing, and a well-established state e-filing system that doesn't require any in-person visits. This guide is the full process, updated for 2026 filings.
If you'd rather skip the manual process, we'll handle the whole filing for $385 + state fee — flat-rate, no upsells.
1
Step 1
Choose a name for your Florida LLC
⏱️ ~10 min Your LLC name has to be unique in Florida — no other registered entity can already have it. It also has to include a designator like "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company".
Florida naming rules
- Must end in
LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company - Cannot include "Corp", "Inc", "Bank", "Insurance", or "Trust" (those imply a different entity type or regulated industry)
- Must be "distinguishable" from existing Florida entities — adding "The" or punctuation isn't enough
- Cannot include obscene or prohibited words
Check name availability
Use the Florida business name search on the Department of State's website. Search both the full name and key parts. If multiple similar names exist, your filing may be rejected. Our free name-check tool screens for the most common rejection reasons before you submit.
Screenshot: Florida business name search
Pro tip Reserve your name for 120 days for $25 if you're not ready to file yet. Useful when you want to lock the name while you finalize your operating agreement or wait on a partner's decision.
2
Step 2
Appoint a registered agent
⏱️ ~5 min A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. Florida requires every LLC to have one with a physical Florida street address (no P.O. boxes) and availability during business hours.
Your options
- Yourself — free, but your home address becomes public record. Not ideal if you work from home.
- A trusted friend or family member in Florida — free, but requires their consent and ongoing reliability.
- FilingFox registered agent service — included free for the first year, then $99/year. Privacy + reliability + auto-forwarding of any legal notices.
Important If your registered agent isn't available when the state sends a notice (annual report reminder, lawsuit service), you can lose your good standing within months. Pick someone who's actually reachable.
3
Step 3
File the Articles of Organization with the state
⏱️ ~25 min This is the official formation step. You're filing Form CR2E047 with the Florida Department of State.
What you'll need
Information checklist - LLC name (with designator)
- Principal business address (can be out of state)
- Registered agent name + Florida street address
- Names + addresses of all members or managers
- Optional: effective date (default = today)
- Credit/debit card or bank account for the $125 fee
Filing online (recommended)
- Go to the Florida Department of State's online LLC filing page
- Fill in the LLC details
- Pay the $125 filing fee + optional $30 for a certified copy + optional $5 for a Certificate of Status
- Submit. You'll get a confirmation email within minutes; approval comes 3–5 business days later
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $100 |
| Registered agent designation fee | $25 |
| Certified copy (optional) | $30 |
| Certificate of Status (optional) | $5 |
| Total (minimum required) | $125 |
Screenshot: Florida Articles of Organization form
4
Step 4
Create an Operating Agreement
⏱️ ~30 min Florida doesn't require an Operating Agreement — but you should still have one. It defines ownership percentages, profit distribution, decision-making rules, and what happens if a member leaves.
Without one, your LLC defaults to Florida's generic LLC statute rules — which may not match what you actually want.
Download our free Operating Agreement template — covers single-member and multi-member structures.
5
Step 5
Get an EIN from the IRS
⏱️ ~15 min An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your federal tax ID — required to open a business bank account, file taxes, or hire employees.
Apply free at irs.gov/businesses if you have an SSN or ITIN. Issued instantly online during business hours (Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm ET).
Never pay for an EIN The IRS issues it free. Anyone charging you for it directly (not as part of a formation package) is taking advantage of you.
6
Step 6
Open a business bank account
⏱️ ~30 min Keep business and personal finances separate to preserve your liability protection. To open a US business bank account you typically need:
- EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)
- Articles of Organization (the state-stamped copy)
- Operating Agreement
- Government-issued ID for each member
FilingFox helps you open accounts with our banking partners as part of every plan.
7
Step 7
File your Annual Report (every year by May 1)
⏱️ ~10 min This is the big ongoing compliance step. Every Florida LLC must file an annual report by May 1 of each year (starting the year AFTER formation). Fee: $138.75.
File online with the Florida Department of State. The form lets you update your registered agent and members.
Miss the deadline = $400 penalty Filing late (after May 1) costs $400 extra on top of the $138.75. If you don't file at all, the state administratively dissolves your LLC by September.
Set a calendar reminder April 1 every year. That gives you a one-month buffer to file before the deadline. Better: file it the same day you set the reminder.
Florida LLC FAQ
How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida?
Online filings with the Florida Department of State are typically processed in 3–5 business days. Paper filings can take 2–4 weeks. There's no official expedited option but online is much faster than mail.
Do I need to live in Florida to form a Florida LLC?
No. Florida allows non-residents (including non-US persons) to form LLCs. You only need a Florida-based registered agent.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, if you have a Florida street address and are available during normal business hours. Most founders prefer a service to keep their home address private.
Is there a Florida state income tax for LLCs?
No. Florida has no personal state income tax. Single-member LLCs default to pass-through taxation. Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships unless you elect S-Corp or C-Corp treatment.
What's the difference between members and managers?
Members own the LLC. Managers run it day-to-day. In a member-managed LLC (most common), all members run it. In a manager-managed LLC, members appoint specific managers (who may or may not be members).
