Filed with
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
Document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Florida LLC
Florida LLC name checker →The name must contain "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC". It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Florida register.
Check it against Florida's naming rules with our name checker before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Florida, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Articles of Organization
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) →The Articles of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Florida operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Florida business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Florida requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Florida sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Florida LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →Florida LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and May 1 each year.
The first one is due between January 1 and May 1 of the year after the Articles of Organization take effect.
No separate state entity tax on a default LLC; an LLC classified as a corporation for federal and Florida income tax purposes must file the Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Return (Form F-1120) each year
Worth knowing in Florida
- Annual Reports are filed online at sunbiz.org; a late fee applies to reports filed after May 1.
- An LLC that does not file its Annual Report is subject to administrative dissolution and cannot maintain or defend a lawsuit in a Florida court until it files.
- The registered agent must have a Florida street address matching the registered office.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and pay the state fee, act as your Florida registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Florida?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Florida, and file a Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Florida?
Florida charges a filing fee for the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399, with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. See our Florida LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Florida LLC have to file an annual report?
Florida LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and May 1 each year. The first one is due between January 1 and May 1 of the year after the Articles of Organization take effect.
What is the Articles of Organization?
The document filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Florida, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Florida?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Florida and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
