How to Start a Florida LLC

The state offers numerous business and tax incentives that make it even easier — and more lucrative — to start and run a business in Florida.

For example, the state's Brownfield Incentives offer bonuses and tax refunds to businesses that locate and create jobs (up to $2,500 per job created) on a Brownfield site.

For most people who want to start a business, creating a Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the easiest and fastest way. An LLC is an ideal business entity for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses because it offers the advantages and protections of larger corporations, but with simpler rules and regulations.

Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.

In this guide, you’ll find information on naming your LLC, getting a Registered Agent, the fees you’ll need to pay, business taxes and much more. We also cover what you'll need to register and file your LLC and how you'll interact with the Florida Secretary of State.

Step 1: Choose a Unique Business Name and Complete a State Business Search

You'll need a distinctive and original name for your LLC that’s not being used by any other business in the state. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try our Business Name Generator for ideas. You'll need to adhere to a few naming rules, which you can learn more about on our Florida Business Names page.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in Florida. To find out whether another company in the state is using your chosen business name, use our tool to do a Florida entity search. You can also carry out a name search on Sunbiz, the online portal provided by the Florida Division of Corporations.

Step 2: Provide an Official Business Address for your LLC

Every Florida LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building, or any other physical address. The address can be outside the state of Florida, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.

You may also be able to use a virtual mailbox for your business address. Bizee can provide you with a Florida virtual mailbox, where we'll receive your mail and scan it for your online review. This can be especially convenient if you run a home-based business and don't want your home address published as part of your public business record.

Step 3: Assign a Registered Agent

Someone who receives official correspondence and is responsible for filing reports with the Florida Secretary of State is known as a Registered Agent. Every Florida LLC is required to have a Registered Agent.

You can fill this position, assign another manager in your business or use a Registered Agent service. If your Florida Registered Agent is a person, they must have a physical street address in Florida and must be present during business hours to receive important documents on behalf of your company.

You'll appoint your Registered Agent when you file your Certificate of Formation to create your business, and they must formally accept the appointment by filing an Acceptance of Appointment and Consent to Serve as Registered Agent form with the Secretary of State.

All of Bizee’s business formation packages include Registered Agent service. It’s free for the first year and just $119 per year after that. You can also access a digital dashboard to view any document we've received on your behalf.

Step 4: File Your Articles of Organization with the Florida Secretary of State

Once you've gathered all the information for your business, you’ll file the Articles of Organization to officially create your Florida LLC.

You can file your Articles of Organization online on the Sunbiz.org website, mail in a form or have Bizee do it on your behalf for free. The State of Florida charges $125 to start an LLC: $100 to file your Articles of Organization and $25 to designate your Registered Agent.

You only need to file your Articles of Organization once, but every year after, you'll need to file an annual report for your LLC, which has its own fees. This is also something Bizee can remind you to do or do for you if you have us handle the paperwork.

Can I Expedite the Formation of My Business in Florida?

The State of Florida does not offer expedited filing for LLCs and will process online filings in the order in which they are received. However, Bizee can internally expedite your order to ensure the fastest delivery to the state for filing.

Annual Report

Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

You'll need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Florida LLC business formation process.

Step 6: Create an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement is a kind of “instruction manual” that outlines how you'll run your business. It includes how decisions are made, how the business is divided amongst members, and what happens if a member leaves the company.

Many states require that a company have an Operating Agreement in place — it isn’t legally required in Florida, but it’s a good idea to have one nonetheless.

Other Florida LLC Types

Series LLC

Florida does not allow the formation of Series LLCs.

Professional LLC

Some states, including Florida, allow certain occupations to form Professional LLCs. These types of businesses typically have special requirements and licensing.

Foreign LLC

If your business operates in another state and you want to expand into Florida — or vice versa — you’ll need to form a Foreign LLC.Learn more about Florida Foreign LLC requirements.

Learn more about Florida Foreign LLC requirements.

Helpful Resources from the State of Florida

More Information in This Guide

You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including: