Florida LLC Filing Fees and Requirements
Forming an LLC in Florida costs $125 in state fees — $100 for the Articles of Organization plus $25 for the registered agent designation. Here's what you need to file, what it costs, and what to expect after formation.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Florida LLC filing fees at a glance
Filing fee: $125 total — $100 Articles of Organization + $25 registered agent designation
Processing time: Approximately 5 business days for online filings
State agency: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
Annual report due: January 1 – May 1 each year; $138.75 on time, $538.75 after May 1
State tax rate: No state income tax on LLC pass-through income; Florida corporate income tax applies only if the LLC elects C Corporation tax treatment
Florida LLC filing fees and requirements
Forming an LLC in Florida costs $125 in required state fees: $100 to file your Articles of Organization and $25 for the registered agent designation. Both are paid to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations — known as Sunbiz — at the time of filing. There are no expedited processing fees because Florida doesn't offer a rush option; online filings are typically approved within about 5 business days.
How much does it cost to form a Florida LLC?
The required state fees to form a Florida LLC total $125. That breaks down into 2 line items: a $100 Articles of Organization filing fee and a $25 registered agent designation fee. Both are due at the time you file with the Division of Corporations.
There's one optional fee worth knowing about: a $30 certified copy fee if you want an official certified copy of your Articles of Organization from the state. It's not required to complete formation, but some banks and lenders ask for it when you open a business bank account or apply for financing.
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $100
- Registered agent designation fee: $25
- Certified copy (optional): $30
- Total required state fee: $125
Articles of Organization requirements
To form a Florida LLC, you file Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations. You can file online through Sunbiz at efile.sunbiz.org or mail a paper form (Form CR2E047) to the Division of Corporations in Tallahassee.
Your Articles of Organization must include your LLC's name — which must contain the words "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation like "LLC" or "L.L.C." — your principal business address, a mailing address, and the name and Florida street address of your registered agent. The registered agent must also sign an acceptance statement in the filing.
Online filing is the faster path. Paper filings go into the standard processing queue and take longer than the typical 5-business-day window for online submissions.
Registered agent requirement
Every Florida LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Florida — a P.O. box doesn't qualify. The registered agent receives official legal notices and service of process on behalf of your business.
Your registered agent can be an individual who lives in Florida or a business entity that has an active Florida filing and a Florida street address. Either way, the agent must sign an acceptance statement confirming they understand the obligations of the role. This acceptance is included in your Articles of Organization filing.
The registered agent requirement is one that catches people off guard — if your agent's address changes or they resign, you need to update the Division of Corporations right away to stay in good standing.
Florida annual report fees and deadlines
Florida LLCs must file an annual report each year to keep their records current with the Division of Corporations. The filing window opens January 1 and the deadline is May 1. File on time and the fee is $138.75. Miss the May 1 deadline and the total jumps to $538.75 — a $400 late fee added to the standard amount.
The annual report is filed through Sunbiz and can be paid by credit card, debit card, check, or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
Other fees and requirements
Beyond formation and the annual report, your Florida LLC may have additional requirements depending on how you run your business.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): Every LLC should get an EIN from the IRS. You'll need it to open a business bank account, file taxes, and pay employees. You can apply for free at irs.gov/ein.
- Business licenses and permits: Florida doesn't have a single statewide general business license, but many businesses need industry-specific or local licenses. Requirements vary by business type, location, and governing body.
- Operating agreement: Florida doesn't legally require an LLC operating agreement, but having one in writing protects how your business is run and how decisions get made — especially if you have multiple members.
- Foreign LLC registration: If your LLC is formed in another state but does business in Florida, you'll need to register as a foreign LLC with the Division of Corporations and pay a separate registration fee.
- Name reservation: Florida allows you to reserve an LLC name before filing. The name reservation fee is $25 and holds the name for 120 days.
FAQ
The required state fee to form a Florida LLC is $125 — $100 for the Articles of Organization and $25 for the registered agent designation, both paid to the Florida Division of Corporations at the time of filing. An optional certified copy costs an additional $30 if you need one.
The standard Florida LLC annual report fee is $138.75 when filed by the May 1 deadline. If you miss that deadline, a $400 late fee is added and the total becomes $538.75. The filing window opens January 1 each year, so you have 4 months to file before the late fee kicks in.
You file and pay the Florida LLC annual report through Sunbiz at sunbiz.org. The Division of Corporations accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and money orders. If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. The deadline is May 1 each year.
Florida charges $25 to reserve an LLC name before you file your Articles of Organization. A reservation holds the name for 120 days. It's not required — you can file your Articles of Organization directly without reserving the name first — but it's useful if you're not ready to file yet and want to lock in the name.
No. Florida doesn't offer an expedited or rush processing option for LLC formation. Online filings through Sunbiz are typically approved within about 5 business days, which is fast enough that the state hasn't created a paid rush tier. Paper filings take longer and go into the standard processing queue.
State fees go directly to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. If you form your LLC through Bizee, we collect the state fee at cost and pay it to the Division of Corporations on your behalf when we file your Articles of Organization. You're never charged more than the actual state fee.
Florida charges $50 to register a fictitious name — also called a DBA (doing business as). A fictitious name registration is separate from forming an LLC and is required if your business operates under a name different from its legal registered name. Registrations are filed with the Division of Corporations through Sunbiz.
It depends on your business type and location. Florida doesn't have a single statewide general business license, but many industries require state-level licenses through agencies like the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Local counties and cities may have their own permit requirements on top of that. A tax professional or licensing specialist can help you figure out exactly what your business needs.
