How to Form a LLC in Florida
The process for forming a limited liability company in Florida is very easy and straight forward.
- Step 1: Select a Name for your LLC
- Step 2: Create Articles of Organization
- Step 3: Pay Filing Fees
- Step 4: Create Operating Agreement (optional)
- Step 5: Apply for EIN Employer Identification Number (optional)
- Step 6: Open Bank Account (optional)
Naming Your LLC
The first thing you want to do is to make sure that your business name is not already taken. Sunbiz.org is the place to check for existing LLC's and Corporations http://www.sunbiz.org/search.html. This is part of Sunbiz and gives a list of companies in the state database.
You might also check on the city and county level at their respective offices. When picking a name please keep in mind that an LLC has to have “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” in the name of the business (ex. Bobs Work Shop, LLC).
One more thing to consider when you pick a name for your LLC is check for available web domain names. If you want to name your company: Bobs Work Shop, LLC then you might want a website with the address: www.bobsworkshop.com.
It would be a good Idea to check to see if that domain was available before you name your company. You can go to web servers like www.godaddy.com to check for domain name availability.
Create Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is basically the form you fill out to apply for an LLC.
This can be done by printing the form out and mailing it to the state or by filing electronically.
If you chose to file electronically then the process is very quick and only takes a few business days to be completed.
Form a Florida LLC Online
The easiest and fastest way to create a limited liability company in Florida is to file electronically online.
https://efile.sunbiz.org/llc_file.html
Form a Florida LLC by Mail
If you prefer to print the documents for forming a limited liability corporation company in Florida then you can download the forms here:
http://form.sunbiz.org/pdf/cr2e047.pdf
After completing the forms mail them to:
Division of Corporations Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327 Clifton Building
Tallahassee, FL 32314 2661 Executive Center Circle
(850) 245-6051
Florida LLC Filing Fees
$125.00 is the only amount you have to pay for filing a new LLC. This fee covers the filing fee for the LLC set-up and the Registered Agent fee.
In addition to the filing fee you can chose to pay an extra $30.00 for a certified copy of the Articles of Organization that you filled out. You can chose to pay an extra $5.00 for a Certificate of Status which is basically a form sent to you saying that the state received your paperwork and gives you a document number for your LLC.
New Florida LLC Fees
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| New LLC Filing Fee (required) | $100.00 |
| Registered Agent Fee (required) | $25.00 |
| Certificate of Status (optional) | $5.00 |
| Certified Copy of Record (optional) | $30.00 |
Annual Florida LLC Fees
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual Report (& Supplemental Fee) | $138.75 |
| Annual Report (Received after May 1) | $538.75 |
| Amended Annual Report | $50.00 |
| Certificate of Status (optional) | $5.00 |
| Certified Copy of Record (optional) | $30.00 |
Additional Florida LLC Fees
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Change of Registered Agent | $25.00 |
| Articles of Correction | $25.00 |
| Certificate of Conversion | $25.00 |
| Registered Agent Resignation (active) | $85.00 |
| Registered Agent Resignation (dissolved) | $25.00 |
| Reinstatement Fee | $100.00 |
| Any Other Amendment | $25.00 |
| Articles of Dissolution/Withdrawal | $25.00 |
| Articles of Revocation of Dissolution | $100.00 |
| Certificate of Merger | $25.00 per party |
| Member, Managing Member, or Manager Resignation | $25.00 |
If you filed electronically then a day or so after the Articles of Organization are completed you might want to go to Sunbiz to search for your company name. This way you can be sure that everything has been completed properly.