How to Start an LLC in Florida: Step-by-Step (2026)

Forming a Florida LLC is one of the cleaner state processes in the country. You file one document with the Division of Corporations, pay a flat fee, and you have a legal entity that separates your personal assets from your business debts. No state income tax on individuals, a fully online filing system, and a predictable annual deadline make Florida a popular home for new companies.

Here is the short answer to how to form an LLC in Florida: search for an available name, appoint a registered agent, file the Articles of Organization on Sunbiz for $125, then get a free EIN from the IRS. The rest of this guide walks through each step, what it actually costs, and the pitfalls that trip up first-timers.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather these before you touch the filing form so you can complete everything in one sitting:

• A business name that meets Florida's naming rules
• A registered agent with a physical Florida street address
• The names and addresses of the LLC's members or managers
• A mailing address for the company
• A credit card for the $125 state fee

If you are still weighing whether an LLC is the right structure at all, read our overview of what an LLC is and compare it against a sole proprietorship before you commit.

Step 1: Choose and Search Your LLC Name

Your name must be distinguishable from every other entity already on file with the state and must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." It cannot imply a purpose you are not licensed for (like "Bank" or "Insurance") without approval.

Run your desired name through the Sunbiz name search on the Florida Division of Corporations website. If the exact name is taken, you will need to adjust it. Florida does not let you formally reserve a name in advance for LLCs, so once you confirm availability, move to filing fairly quickly.

If you want a public-facing brand that differs from your legal name, you can file a Fictitious Name (DBA) separately. And if the name is central to your business, consider whether you need to trademark the name for broader protection.

Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent

Florida requires every LLC to name a registered agent: a person or company with a physical street address in Florida (no P.O. boxes) who agrees to accept legal documents and state notices during business hours.

You have three options:

1. Be your own agent - free, but your address becomes public record and you must be available during business hours.
2. Name another member - same trade-offs.
3. Hire a service - typically $100-$150 per year for privacy and reliability.

If you travel, work from home, or want to keep your home address off the public record, a paid service is worth it. See our roundup of the best registered agent services to compare.

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

This is the step that legally creates your LLC. You file the Articles of Organization online through Sunbiz (efile.sunbiz.org) or by mailing the paper form to the Division of Corporations in Tallahassee.

The document asks for:

• LLC name and principal address
• Registered agent name, address, and signature
• Names and addresses of members or managers
• An optional effective date

The filing fee is $125 - a $100 charge for the Articles plus a $25 registered agent designation fee, per the Florida Division of Corporations. Online filings are usually processed within about five business days. An official certified copy is an optional $30 add-on that some banks request when you open an account.

Can You Start an LLC in Florida for Free?

People search for how to start an LLC in Florida for free, so let's be direct: you cannot. The $125 state fee is mandatory and non-negotiable. What you can do for free is skip the formation companies and file the paperwork yourself directly on Sunbiz, avoiding the $0-$300 in service markups those firms charge on top of the state fee. If cost is your main concern, our guide on how much it costs to start an LLC breaks down where every dollar goes.

Step 4: Get an EIN from the IRS

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business's federal tax ID. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Single-member LLCs with no employees can technically use a Social Security number, but getting an EIN keeps your personal number private.

Apply directly on the IRS website - it is free and issued instantly online. Ignore any third-party site that charges for an EIN; you never need to pay for one. Our walkthrough on how to get an EIN number covers the application in detail.

Step 5: Create an Operating Agreement

Florida does not legally require an operating agreement, but you should write one anyway. It documents ownership percentages, how profits are split, voting rights, and what happens if a member leaves. Without it, state default rules govern your company - and those rarely match what the owners actually intended.

For a single-member LLC it also reinforces the legal separation between you and the business, which strengthens your liability protection. A simple written agreement kept in your records is enough; it is not filed with the state.

Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account and Stay Compliant

Once your LLC is approved and you have an EIN, open a business bank account to keep personal and business finances separate. Commingling funds is the fastest way to weaken the liability shield you just paid to create.

You will also likely need local or industry licenses. Florida has no general statewide business license, but counties and cities require a Business Tax Receipt, and some professions need state permits. See our guide to getting a business license in Florida for specifics.

The Annual Report - Don't Miss May 1

Every Florida LLC must file an annual report between January 1 and May 1 each year to stay active. The fee is $138.75. Miss the May 1 deadline and Florida adds an automatic $400 late fee, bringing the total to $538.75, according to the Florida Department of State. Keep going without filing and the state will eventually dissolve your LLC. Set a calendar reminder for early in the year.

Florida LLC Cost Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida? Online filings are typically approved within about five business days.

Do I need a lawyer? No. The process is designed to be self-service through Sunbiz. A lawyer helps for complex ownership or multi-state operations.

Is Florida a good state for an LLC? For businesses operating in Florida, yes - no personal state income tax and a simple filing system. If you operate elsewhere, form the LLC in your home state instead.

Conclusion

Forming a Florida LLC comes down to six steps: pick a name, name a registered agent, file the Articles of Organization for $125, get a free EIN, write an operating agreement, and open a business bank account. Budget for the $138.75 annual report and you will stay in good standing year after year. If you are still mapping out the bigger picture - from choosing a structure to launching operations - start with our complete guide to starting a business.

Ready to file? Run your name through the Sunbiz search today and you could have an approved LLC within the week.