If you file online, it takes 2-3 business days to get an LLC in Florida. Mail filing takes 5-7 business days. Add the EIN (minutes, online) and a business bank account (same day to a week), and most people are fully up and running within 3-7 business days.
The state’s processing time is the part you can’t speed up. Everything else depends on how prepared you are.
How long to get an LLC in Florida, step by step
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (online) | 2-3 business days |
| Articles of Organization (mail) | 5-7 business days |
| EIN from IRS (online) | Immediate |
| Business bank account | Same day to 1 week |
| Total: LLC ready to operate | 3-7 business days |
With the IncCraft Standard Package, we submit your filing within 1 business day, and state processing adds 2-3 days. That’s 3-4 business days in total.
How long does the state take to approve the Articles of Organization?
Filing your Articles of Organization is the step that actually creates the LLC. Online at Sunbiz.org, processing takes 2-3 business days. You get an email when it’s approved, and the stamped copy is available online.
By mail, plan on 5-7 business days. That covers mailing time plus state processing, and your documents come back by mail.
We’d file online. There’s no advantage to paper here, only extra days.
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How fast can you get an EIN?
Once the LLC is approved, apply for your Employer Identification Number on IRS.gov. The online application is free and gives you the EIN within minutes. It’s available Monday through Friday, 7am to 10pm ET.
The mail application takes 4-6 weeks. Don’t use it unless you have to.
IncCraft’s Standard and Premium packages include the EIN, and we apply for it on your behalf after the LLC is approved.
How long does it take to open a business bank account?
Anywhere from the same day to a week. Most of that range comes down to whether you show up with everything the bank wants. Bring:
- Stamped Articles of Organization
- EIN confirmation letter (IRS CP575)
- Operating agreement (many banks require one)
- Personal ID
Call ahead to confirm what that bank needs. Online business banks are often faster.
What about licenses and permits?
This is where timelines stop being predictable. A local business tax receipt from your city or county usually takes 1-7 business days, depending on where you are. Professional licenses can take weeks to months, depending on the profession. Industry permits vary widely.
If your business needs a professional license, start that process early. It’ll be the slowest piece by far.
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What slows a Florida LLC down?
Most delays are self-inflicted. The common ones:
- Filing by mail, which adds days or weeks
- Incomplete applications, which get rejected and have to be resubmitted
- Name conflicts, which mean a rejected filing and starting over
- Complex ownership structures that need additional documents
- State processing delays during busy periods (rare, but it happens)
Check name availability before you file, fill in every field and file online, and most of these go away. A professional service also catches errors before the filing goes in.
DIY or a service: which is faster?
The calendar time is close either way. The difference is how much of your own time it takes.
| Step | DIY | With IncCraft |
|---|---|---|
| Research requirements | 1-3 hours | – |
| Check name availability | 15 minutes | – |
| Complete the paperwork | 30-60 minutes | 15-20 minutes (our questionnaire) |
| Filing submitted | When you finish | Within 1 business day |
| State processing | 2-3 business days | 2-3 business days |
| EIN | 15 minutes | Same day as approval |
| Your total time | 2-4 hours | 15-20 minutes |
| Total calendar time | 3-5 business days | 3-4 business days |
Can you get a Florida LLC in one day?
Not officially. Florida doesn’t have a formal expedited or same-day processing option for LLCs, though its online processing is already fast at 2-3 business days.
When a service advertises “expedited” or “same day” Florida filing, it means they submit the same day you order (we do this with Standard and Premium) or review it quickly on their end. The state’s processing stays at 2-3 business days no matter who files.
If you truly need an LLC the same day, you could form in Delaware or Wyoming, where same-day filing is available, and then register as a foreign LLC in Florida. It costs more and adds complexity. For almost everyone starting a Florida business, it isn’t worth it.
What does a fast timeline look like?
Here’s how it can go when nothing gets in the way:
- Monday 9am: you complete IncCraft’s questionnaire
- Monday 5pm: we file your Articles of Organization with Florida
- Wednesday: Florida processes and approves your LLC
- Wednesday afternoon: we apply for your EIN, and you receive the confirmation that evening
- Thursday morning: you open your business bank account
That’s 3 days from start to fully operational.
When do you get your documents?
The stamped Articles of Organization are available on Sunbiz as soon as the LLC is approved. A Certificate of Status costs $5 online and is available the same day. If you file through IncCraft, your documents show up in your dashboard right after approval, and we email you when they’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check my Florida LLC status?
Search your business name at Sunbiz.org. Once approved, your LLC appears in the database with an “Active” status.
How long until I can use my LLC?
You can start operating as your LLC as soon as the state approves it. For banking and contracts, you’ll need your EIN, which you can get the same day online.
Get your LLC filed this week
The IncCraft Standard Package is $199 plus the $125 state fee. We file within 1 business day, the state processes it in 2-3 business days, we apply for your EIN right after approval, and all your documents land in your online dashboard.
Questions? Call (352) 557-9713.