Moving your Florida business to a new location requires updating your address with the Florida Division of Corporations. Whether you’re relocating your office, changing your mailing address, or updating other business information, the Sunbiz online portal makes the process straightforward. This guide walks you through every step of changing your Florida business address.
Understanding Florida Business Address Types
Florida business records track two primary address types, and it’s important to understand the difference:
Principal Address is the physical street address where your business operations are conducted. This cannot be a P.O. Box and must be a valid street address. For Florida LLCs and corporations, this is your primary business location.
Mailing Address is where official correspondence from the state will be sent. This can be a P.O. Box or any address where you receive mail. If your mailing address is the same as your principal address, you don’t need to list it separately.
Registered Agent Address is the address where your registered agent receives official legal documents and state notices. This is updated through a separate process, not through standard address change filings.
Most businesses need to update their principal address when they relocate. The mailing address may or may not change depending on your mail handling arrangements.
When You Must Change Your Florida Business Address
Florida law requires businesses to keep their address information current. You must file an address change when:
- You move your business operations to a new physical location
- Your office building changes its street address
- You want to update where the state sends official mail
- Your principal place of business relocates to a different city or county
The state doesn’t specify an exact deadline for address updates, but you should file as soon as possible after moving. Delays can result in missed official notices, annual report reminders, or legal documents that could affect your business standing.
If you fail to update your address and miss important deadlines because mail wasn’t received, the state won’t provide exceptions. Your business could face administrative dissolution for non-compliance.
The Free Method: Changing Address Through Your Annual Report
The most cost-effective way to change your Florida business address is through your annual report. Every Florida LLC and corporation must file an annual report between January 1 and May 1 each year.
When you file your annual report through Sunbiz, you can update your business address at no additional charge. The annual report fee covers address changes and other information updates.
Annual Report Fees:
- Florida LLC: $138.75
- Florida Corporation: $150.00
If your business move coincides with your annual report filing period, wait and make the change when you submit your annual report. This saves the separate amendment filing fee.
However, if your move happens outside the annual report window and you need the address updated immediately, you’ll need to file a separate amendment.
Changing Your LLC Address Outside Annual Report
For Florida LLCs that need to change their address outside the annual report cycle, you’ll file an Amendment to Articles of Organization.
LLC Address Amendment Fee: $25.00 online filing fee
This amendment updates your registered Articles of Organization with the new address information. The change becomes effective immediately upon filing approval.
You can include multiple changes in a single amendment filing. If you’re updating your address along with other LLC information (such as management structure or member information), submit all changes together to save additional filing fees.
Changing Your Corporation Address Outside Annual Report
Florida corporations follow a similar process but file an Amendment to Articles of Incorporation to change addresses outside the annual report.
Corporation Address Amendment Fee: $35.00 online filing fee for profit corporations
Like LLC amendments, you can bundle multiple changes into one amendment filing. If you’re updating your address while also changing directors, officers, or other corporate information, include everything in one submission.
Step-by-Step: Changing Your Address Through Sunbiz
The Florida Division of Corporations processes almost all filings through the Sunbiz online portal. Here’s how to change your business address:
Step 1: Access the Sunbiz Portal
Navigate to dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz and click “eFile” in the top navigation. You don’t need an account to file most documents.
Step 2: Select Your Filing Type
Choose the appropriate filing based on your situation:
- For annual report: Select “Annual Report” under the Registered Business Filings section
- For LLC amendment: Select “Florida Limited Liability Company” then “Articles of Amendment”
- For corporation amendment: Select “Florida Profit Corporation” then “Articles of Amendment”
Step 3: Search for Your Business
Enter your business name or document number (found on your formation documents or previous annual report). The system will display your current business information.
Review the displayed information carefully to confirm you’re updating the correct entity.
Step 4: Complete the Amendment Form
For address amendments outside the annual report:
- Enter your business document number
- Select “Change of Address” as the type of amendment
- Verify your current address information
- Enter your new principal address (required)
- Enter your new mailing address if different from principal address
- Review all information for accuracy
For annual report address changes:
- The form will display your current address information
- Update the principal address field with your new address
- Update the mailing address if needed
- Complete the rest of the annual report information
- Review all sections before submitting
Step 5: Add Officer or Authorized Person Information
You must provide the name and title of the person authorized to sign the filing. For LLCs, this is typically a member or manager. For corporations, this is usually an officer or director.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Carefully review all information before submission. Address errors can delay processing or result in incorrect records.
Once satisfied, submit your filing and pay the required fee using a credit card or electronic check.
Step 7: Receive Confirmation
Upon successful submission, you’ll receive an immediate confirmation number. Save this for your records.
The Division of Corporations will email you a filed copy of your document, usually within 1-3 business days for online filings.
Processing Times for Address Changes
Online address change filings through Sunbiz typically process quickly:
Standard Online Processing: 1-3 business days for most filings. Your confirmation number serves as proof of filing while waiting for the official stamped document.
Annual Report Processing: Usually processed within 24-48 hours during the filing season (January-May). Processing may be slower during the final weeks before the May 1 deadline.
Expedited Processing: Not typically available for address amendments. These are processed in the order received.
You can check your filing status by searching your business on Sunbiz. Once processed, the updated address will display in your business detail page.
Registered Agent Address Changes
Your registered agent’s address is separate from your principal business address. If your registered agent moves or you need to change the registered agent address, you cannot do this through a standard address amendment.
To change your registered agent address:
- File a “Registered Agent Resignation and Designation” form if changing registered agents
- File a “Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office” if the same agent is moving to a new address
- Your registered agent may need to sign the change form
The registered agent filing fee is $25.00 for most business entities.
Many businesses use their registered agent’s address as their principal address. If you do this, remember that changing your business address doesn’t automatically change your registered agent address—these are separate filings.
Other Updates Needed After Your Address Change
Changing your address with Sunbiz is just the first step. You’ll also need to update:
IRS: File Form 8822-B to notify the IRS of your business address change. This ensures tax correspondence reaches you.
Florida Department of Revenue: If you collect sales tax or have other state tax obligations, update your address through the Florida Department of Revenue’s system.
Local Business Licenses: Contact your county or city to update your local business tax receipt or occupational license with your new address.
Bank Accounts: Notify your business bank of your address change to update account records.
Business Insurance: Update your address with all insurance carriers to maintain coverage at your new location.
Vendors and Clients: Notify important business contacts of your address change.
USPS Mail Forwarding: Set up mail forwarding to ensure you don’t miss correspondence during the transition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a P.O. Box as Principal Address: Florida requires a physical street address for your principal place of business. Using a P.O. Box will result in filing rejection.
Forgetting to Update Registered Agent: If your registered agent address needs to change too, you must file a separate registered agent change document.
Missing Other Required Updates: Changing your Sunbiz address doesn’t update federal records, tax accounts, or licenses. Complete all necessary updates.
Typos in the New Address: Double-check spelling, street numbers, and ZIP codes. Errors can delay mail delivery and require another filing to correct.
Waiting Too Long: Update your address promptly after moving. Missing notices because of an outdated address won’t excuse missed deadlines.
Not Keeping Confirmation Records: Save your filing confirmation and the filed document. You may need proof of the address change for other updates.
Address Changes for Out-of-State Businesses
If your Florida business is relocating its principal address to another state, you cannot simply update the address. Florida LLCs and corporations must maintain a Florida address.
If moving operations outside Florida, you’ll need to either:
- Maintain a Florida office address (even if minimal)
- Dissolve your Florida entity and form a new entity in your new state
- Convert your Florida entity to a foreign entity registered in the new state
Consult with an attorney about the best approach for interstate relocations.
Conclusion
Changing your Florida business address with Sunbiz is a straightforward process that can be completed online in minutes. Whether you update your address through your annual report or file a separate amendment, keeping your business records current ensures you receive important state correspondence and maintain good standing.
For most businesses, timing your address change with your annual report filing provides the most cost-effective approach. If you need to update your address immediately, the small amendment fee ensures your records stay current without delay.
Remember that updating your Sunbiz address is just one piece of a complete address change. Follow through with IRS updates, state tax agencies, local licenses, and other necessary notifications to complete your business relocation smoothly.