Your Florida LLC Articles of Organization is the filing that creates your LLC. You submit it to the Florida Division of Corporations, pay $125, and online filings are usually approved in 2-3 business days. Once it’s approved, your LLC exists, you have liability protection, and you can open a bank account and sign contracts in the LLC’s name.
The form itself is short. Most rejections come from a handful of avoidable mistakes, which we cover below. (Other states call this document a “Certificate of Formation.” Same idea.)
What goes on the Florida LLC Articles of Organization?
Have these ready before you start. Everything you enter becomes public record.
LLC name. It must include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.,” be distinguishable from other Florida business names, and avoid restricted words unless you have authorization. “Sunshine Consulting LLC” or “Miami Property Investments, L.L.C.” both work.
Principal office address. Your main business location. It can be an office, your home or a virtual office address. Since it’s public, think twice before listing your home. Some owners use their registered agent’s address here for privacy.
Mailing address. Where official mail goes. It can match the principal address or be a P.O. box.
Registered agent. An individual or a Florida-authorized company, with a physical Florida street address. No P.O. boxes. The agent accepts legal and government documents for your LLC.
Management structure. Member-managed means all the owners run the business day to day. Manager-managed means designated managers run it and the other members stay passive.
Managers or members. List the names and addresses of all managers if you’re manager-managed, or all members if you’re member-managed.
Effective date. Either the date it’s filed, or a later date you choose.
Signature. From an authorized person: the organizer, a member or a manager.
How do you file?
| Method | Processing time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Online at Sunbiz.org | 2-3 business days | Most people |
| By mail | 5-7 business days | People without an online payment method |
| Through IncCraft | Submitted within 1 business day, then 2-3 business days at the state | People who want someone else to check and file it |
The fee is $125 and non-refundable whichever way you file.
Filing online at Sunbiz
- Go to Sunbiz.org.
- Click “Start a Business.”
- Select “Florida Limited Liability Company.”
- Fill in every required field.
- Pay the $125 filing fee.
- Submit and save your confirmation.
This is the way we’d file. It’s the fastest, you get confirmation right away, and you can fix mistakes before you hit submit.
Filing by mail
Download the paper form from Sunbiz.org, fill in every section, and send it with a $125 check or money order to Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. Expect 5-7 business days. The only real reason to do this is if you can’t pay online.
Filing through IncCraft
You answer a short questionnaire, we prepare the Articles, review them for errors, file them and watch for approval. Your stamped documents show up in your dashboard. Standard and Premium packages include registered agent service.
Start Your Florida LLC with IncCraft
What happens after you file?
The Division of Corporations reviews the filing. If it’s approved, you get your stamped Articles of Organization, your document number and your filing date, which is the date your LLC legally came into existence.
Save the document number somewhere you’ll find it. You’ll need it for banking and other paperwork.
Then:
- Create an operating agreement. florida-llc-operating-agreement
- Apply for an EIN. ein-florida-llc
- Open a business bank account.
- Get any licenses you need. florida-business-license-requirements
Why do filings get rejected?
The name is taken. Search Sunbiz.org before you file. A rejected filing doesn’t get your $125 back.
The registered agent has a P.O. box. It has to be a physical Florida street address.
Fields are missing. Incomplete forms get rejected. Read through the whole thing once before submitting.
A typo in your business name won’t get you rejected, which is worse. Your LLC’s name is exactly what you filed, and fixing a misspelling takes an amendment and a $25 fee. Type it carefully.
And save or print your confirmation when you file online, since it has your document number.
Can you change your Articles later?
Yes. You can file an amendment to change the name, registered agent, address or management structure. The amendment fee is $25, and you can file it online at Sunbiz.org under “Manage Business” or through IncCraft.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Florida take to approve Articles of Organization?
Online filings typically take 2-3 business days. Mail filings take 5-7 business days.
Can my filing be rejected?
Yes. The usual reasons are an unavailable name, missing information or an invalid registered agent address. The filing fee isn’t refunded.
Do I need an attorney to file?
No. Most people file without one. A formation service like IncCraft can check your work if you want a second set of eyes.
What’s the difference between Articles of Organization and an operating agreement?
The Articles are the public document you file with the state. The operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC runs. Florida doesn’t require an operating agreement, but we strongly recommend one.
Can I choose a future effective date?
Yes. You can pick a later effective date on the form instead of the filing date.
File your Florida LLC with IncCraft
Our Standard package is $199 plus the $125 state fee. It includes professional preparation of your Articles of Organization, your first year of registered agent service, your EIN application and ongoing compliance reminders.
Questions? Call (352) 557-9713.