Here’s how to start an LLC in Florida: pick an available name, name a registered agent, and file Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations for $125. Then write an operating agreement and get a free EIN from the IRS. Online filings are usually approved in 2-3 business days, and you don’t need a lawyer or Florida residency to do any of it.
The rest of this guide covers each step, what it costs, and the mistakes that slow people down. If you’d rather hand off the paperwork, start your Florida LLC with IncCraft.
What you need before you file
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| LLC name | Must be unique and include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” |
| Registered agent | Required, with a Florida street address |
| Articles of Organization | Filed with the Florida Division of Corporations |
| Filing fee | $125 (as of 2025) |
| Operating agreement | Not required by the state, but strongly recommended |
| EIN | Needed for taxes, banking and hiring |
An LLC is a separate legal entity from you. If the business is sued or runs up debt, your home, car and savings are generally protected. It also gives you tax flexibility: the LLC can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation or C corporation. Florida LLCs are governed by Chapter 605 of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act, which calls the owners “members.”
How to start an LLC in Florida, step by step
Step 1: Pick a name Florida will accept
Your name has to include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” It has to be distinguishable from names already registered in Florida, and it can’t suggest a different kind of entity, so “Corporation” and “Inc.” are out. Restricted words like bank, insurance or university may need extra documentation.
To check availability:
- Go to Sunbiz.org, the Division of Corporations site.
- Click “Search Records” and choose “Entity Name Search.”
- Enter the name you want.
- Look for exact and close matches.
A clear Sunbiz search doesn’t mean the name is safe to build a brand on. We’d also search USPTO.gov for trademarks and grab the matching domain before you file.
Step 2: Choose a registered agent
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent to receive lawsuits, government notices and other legal papers. The agent must be a Florida resident or a business authorized to operate in Florida, must have a physical street address (no P.O. boxes), and must be available during normal business hours.
You have three choices. You can be your own agent for free, but your address goes on the public record and you have to be reachable during business hours. A friend or family member can do it for free, though they take on the responsibility. Or you can pay a professional service, which typically costs $49-$299 a year.
If you work from home, we’d pay for the service. It keeps your home address off Sunbiz and means a lawsuit doesn’t land on your kitchen table while you’re traveling. IncCraft’s Standard and Premium packages include the first year of registered agent service free.
Step 3: File your Articles of Organization
This is the filing that actually creates your LLC. You submit it to the Florida Division of Corporations through Sunbiz.org, and the $125 fee is non-refundable.
The form asks for:
- The LLC name
- Principal place of business address
- Mailing address
- Registered agent name and address
- Names and addresses of managers or managing members
- An optional effective date
- The signature of an authorized person
| Method | Processing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Sunbiz.org) | 2-3 business days | Fastest way to file yourself |
| 5-7 business days | Slower and uses paper forms | |
| Through IncCraft | 1-3 business days | We prepare and file it for you |
File online. Mail adds days and gives you nothing in return. Once Florida approves the filing, you get a stamped copy of your Articles and a document number. That’s your proof the LLC exists, and your bank will ask for it.
florida-llc-articles-of-organization
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
Florida doesn’t require one. Write one anyway.
An operating agreement sets out who owns what percentage, how profits and losses are split, how votes work, whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, how new members get added, and what happens when a member leaves, dies or wants to sell. Without it, those questions get answered by default rules or by a fight.
There are practical reasons too. Many banks ask for one before they’ll open a business account. And without one, it’s easier for a court to “pierce the corporate veil” and hold you personally liable. That applies to single-member LLCs as much as anyone: the agreement is your record that you treat the LLC as a separate entity.
florida-llc-operating-agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN
An EIN is the IRS’s ID number for your business. You’ll need it to open a bank account, hire employees, file business taxes and apply for some licenses and permits.
Wait until Florida approves your Articles, then apply online at IRS.gov. It’s free, takes about 10 minutes, and you get the number immediately. Applying by mail or fax takes 4-6 weeks, so there’s no reason to. IncCraft also handles the application in our Standard and Premium packages.
How much does a Florida LLC cost?
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | One-time state filing fee |
| Registered agent | $0-$299/year | Free if you serve yourself, $49-$299/year for a service |
| Operating agreement | $0-$500 | Free templates exist; an attorney costs more |
| EIN | Free | Directly from the IRS |
| Annual report | $138.75 | Due by May 1 each year, starting the year after you form |
| IncCraft Standard | $324 | $199 plus the $125 state fee; includes filing, registered agent and EIN |
Doing it yourself, the minimum to form is the $125 state fee. Your first annual report adds $138.75 the following year.
Watch out for services that charge for an EIN (the IRS gives it out free), add rush shipping fees, or push add-ons you don’t need, like a certificate of good standing at formation.
How long does it take?
Online filings on Sunbiz usually come back in 2-3 business days. Mail takes 5-7 business days, and filing through IncCraft’s Standard or Premium package takes 1-3 business days. Florida doesn’t offer an official expedited option, so filing online is the fastest route. Once you’re approved, you can open a bank account and start operating under the LLC’s name.
What to do after your LLC is approved
Open a business bank account. Most banks want your stamped Articles, your EIN, your operating agreement and a valid ID. Do this before money starts moving. Paying business bills from your personal account is the fastest way to weaken your liability protection.
Get your licenses. Depending on your industry and location, that could mean a local business tax receipt from your city or county, a professional license (contractors, real estate, healthcare), or industry-specific permits.
florida-business-license-requirements
Register for state taxes if they apply. Florida has no state income tax, but you may need to register for sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services, and reemployment tax if you have employees.
Set up bookkeeping. Accounting software like QuickBooks or Wave is enough for most new LLCs. Bring in a bookkeeper or CPA once the numbers get busy.
Put the annual report on your calendar. It’s due by May 1 every year and costs $138.75. Keep your registered agent current, and keep your financial records and any operating agreement amendments in one place.
Mistakes that cost new owners time and money
Filing with a name that’s already taken is the most avoidable one. Search Sunbiz first, because a rejected filing means delays and a lost fee.
Using your home address for everything is the next. Your registered agent address is public, so if you don’t want your home on Sunbiz, use a service.
Skipping the operating agreement and mixing personal and business money tend to go together, and both make it easier for someone to challenge your liability protection in court.
Then there’s the annual report. Miss May 1 and you pay a $400 late fee. Still missing in September, and Florida can dissolve your LLC.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
The state filing fee is $125. Through IncCraft’s Standard package, it’s $324 including the state fee. Starting the year after you form, you’ll also pay the $138.75 annual report fee each year.
Can I form a Florida LLC if I live in another state?
Yes. You don’t need to be a Florida resident. You do need a registered agent with a Florida street address.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC in Florida?
No. Most people form their LLC without one. An attorney is worth it if your ownership structure is complicated or you have specific liability concerns.
How is a Florida LLC taxed?
By default, a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship and a multi-member LLC as a partnership. You can elect S corporation or C corporation status with the IRS. Florida has no state income tax.
What’s the difference between member-managed and manager-managed?
In a member-managed LLC, all the owners run the business day to day. In a manager-managed LLC, designated managers, who may or may not be members, handle operations while the other members stay passive.
Start your Florida LLC with IncCraft
Our Standard package is $199 plus state fees. We prepare and file your Articles of Organization, include your first year of registered agent service, apply for your EIN, send compliance alerts before deadlines, and keep your documents in your dashboard. Premium includes the registered agent and EIN service too.
Questions? Call us at (352) 557-9713 and you’ll talk to a real person.