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Start a Free LLC in Florida

To start an LLC in Florida, you file Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. Our business formation specialists prepare and file your LLC documents directly with the state at no extra cost. You only pay the $125 state filing fee. Choose one of our higher packages inclusive of an operating agreement, DBA, EIN, registered agent, and additional Florida LLC services.

Florida LLC Formation Packages

Start your LLC at $0 + state fees

How to Form an LLC in Florida in 5 Steps

Start by choosing a unique name for your LLC, one that doesn't exist in Florida's business records. Next, file your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. You'll also need a registered agent with a physical street address in Florida to receive legal and official mail on your LLC's behalf. Once your LLC is approved, apply for an EIN if you need one.

Swyft Filings handles the paperwork and state filings in all 50 states. Select our basic package to start an LLC in Florida for free. We also offer professional registered agent services, so you can avoid using your personal Florida address as the registered agent address in public filings. Our online dashboard securely stores a copy of your paperwork and keeps it accessible at all times.

Step 1: Choose A Business Name

A good business name should be short and simple so people can read and remember it easily.

Florida requires your LLC name to be distinguishable from every other business name on file with the Division of Corporations.
It must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." (or "Chartered," "Professional Limited Liability Company," "P.L.L.C.," or "PLLC" if you are forming a professional LLC).
Certain words are restricted and require regulatory approval or a licensed member to use, such as Bank, Trust, Insurance, Attorney, University, College, etc.

You can use our free business name generator tool to spark creative ideas. While you do it, list a few names, since it helps to have backups ready if your first choice isn't accepted.

Search Florida's business name database on the Sunbiz portal before you file. It shows right away if your name is taken or too close to an existing one. Even if a name shows ‘available’, do not treat it as approved until you receive a filing acknowledgment from the state.

Yes. You can reserve a name for 120 days by submitting a written letter to the Secretary of State with the name you want and your name and address. The fee is $25. Florida does not have an online reservation form, so this request must be submitted by mail.

Though your LLC can operate under its own legal name with no extra filing, you need a DBA, called a fictitious name in Florida, to run the business or a product line under a different name than the one on your Articles of Organization. This requires filing a Fictitious Name Registration with the Division of Corporations, along with publication in a newspaper.

Buy your domain as soon as your business name is approved. Domain names get taken quickly, and matching your website address to your LLC name makes it easier for customers to find you. If your exact name is not available, try a short variation or add your city or industry to it. Swyft Filings paid formation packages include a free domain and a done-for-you website through our partner UENI to help you establish your online presence.

Filing a trademark in Florida is generally not required, but it is worth considering. You can legally run a business in Florida without one. However, someone else could use a similar name or logo, making it harder for you to stop them. A state trademark protects your name and logo within Florida, and a federal trademark protects it nationwide.

Step 2: Appoint a Florida Registered Agent

A registered agent receives official and legal business mail. They are required to have a physical street address in Florida and be available at that address during business hours. In Florida, the agent must sign the Articles of Organization to accept the role.

Who can be a registered agent?
Your Florida LLC's registered agent must fall into one of two categories under Fla. Stat. § 605.0113(1)(b):

An individual who lives in Florida and whose business address matches the registered office address.
A domestic or foreign entity authorized to conduct business in Florida whose business address matches the registered office address.

Who cannot be a registered agent of an LLC?
An entity can’t serve as its own registered agent. Secondly, a P.O. Box does not satisfy the physical street address requirement.

You can be your own registered agent if you are an individual with a Florida street address and you are consistently available during business hours to receive documents. An LLC member or manager can also fill this role, provided they meet the residency requirement. That said, many owners hire a professional registered agent service instead so their home address stays off the public record and they have freedom to visit places.

Step 3: File Your Florida Articles of Organization

Filing the Articles of Organization permanently records your information with the state. It means your business name, registered agent address, and other details will be accessible to anyone who looks them up. You can download Articles of Organization online for free from the Florida Department of State website for mail filings. There is a total fee of $125 for a Florida LLC ($100 filing fee + $25 registered agent designation fee).

What information is required to fill out Articles of Organization:

LLC name
Principal office street address
Mailing address, if different (a P.O. box is acceptable here)
Registered agent name and Florida street address, with the agent's signature
Names and addresses of managers or official representatives (optional)
A single specific professional purpose (only if forming a PLLC)
Optional effective date, up to 90 days after filing or five business days before it
A valid correspondence email address

If you file your Florida LLC Articles of Organization by mail, complete the form and send it with the required payment to:

Florida Department of State
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Yes, you can file by mail. Print the Articles of Organization form and mail it to the Division of Corporations along with your payment. The documents are processed in the order they're received. Online filing is generally faster, since mailed documents take time to arrive, placing them later in the queue than online submissions.

If your LLC already exists in another state and you want to do business in Florida, you do not file Articles of Organization. Instead, you register as a foreign LLC by filing an Application for Authorization to Transact Business with the Division of Corporations.

Florida Division of Corporations states that it does not offer expedited services, so approval speed depends on how the document was submitted and how busy the office is that week. For the current turnaround, check the state's own processing dates page before you file. Getting approved is not difficult. Most rejections happen because required fields are missing or the name is not distinguishable, not because the process itself is hard. This is why many businesses choose a professional to handle the paperwork, ensure accuracy in the application, and reduce filing errors.

Search for your LLC by name or document number on Sunbiz (official filing portal for Florida LLCs). Your entity page shows its current status, registered agent information, and filing history. Check how to do a business entity search in Florida for step-by-step guidance.

Step 4: Create a Florida LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not mandatory to form or file with the state. Still, it is recommended to have one to avoid future membership or profit-distribution conflicts. Without one, a court applies the state's default rules under the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act, which may not match how you actually want to run your business.

Include the following in your operating agreement:

Member names and addresses
Ownership percentage
Profit and loss distribution
Management structure
LLC dissolution terms
Rules for members joining or leaving

Have every member sign the agreement, and keep it safe with your other corporate documents. Swyft Filings' Standard LLC formation package includes a custom operating agreement, so you don't have to build your own from scratch.

Step 5: Get an EIN

Most LLCs need an EIN once you have employees, need to open a business bank account, or have more than one member. You can apply for an EIN online or by filing Form SS-4 with the IRS for free. To complete the application, you need the following things:

Name and address of the business
Name and the taxpayer ID (SSN or ITIN)
Type of business structure (LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit)
Reason for applying (opening a bank account, hiring an employee)

Single-owner LLCs with no employees generally don't need an EIN, since they're taxed as a sole proprietorship by default. Independent contractors and freelancers who report their income on a personal tax return also don’t need an EIN and can typically use their SSN instead.

Applying online is the fastest route. The application takes about 10-15 minutes, and you get your EIN immediately after it's approved. Keep in mind the session isn't saved, so it times out after 15 minutes of inactivity, and you'll need to start over. Applying by mail takes longer, generally several weeks.

Apply for an EIN once your Articles of Organization approval comes. An EIN is tied to your business name. If it gets approved for a business name that's later rejected, it stays with the original business and can’t be canceled. In that case, you may have to send a formal letter to the IRS with the correct legal name and business details, along with the state-approved letter of Articles of Organization.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for a Florida LLC

File Your Annual Report

Every LLC owner in Florida is required to file an annual report with the Division of Corporations for a fee of $138.75. The filing period runs from January 1 to May 1 every year after your LLC's formation date. The report does not ask for financial information. It simply keeps your entity's information up to date with the state.

Get Necessary Business Licenses and Permits

There is no single statewide general license for a Florida LLC, but almost every LLC requires a Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) if you are operating a commercial business from an office, home, or a physical location within a city or a county. A business might also require additional licenses (local, state, or federal) based on its specific industry.

Forming an LLC creates your business entity, but it doesn’t authorize you to conduct business. Skipping the licenses may result in heavy cash fines, operational shutdowns, or a lawsuit. Read our guide on Florida business licenses for more details.

If you sell taxable goods, you need to register as a sales and use tax dealer with the Florida Department of Revenue. Registration is free, and you can apply for a seller permit online or by mail with the Florida Business Tax Application.

Yes, you can research and apply for your own licenses and permits through your city, county, and any relevant state licensing board. Swyft Filings also offers a business license research service that identifies which licenses your business needs and how to file for each one.

Open a Business Bank Account in Florida

Getting a business bank account separates your personal assets from your business finances, protecting your personal liability. Here is what you need to open one in Florida:

Articles of Organization (approved by the state)
Operating Agreement
Federal EIN (Tax ID)
Two forms of ID (e.g., driver's license, passport)
Proof of Florida business address

Check our guide to opening a business bank account to know the process in detail.

How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC in Florida?

Item	Cost
Articles of Organization filing fee	$100
Registered agent designation fee	$25
Total to form your LLC	$125
Name reservation (optional, 120 days)	$25
Annual report (every year)	$138.75

Filing the Articles of Organization yourself directly through Sunbiz only costs the $125 state fee. Hiring a formation service adds a service fee on top of that state fee, but it also adds a document review, a registered agent, and support if something in your filing needs correcting. Read our complete guide on how to create an LLC for free if you are looking to DIY the paperwork.

DIY vs Swyft Filings: Florida LLC Formation Difference

Starting an LLC in Florida yourself is possible, but it takes time, research, and follow-up. Here is how doing it yourself compares to forming your Florida LLC with Swyft Filings.

Item	DIY	Swyft Filings
Florida LLC Operating Agreement	You draft your own from scratch or use a free template	A custom LLC operating agreement is included.
Florida Registered Agent	You handle it on your own	Professional RA service is available
Attorney access	You'd need to hire one separately	Personalized guidance from a business attorney is available
Domain Name + Website	You build and host it yourself	Done-for-you website + domain included, through partner UENI
Florida Business License Research	You do yourself	Available as an add-on
Florida DBA filing	You handle yourself	Available as an add-on
Document Vault	Not available. You manage your own files	Secure online portal, 24/7 document access
Florida Compliance management	You track deadlines yourself	Compliance support is available through ComplianceGuard
Tax consultation	Not included. You'd book this separately	Free 30-minute tax consultation included, through partner 1-800Accountant
Support	None	Lifetime customer support

Need Help Filing Your Florida LLC?

Don't let paperwork mistakes delay your business. Since 2015, Swyft Filings offers business formation services in all 50 states. We have helped over 600,000 owners form businesses. We prepare your Articles of Organization accurately and file them with the state, so you can focus on building your brand. If you choose to form your LLC with us, you receive EIN filing service as part of our paid package. We also offer DBA filing, annual report filing, and registered agent service in all 50 states.

Start Your Free Florida LLC Now!

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Swyft Filings Florida LLC Resources

*Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about forming an LLC in Florida and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*

Check LLC Formation Guides for Other States

LLC rules, fees, and processing times vary by state. Select a state below to check its specific costs and filing requirements.

How to Form Florida LLC

Learn how to start a Florida LLC with our comprehensive step by step guide.

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FAQ's

Starting a business can feel complex. We're here to provide clear answers to some of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask.

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An LLC costs more to set up and maintain than a sole proprietorship, since you pay a state filing fee up front and a $138.75 annual report fee every year after. Owners need to keep personal and business finances separate and maintain proper records, since treating the LLC casually can weaken the liability protection it is meant to provide. Raising money from outside investors can also be harder than with a corporation, since an LLC does not issue stock.

There is no set income threshold you need to hit before forming an LLC in Florida. Many owners form one before they make any money at all, specifically to get liability protection in place before they start taking on clients or customers. Others wait until the side income becomes consistent enough to justify the state fee and annual report. Either approach is reasonable, and it comes down to how much risk you are taking on right now, not how much you are earning.

Your LLC still exists and still owes its annual report to the state, regardless of income. On your personal taxes, a Florida LLC taxed as a disregarded entity or partnership simply reports no business income for the year. A slow first year is common and does not put your LLC at risk on its own, as long as you keep filing your annual report on time. Read how to file taxes for an LLC with zero income.

Yes. You can file your Articles of Organization through Sunbiz, or use a formation service like Swyft Filings that prepares and files the paperwork for you. Neither path requires a lawyer, though you can always seek personalized guidance from a business attorney included in our package if your situation is more complex, such as involving multiple members with an unusual profit-sharing arrangement.

Yes. Florida allows professional limited liability companies for licensed professionals in fields such as law, accounting, and medicine. A PLLC must include "Chartered," "Professional Limited Liability Company," "P.L.L.C.," or "PLLC" in its name and state a single specific professional purpose in its Articles of Organization.

Not exactly as a new entity type, but Florida now allows something close to it. As of July 1, 2026, an existing, active Florida LLC can designate one or more "protected series" under the state's new Uniform Protected Series Provisions. A protected series is not a separate legal entity and does not receive its own document number; the $25 designation filing can only be submitted online. The parent LLC still files its own annual report, which lists any protected series that have not been canceled.

Florida does not charge a state personal income tax, so most LLC owners pay no state tax on their share of the business income. An LLC that chooses to be taxed as a corporation, however, is subject to Florida's corporate income tax and must file a Florida corporate income and franchise tax return.

The IRS treats a single-member LLC as a disregarded entity by default, meaning it does not file a separate federal tax return. Business earnings, deductions, and credits pass through to the owner's personal return, generally on Schedule C, similar to a sole proprietorship.

A $400 late fee applies to any report filed after 11:59 PM EST on May 1. If the report still is not filed by the third Friday in September, the state administratively dissolves the LLC at the close of business on the fourth Friday in September. A dissolved LLC can be reinstated, which requires payment of the reinstatement fee plus any annual report fees owed.

Select the Basic LLC package with Swyft Filings to form your free Florida LLC. We prepare and file your Florida LLC formation documents, and you only pay the mandatory Florida state fee.

Forming a free Florida LLC is a good way to get started. Select a higher package to include Florida registered agent services, EIN, attorney support, and other Florida LLC services.