- Filing fee
- $125
- Annual Report
- $138.75
- First-year gov. cost
- $125
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Florida will accept
Names must include LLC or L.L.C.
Search existing Florida business names before you commit. Florida naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Must maintain a registered agent with a physical Florida street address.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Florida registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations through the official filing portal and pay $125. Bundled statutory charge: $100 for the filing itself and an unavoidable $25 fee for the registered agent designation. Identical online or via mail.
Processing: online 1 to 3 days; by mail Several weeks. Expedite: The Division of Corporations does not offer any expedited service options..
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed or drafted, though it is highly recommended.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($138.75), due Between January 1 and May 1. Immediate, un-waivable $400 late fee. Florida report deadlines.
Every Florida LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | Bundled statutory charge: $100 for the filing itself and an unavoidable $25 fee for the registered agent designation. Identical online or via mail. |
| Annual Report | $138.75 | annual, Between January 1 and May 1 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Changing the registered agent later incurs a $25 fee. |
| Amendment | $25 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $5 | |
| Qualification of Foreign LLC | $125 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Dissolution | $25 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $50 | state |
How Florida compares nationally
- Florida's filing fee of $125 is the 20th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Florida's first-year government cost of $125 is the 24th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Florida's yearly cost after that of $138.75 is the 12th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations costs $125 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Florida street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Florida's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Florida fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $125 | $0 |
| Northwest | $164 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $125 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Florida imposes no personal income tax and no state-level LLC franchise tax. A standard passthrough LLC is completely exempt from corporate income tax.
What's different about Florida
- The calendar-year reporting rule traps many new owners; an LLC formed in late December must still file a $138.75 annual report by the following May 1.
- Florida law requires the registrant to publish notice of the DBA in a county newspaper prior to filing, though no proof is required to be submitted.
- Florida does not impose a statewide business operating license; companies must secure Local Business Tax Receipts.
More Florida LLC guides
Florida LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Florida?
The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations charges $125 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $125 in government fees (Formation fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida?
Online: 1 to 3 days. By mail: Several weeks. Expedited: The Division of Corporations does not offer any expedited service options..
Does a Florida LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Florida requires the Annual Report, which costs $138.75, filed annual. Due: Between January 1 and May 1. Immediate, un-waivable $400 late fee.
Can I be my own registered agent in Florida?
Yes. Must maintain a registered agent with a physical Florida street address. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Florida require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Florida has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Florida?
Not required to be filed or drafted, though it is highly recommended.
What taxes does a Florida LLC pay to the state?
Florida imposes no personal income tax and no state-level LLC franchise tax. A standard passthrough LLC is completely exempt from corporate income tax.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.