How to Form an LLC in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Forming an LLC in Florida is one of the most straightforward business formation processes in the country. The state has no income tax, no franchise tax on LLCs, and the filing can be completed online in a single sitting. Most people can go from zero to a fully formed LLC in one to two business days.

This guide walks through every step of the process, including the details that online filing services charge $200 to $500 to handle for you but that you can easily do yourself.

Step 1: Choose Your LLC Name

Your LLC name must meet three requirements under Florida law:

Distinguishable: The name must be different from any existing LLC, corporation, or limited partnership registered in Florida. You can search existing names on Sunbiz.org, the Florida Division of Corporations website.
Contains "LLC" or equivalent: The name must include "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC" at the end.
No restricted words: Words like "Bank," "Insurance," or "University" require additional state approvals and licenses.

Search the Sunbiz database before settling on a name. If your preferred name is taken, try variations. You do not need to reserve the name in advance (though you can for $25), but the name must be available at the time you file.

Step 2: Designate a Registered Agent

Before you file your Articles of Organization, you need to know who your registered agent will be. Florida law requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The registered agent receives legal documents and state correspondence on behalf of your LLC.

You have three options:

Name yourself: Free, but your home address becomes public record on Sunbiz.org, and you must be available at that address during all business hours.
Name a friend or family member: Also free, but places a legal responsibility on someone who may not take it seriously. If they miss a document, the consequences fall on your LLC.
Hire a professional registered agent: Costs $49 to $150 per year. Your home address stays private, documents are handled professionally, and you have reliable coverage during business hours. At Wilton Plaza, registered agent service is $99/year.

Have your registered agent's name and address ready before proceeding to Step 3.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

This is the official act that creates your LLC. File online at Sunbiz.org under "Start a Business" then "Florida Limited Liability Company."

The filing requires the following information:

LLC name
Principal address (must be a street address, not a P.O. Box)
Mailing address (can be same as principal or different)
Registered agent name and address
Manager or member information (name and address of at least one managing member or manager)
Effective date (you can choose a future date up to 90 days out, or leave blank for immediate)

The filing fee is $125. Payment is by credit card online. Processing time is typically 1 to 3 business days for electronic filings. Once approved, your LLC is officially formed and you will receive a confirmation from the Division of Corporations.

Note: Many online services charge $200 to $500 plus the state fee to file this for you. The Sunbiz.org filing is straightforward and takes about 15 minutes to complete yourself.

Step 4: Get an EIN from the IRS

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax identification number. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Even single-member LLCs without employees should get an EIN to keep personal and business finances separate.

Apply for free at IRS.gov. The process is online, takes about 10 minutes, and you receive your EIN immediately upon completion. There is no cost. Any service that charges you to get an EIN is marking up a free government service.

You will need your LLC's legal name, principal address, managing member information, and the date the LLC was formed. Have your Sunbiz confirmation handy.

Step 5: Draft an Operating Agreement

Florida does not legally require an operating agreement for an LLC, but every LLC should have one. An operating agreement is an internal document that defines how the LLC is owned, managed, and operated. It covers:

Ownership percentages of each member
How profits and losses are distributed
Management structure (member-managed vs. manager-managed)
Voting rights and decision-making procedures
What happens if a member leaves, dies, or wants to sell their interest
Dissolution procedures

For a single-member LLC, the operating agreement is simple: it confirms you as the sole owner and manager. For multi-member LLCs, the operating agreement is critical because it prevents disputes by defining the rules in advance.

Banks will often ask for a copy of your operating agreement when you open a business account. Without one, some banks will not open the account.

Step 6: Get a Business Address

Your LLC needs a professional address for correspondence, licensing, banking, and credibility. Using your home address is legal but makes your residential address a public record and can appear unprofessional on your website, invoices, and marketing materials.

A business address service gives you a real commercial street address with a suite number. You use it on your LLC filing, bank account, website, Google Business Profile, business cards, and all correspondence. Mail is received and handled on your behalf.

At Wilton Plaza, business address plans start at $39 per month. This includes a commercial address at our building in Wilton Manors, mail receiving from all carriers, mail scanning and notification, and conference room access. No setup fees, quarterly or annual billing.

Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account

With your LLC formed, EIN in hand, operating agreement drafted, and business address established, you can open a business bank account. This step is essential for maintaining the liability protection your LLC provides. If you mix personal and business funds, a court can "pierce the corporate veil" and hold you personally liable for business debts.

To open a business bank account, you typically need:

Articles of Organization (filed and approved)
EIN letter from the IRS
Operating agreement
Government-issued photo ID for all signers
Business address
Initial deposit (varies by bank, often $25 to $100)

Shop around for banking. Major banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America offer business accounts but often charge monthly fees. Community banks and credit unions may offer free business checking with fewer requirements.

After Formation: Annual Requirements

Once your LLC is formed, Florida requires two ongoing obligations:

Annual Report

Every Florida LLC must file an annual report with the Division of Corporations between January 1 and May 1 each year. The filing fee is $138.75. Late filing after May 1 incurs a $400 penalty. Failure to file results in administrative dissolution of your LLC.

The annual report is filed online at Sunbiz.org and takes about 5 minutes. It confirms or updates your LLC's principal address, mailing address, registered agent, and manager/member information.

Registered Agent Maintenance

You must maintain a valid registered agent at all times. If your registered agent resigns or their address changes, you must file an update with the Division of Corporations immediately. A $25 filing fee applies for changes.

Total Cost Summary

Here is what it costs to form and maintain a Florida LLC without using expensive online formation services:

Articles of Organization filing: $125 (one-time)
EIN from IRS: $0
Registered agent service: $99/year (at Wilton Plaza)
Business address: from $39/month ($468/year at Wilton Plaza)
Annual report: $138.75/year
Operating agreement: $0 if you draft it yourself, $150 to $500 if you hire an attorney

Total first-year cost: approximately $710 to $1,060, depending on whether you hire an attorney for the operating agreement. Ongoing annual cost: approximately $586. This is a fraction of what formation services charge when you add up their fees, upsells, and ongoing subscriptions.