Florida LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in Florida is $125. This amount covers the processing fee for filing your LLC formation documents, known as the Articles of Organization, as well as appointing a registered agent.

However, the overall cost of forming a Florida LLC can vary based on your business needs and personal preferences.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Florida LLC Cost

Below is a table summarizing the main requirements for forming a Florida LLC, as well as their associated fees:

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$100
Registered Agent	$25-$155+
LLC Name	$0-$75+

Florida LLC Filing Fee ($100)

To legally form an LLC in Florida, you must file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The standard filing fee for this is $100, regardless of whether you’re forming a domestic or foreign LLC.

If you decide to file the Articles of Organization by yourself, this $100 fee is all you need to pay. However, if you opt to use an LLC formation service, the cost will be slightly higher due to the service fee imposed on top of Florida’s state filing fee. 

LLC formation service fees can vary widely, generally starting at around $29 and increasing if you choose to add optional extras. 

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Florida Registered Agent ($25+)

When filing your Articles of Organization, you’re required to appoint a registered agent and pay a $25 fee. A registered agent is a person or business entity that you designate to receive important legal, tax, and governmental correspondence on your LLC’s behalf.

While you can act as your own registered agent at no additional cost, it’s often recommended to hire a professional service in order to avoid the risk of missing critical documents, which could lead to penalties or legal issues. 

Hiring a registered agent also offers increased privacy protections, as your agent’s address will become publicly available instead of your own. 

The cost for professional registered agent services typically starts around $130 per year. Some LLC formation services include the first year of registered agent services for free as part of their package.

Florida LLC Name ($0-$75+)

Choosing a suitable name for your Florida LLC is a crucial step in the formation process.

While there’s no fee for registering a business name in Florida, there are a few potential costs associated with the overall process, which we’ve discussed below.

Reserving a Name ($25)

Unlike many states, Florida does not require a specific form to reserve a business name. Instead, you must submit a letter with your name, address, and the name you wish to reserve. This letter should be accompanied by a $25 fee, which will reserve your business name for up to 120 days, after which the reservation will be nonrenewable.

Note: Before reserving a name, it’s essential to check that it is not already in use by another business in Florida. You can verify this by using the Sunbiz Florida Entity Name Search tool.

You will also need to ensure that your name’s corresponding domain is available, as you will need this for your business’s website.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name ($50+)

If you intend to operate your business under a name different from your LLC’s legal name, you will need to register a Doing Business As (DBA) name, also known as a fictitious name. This involves filing an Application for Registration of Fictitious Name with the Secretary of State and paying a $50 registration fee.

Note: In addition to the registration fee, Florida law requires you to publish a notice of your fictitious name in a newspaper located in the county where your business is based, which incurs an extra cost.

While not required, it’s a good idea to ensure that your name will be available as a URL (for your business website) by conducting a quick domain search — this is essential to ensure consistency in your LLC’s brand.

Optional Florida LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard costs of forming a Florida LLC, there are certain additional expenses you may encounter depending on your business’s specific needs.

These costs have been broken down in further detail in the sections below.

Florida LLC Operating Agreement

Although Florida does not require LLCs to have an Operating Agreement, it is highly recommended. This is an internal document that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and ownership structure of your LLC’s members and managers — which is great for preventing disputes as it provides clear guidelines for the operation of your business.

You can draft this document yourself at no cost, or you may choose to hire a professional service or attorney to create it for you. The cost of having an attorney draft an Operating Agreement typically starts at several hundred dollars.

However, it’s worth noting that this document does not need to be filed with the Florida Secretary of State, as it is purely for internal use.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on the location and industry of your LLC, you may need to obtain various local business licenses or permits. 

The cost of these licenses can vary greatly but typically ranges from $15 to several hundred dollars.

Certificate of Status

A Certificate of Status, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is often required to open a business bank account or for certain business transactions, such as obtaining a loan. This document verifies that your LLC is properly registered and in good standing with the state. 

The fee for requesting a Certificate of Status in Florida is $5, and you can submit your request online, by mail, or in person.

Certified Copies of Business Documents 

If you need certified copies of your Florida Articles of Organization or other business documents, you can request them from the Secretary of State. 

The fee for each certified copy is $30, and processing typically takes about seven days once your request is received.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Florida LLC

In addition to the initial costs of forming an LLC, there are several ongoing costs associated with maintaining your LLC in Florida.

Annual Report 

Your Florida LLC is required to file an Annual Report with the Florida Division of Corporations by May 1 each year. The purpose of this report is to keep the state updated with important information about your business, such as its current name, registered agent’s address, and the names and addresses of its members.

This report is generally submitted online through Florida’s Annual Report-Sunbiz page alongside a filing fee of $138.75. 

Having said that, a $400 late fee will be imposed on LLCs that miss this deadline, and continued non-compliance can result in the dissolvement of your business. 

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to continue using a professional registered agent service to handle your LLC’s legal and governmental correspondence, you will need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost for these services can range from $125 to $300 depending on the provider you choose and the features you need. 

While you are not required to use a professional registered agent, it is highly recommended for compliance and convenience (especially for new business owners). 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Florida Guide (DIY Approach)

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Florida LLC vs Other States

When compared to other business-friendly states, Florida is an attractive option for forming an LLC due to its relatively low initial filing fees and minimal ongoing costs. 

Regardless, you should keep in mind that (generally speaking) the best state to form your LLC is where you plan to conduct most of your business activities. 

This is because forming your LLC in your home state simplifies compliance with tax, licensing, and filing requirements, and can end up being significantly more affordable.