The state of Florida charges $125 to create an LLC. That’s the whole bill if you file it yourself, and it’s the number to remember when you’re learning how to start an LLC in Florida. According to the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), it’s a $100 filing fee plus a $25 registered agent designation fee.
You file online. You don’t need a formation company, though a paid service is optional and can save you time.
This guide walks through each step, the real costs, and the yearly report that keeps your LLC active. Fees were checked on official Florida government sites on October 11, 2026. State fees can change, so confirm on Sunbiz before you pay.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- According to the Florida Division of Corporations, the state fee to form an LLC is $125 ($100 filing fee + $25 registered agent designation fee).
- An EIN is free from the IRS at IRS.gov. You never have to pay for one.
- Florida LLC annual reports are due each year between January 1 and May 1 (Florida Division of Corporations, Sunbiz.org).
- Miss May 1 and the report costs $538.75. Miss the third Friday in September and Florida can administratively dissolve your LLC.
- A formation service is optional. It adds its own fee on top of the $125.
Florida LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (filing fee + registered agent designation) | $125 ($100 + $25) | When you form the LLC |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | When you need it |
| Annual report | $138.75 | Every year by May 1 |
| Late annual report | $538.75 ($138.75 + $400 late fee) | After May 1 |
Sources: Sunbiz LLC fees, Sunbiz annual report, and IRS.gov.
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The state’s $125 is unavoidable, and the $138.75 annual report comes around every year after.
How to Start an LLC in Florida: 7 Steps
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC needs a name that isn’t already taken by another Florida entity. Use the business name search on Sunbiz, the Division of Corporations website, to see what’s already registered. Check Sunbiz for its current naming rules before you commit. That includes required wording like “LLC” and any restricted words.
A few quick tips:
- Search variations of your name, not only the exact spelling.
- Check whether a matching web domain and social handles are available.
- Don’t print business cards or buy a sign until the state accepts your filing.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive official legal and government mail for your LLC. Your agent needs a physical address in Florida where they can be reached during business hours.
You have three common options:
- Yourself, if you have a Florida street address and you’re available. Your address becomes part of the public record.
- Someone you trust, such as a family member or business partner in Florida who agrees to take the role.
- A commercial registered agent service, which charges its own fee. It also keeps your home address off the public record.
The $25 on the state’s fee schedule is the registered agent designation fee. It’s a state fee, not payment to an agent. Any fee from a hired agent is separate.
3. File the Articles of Organization with Sunbiz
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. You file it with the Florida Division of Corporations, which runs Sunbiz. Typical information includes your LLC’s name, its principal and mailing addresses, your registered agent’s name and Florida address, and whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.
A member is an owner of the LLC. A manager is someone appointed to run day-to-day operations. In a one-person LLC, you’re usually the sole member and run it yourself, which is called “member-managed.”
Here’s a quick scenario. Say you’re forming a one-person consulting LLC. You search your name on Sunbiz, list yourself as registered agent using your Florida address, file online, and pay $125. That’s the full state cost to form it.
Processing times and optional add-ons change often, so check Sunbiz for the current online filing process before you start.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC is owned and run. It covers who owns what percentage, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if someone leaves.
It’s typically kept with your business records rather than filed with the Articles of Organization. Even a single-member LLC benefits from one, because it documents that you treat the LLC as a separate business. Banks sometimes ask to see it. If you have partners, a written agreement matters even more because it settles disputes before they start.
Free templates exist. A lawyer can customize one if your situation is complex, such as multiple owners with unequal contributions.
5. Get your free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a federal tax ID for your business, like a Social Security number for the LLC. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply only on IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EIN applications are third parties, not the IRS. You’ll typically need your LLC to exist first, so do this after your Articles are approved.
Whether you need an EIN depends on your situation, such as having employees or multiple members. Many owners get one anyway for banking and to avoid handing out their Social Security number to clients. For how your LLC is taxed and whether an S corporation election makes sense, see our LLC vs. S corp guide.
6. Open a business bank account
Keeping business and personal money separate is one of the most practical ways to show your LLC is its own entity. Bring your approved Articles of Organization, your EIN confirmation, and your operating agreement if the bank asks for it.
If you want an online-first account built for small businesses and freelancers, Novo is one option to compare alongside your local bank or credit union. Check each provider’s current fees and requirements before you open an account.
7. File your annual report on time
Florida’s Division of Corporations has an annual report for your LLC. This is the step people forget, and it’s the costliest one to miss. The details are in the good-standing section below.
For the full formation sequence in any state, see our 7-step overview.
How to Start an LLC in Florida Yourself vs. With a Formation Service
Here’s the formation cost both ways:
| Route | State fee | Service fee | Formation total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY through Sunbiz | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Formation service | $125 | Varies by provider and package | $125 + service fee |
The state fee is the same either way. A service can’t reduce it. Service fees vary by company and package, so check the provider’s current pricing page.
What a Formation Service Can Add
Doing it yourself works well for a simple, one-owner LLC. A service can be worth it when you value:
- Time and guidance: a guided questionnaire that fills out and submits the filing for you.
- Bundled extras: document templates, a registered agent, or compliance reminders.
- Convenience: one dashboard for your formation documents.
Bizee is one formation service that offers this kind of guided filing. Read the package details closely. Some add-ons, like an EIN filing, are things you can do yourself for free. If you’re weighing options, our formation service comparison goes deeper.
What You Can Skip
- Paying anyone to get your EIN. The IRS provides it free.
- Rush or “premium” packages you don’t need. Confirm any expedite options directly on Sunbiz.
- Extras you can create yourself, such as a basic operating agreement.
Keeping Your Florida LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC happens once. Staying active means filing the annual report every year.
According to the Florida Division of Corporations:
- The annual report fee is $138.75, due every year by May 1.
- Reports received after May 1 cost $538.75, which is the $138.75 fee plus a $400 late fee.
- Not filing by the third Friday in September leads to administrative dissolution.
That late fee is nearly three times the report itself.
So set a calendar reminder the day you form. Here’s a simple routine:
- Put “Florida annual report” on your calendar for early April, well before May 1.
- Confirm your registered agent and addresses are current on Sunbiz.
- File through the Division’s online annual report system.
- Save the confirmation with your LLC records.
Check Sunbiz for anything specific to your first year, such as when your first report is due after formation. That detail isn’t covered here.
Comparing costs against other states? See our LLC filing fees by state breakdown.
Your Do-It-Today Checklist
- Search your name on Sunbiz.
- Decide on a registered agent with a Florida address.
- File the Articles of Organization and pay the $125 fee.
- Write your operating agreement.
- Get your free EIN at IRS.gov.
- Open a business bank account.
- Mark May 1 on your calendar for the $138.75 annual report.
FAQ: Starting an LLC in Florida
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
The state filing fee is $125, according to the Florida Division of Corporations. That’s a $100 filing fee plus a $25 registered agent designation fee. A formation service or commercial registered agent adds its own optional fees.
Is it really free to start an LLC in Florida?
Not entirely. The $125 state fee is required. “Free” means you can skip the middleman fee by filing directly with Sunbiz. The EIN is also free from the IRS.
How much is the Florida LLC annual report?
Florida LLC annual reports are due each year between January 1 and May 1, according to the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz.org). The fee is $138.75. After May 1 it costs $538.75, which includes a $400 late fee.
What happens if I don’t file my annual report?
Per the Division of Corporations, not filing by the third Friday in September leads to administrative dissolution. On top of the late fee, that puts your LLC’s active status at risk, so file by May 1.
Do I need to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free and never have to pay a fee. Apply only at IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Ready to see the full picture? Read our guide on how to incorporate your business for free in 2026, then come back and file with Sunbiz.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
