How Much Does Starting a Florida LLC Cost?
Legal business registration — and keeping your business in good standing — requires an investment on your part. Some of these costs are payable to the Florida Corporations Division, while others are due to other state entities or the federal government. We’ve summarized some of the most common requirements and fees here.
Note that you may need to pay Florida business license and permit fees when you first form your business, on an ongoing schedule or on an ad hoc basis. You'll find more information below.
Initial Florida LLC Filing Fee
When you register an LLC in Florida, you’ll file paperwork with the Florida Corporations Division and pay a filing fee. Here are the current Florida LLC fees and filing times:
| State Fee | State Filing Time | Expedited Filing Time |
| $125* | 3 Weeks | 2 Business Days |
| State Fee | $125* | |
| State Filing Time | 3 Weeks | |
| Expedited Filing Time | 2 Business Days |
*$100 for Articles of Organization; $25 for Registered Agent designation
When you form through Incfile, we charge the state fee to you and pay the Florida Department of State on your behalf when we file your paperwork. While the state of Florida does not offer expedited filing for LLCs, Incfile can internally expedite your order to ensure the fastest delivery to the state for filing.
Employer Identification Number
Every LLC in the U.S. should have a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN). It's provided by the Internal Revenue Service, and you use it when filing taxes, opening a business bank account and paying employees. You can get one yourself at no cost from the IRS, or we can obtain one on your behalf.
Foreign LLCs
If you want to do business in a state other than the one where your business is based, you must create a Foreign LLC.
Florida Foreign LLC
Before you can bring an arm of your business in from another state, you must request Foreign Qualification in Florida. This means the state gives you permission to conduct business there.
To request Florida Foreign LLC registration, you must complete an Application for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida and pay a fee of $125 ($100 to file and $25 for Registered Agent designation). The state may impose additional registration requirements, so contact the FL Corporations Division directly for more information and to ensure you're in compliance with state law.
Foreign Qualification to Operate in Another State
If you plan to expand your Florida LLC into another state, you’ll first need Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority from that state. This is necessary before you can conduct any business in that state, including creating a physical presence, hiring employees or opening a bank account.
You'll likely have to complete at least one application and pay a filing fee, but each state has its own requirements. Before you start the process, compare state filing times and state filing fees so you can plan accordingly.
Above all, contact the state government entity that administers business (usually the Secretary of State) to confirm their requirements and for specific instructions.
If you need assistance, or you'd simply rather let us handle everything for you, Incfile provides a complete Foreign Qualification service for all states.
Florida Annual Report Requirements
Most states require business entities to file an annual (or other periodic) report. When you file your Florida LLC annual report, you'll need to pay a filing fee. Here are the Florida annual report requirements:
Annual Report
Frequency
Annually
Due Date
May 1st
Filing Fee
$139Florida Business License and Permit Requirements
Before you start conducting business, you must secure the necessary state, federal or local business licenses and permits to run your LLC. Some of the fees will only need to be paid once, while others may be ongoing charges.
Florida business license and permit requirements vary based on:
The type of business you run (e.g., healthcare providers must meet HIPAA requirements)
The industry your LLC operates in (e.g., restaurants will need health permits)
The location of your LLC (state, county or city) (e.g., a license to conduct business in Orlando)
Operating your LLC without the required business license in Florida can leave you vulnerable to risks, such as fines from local, state and federal governments.
You can research these permits and licenses yourself, or use Incfile’s Business License Research package, which includes:
- A complete report on all the licenses, permits and tax registrations your LLC will need
- The applications you'll need to file with the local, state and federal licensing authorities
Operating Agreements
You're not legally required to have an LLC Operating Agreement in Florida.
This document includes details about how your business will be run, how managers and members will be chosen, rights and duties of members and several other key areas.
Creating a Florida LLC Operating Agreement can be extremely helpful in ensuring you’re organized and prepared for any future events that may affect your business.
You can make changes to the template based on your unique requirements.
Other Florida LLC Fees and Requirements
You may need to pay several other fees and meet various other requirements during the life of your LLC. These ad hoc fees will only be payable in certain circumstances, as listed below.
Obtaining an Assumed Name or DBA
If you want to establish a DBA in Florida (fictitious name), you must register the name online and pay a fee of $50. Or you can have Incfile do it on your behalf through our Assumed Business Name service.
The state also requires you to advertise the fictitious name you register at least once in a newspaper located in the county where your principal place of business is located.
Changing the Registered Agent
Your LLC must have a Florida Registered Agent, which you need to appoint when you file your Articles of Organization. You can also change to a new Registered Agent later by filing a Statement of Registered Agent/Registered Office Change form and paying a fee of $25.
It’s free for the first year if you work with us to form an LLC in Florida and $119 a year after.
Reserving a Name for Your LLC
If you're not quite ready to start your business, you can reserve a name for 120 days with the Florida DOS by submitting a letter to the Florida SOS and paying a fee of $25. First, conduct a Florida business search and learn the state's business naming rules to ensure you choose a name that meets legal requirements.
Amending Facts About Your LLC
Your business formation paperwork states certain facts about your business at the time it's formed. Over time, some or all of this information may change. If it does, you'll need to file Articles of Amendment with the Florida DOS along with a filing fee of $25. You can do this yourself or Incfile can do it for you.
You may want to file a Certificate of Amendment when you:
- Add, remove or change an LLC member or manager
- Alter the stated purpose and activities of your LLC
- Change your LLC's business address
Getting a Certificate of Good Standing in Florida
Some organizations may request that you prove your LLC’s compliance with laws and tax requirements. In most states, this proof is provided with a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence. In Florida, it's called a Certificate Status.
If you need to prove you've met your commitments, you’ll need to request a Florida Certificate of Status from the Corporations Division. You can do this via the state's online portal for a fee of $5.
The information listed above details many of the fees a standard LLC will be required to pay in Florida. In some circumstances, there may be other one-off, periodic or ad hoc fees not listed above.
Of course, your LLC will also probably need to pay self-employment, payroll, federal, state and other taxes. More information about taxes can be found on the Florida Business Tax page.
FAQs About Florida LLC Fees
We charge you this fee at cost and then pay it to the Secretary of State on your behalf when forming your Florida business.
>It depends on various factors including:
- Governing organizations in your industry
- Federal, state and local regulations
- Where you're located
- >The type of business you run
Many new businesses need a business license, and you may be required to obtain additional licenses and permits. Our Business License Research package can take the guesswork out of it for you and help you learn what your LLC needs to be compliant.
Launch
Your Business with Incfile
No contracts. No surprises.
Only $0 + state fee to launch your business.
Start Now