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LLC Florida—Application, Requirements, and Ongoing Maintenance
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- Immediate online access to your formation wizard, project status, and powerful integration with the secretary of state database to detect when your LLC has been approved.
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Learn how to form an LLC in Florida, meet state requirements, and manage ongoing obligations. See how Harbor Compliance can simplify the process for your business.
LLC Florida—Application, Requirements, and Ongoing Maintenance
To form an LLC in Florida, entities must file Articles of Organization with the state. However, there are several requirements to meet before submitting your Florida LLC application. You'll need to secure a registered agent to receive legal documents on your behalf and select a name that adheres to state regulations.
Your LLC does not legally exist until the state receives and processes your Articles of Organization. Also, even after formation, there are ongoing obligations you must fulfill, such as submitting annual reports and obtaining specific licenses.
This article will guide you through the Florida LLC application process. We will also demonstrate how Harbor Compliance can help you manage and form your Florida LLC.
Creating an LLC in Florida
Many business owners set up an LLC in Florida because it offers asset protection and increased credibility. The LLC structure also provides flexibility by allowing members to either manage the company themselves or appoint others.
Before your LLC can be officially created, there are several Florida LLC requirements you must meet, which include:
- Meeting Florida's naming criteria
- Designating a registered agent
- Specifying the LLC's managers and authorized representatives
Meeting Florida's Naming Criteria
The name you choose for your LLC must be distinguishable from any business existing in Florida.
Before finalizing your entity's name, it's essential to conduct a preliminary search on the Sunbiz Florida LLC records to ensure the name is available. The Florida Department of State emphasizes that business owners are responsible for any name infringements resulting from their name selection.
Furthermore, the name your entity chooses must include one of the following:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.L.C.
LLCs that offer professional services, such as accounting or medicine, must include one of the following in their names:
- Professional Limited Liability Company
- PLLC
- P.L.L.C.
Designating a Registered Agent
Every Florida LLC must have a registered agent who will receive and forward legal documents on its behalf. Florida law does not permit entities to act as their own registered agents. However, an individual affiliated with the organization or another entity can be appointed for this role.
The designated registered agent must have a physical address in Florida as P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Specifying the LLC's Managers and Authorized Representatives
LLCs in Florida are often required to list the names and addresses of individuals authorized to manage and control the business. While this is an optional requirement during formation, the Department of Financial Services and most financial institutions will expect this information to be on file with the Florida Department of State.
How To Start an LLC in Florida
Once you meet the Florida LLC requirements, the next step is applying to create an LLC in Florida. You can complete the Florida LLC registration online or by mail.
If you choose to register by mail, you’ll need to download the State of Florida LLC registration form— Articles of Organization—fill it out, and submit it with a check or money order. For online registration, you’ll be required to provide a valid form of payment, such as a credit card.
After the Department of Corporations processes your Florida LLC Articles of Organization, you will receive confirmation by mail or online, depending on how you register.
Ongoing Requirements for LLCs in Florida
After you register an LLC in Florida, your responsibilities do not end there. There are ongoing obligations you must keep track of, including:
- Submitting annual reports
- Securing and renewing necessary licenses
Submitting Annual Reports
After forming your LLC in Florida, you are required to file annual reports. These reports keep your business records up to date with the Division of Corporations and are necessary to maintain your LLC’s active status.
LLCs in Florida must file their annual reports by May 1 of the calendar year following their filing date or listed effective date, although they can be filed as early as January 1. Failing to file the annual report by the due date will result in your LLC being administratively dissolved.
New Florida LLCs formed between October 1 and December 31 that don’t plan to start business until the next calendar year can avoid filing an annual report immediately. By listing an effective date of January 1 when filing, their records will be registered with the Division of Corporations, and they can start operating from that date.
Securing and Renewing Necessary Licenses
A crucial part of the Florida LLC checklist is securing licenses from state regulatory authorities. While there is no statewide general Florida business license for LLCs or other entities, your firm may still be subject to local licensing requirements imposed by the city or county where you operate.
Additionally, depending on your Florida LLC's services, you may need to apply for industry-specific licenses. They are typically valid for a year or two. As such, you must renew them to remain in good standing.
Streamline Your Florida LLC Registration and Ongoing Maintenance With Harbor Compliance
Starting your own LLC in Florida involves meeting several key requirements, from designating a registered agent to choosing an appropriate business name.
Once your Articles of Organization form is filed and processed by the Division of Corporations, your responsibilities don’t end there—you’ll need to manage ongoing obligations such as filing annual reports and renewing licenses. Harbor Compliance provides various services to help you easily navigate and manage these responsibilities.
We have local offices across the U.S., allowing us to serve as your registered agent and receive legal correspondence on your behalf. What’s more, we offer an LLC Formation Service, so you can outsource filing your Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations to us.
Our support doesn’t end after your LLC’s formation. We offer ongoing filing services to ensure your annual reports are submitted on time, preventing your LLC from being administratively dissolved. Our Managed Annual License Service also helps secure and renew local business licenses required in various cities and counties.
Beyond that, we assist your entity in obtaining industry-specific permits and licenses, such as those required in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Once you provide us with the necessary details, we’ll take care of the rest, ensuring you easily receive your Florida LLC certificate of formation and other critical documents.
Harbor Compliance’s solutions go beyond just filing support and formation assistance. We also offer a proprietary Software Suite to help businesses manage administrative tasks.
How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Business Solutions
If you’d like to partner with us and receive assistance with your Florida LLC filings, you can easily order our LLC formation service by following these steps:
- Visit Harbor Compliance’s LLC Formation Services page.
- Select Order Online.
- Provide your contact and business information.
- Submit your request.
Additionally, if you’d like us to help you secure the licenses your LLC needs, you can order our business licensing service using these steps:
- Visit our Managed Annual License Service.
- Click on Order Online.
- Fill out the form with your business details and contact information.
- Submit your order.
To schedule a demo session with the team to see how our Software Suite can help with entity management, fill out this form .
Harbor Compliance’s Additional Services
Harbor Compliance’s solutions extend beyond LLC filing, registered agent services, and the Software Suite. We also offer ongoing filing support to help your entity meet various regulatory requirements. Below is a table outlining the services we offer:
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Tax registration | |
| Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting | |
| Nonprofit formation | |
| Document filing and retrieval | |
| Entity lifecycle management |
LLC Florida FAQs
Below, we’ll address frequently asked questions about opening an LLC in Florida. To learn more, visit our Information Center.
To file for an LLC in Florida, you must designate a registered agent and select a name that adheres to Florida's naming requirements. Additionally, many financial institutions and the Department of Financial Services will require you to specify the names and addresses of authorized representatives within your LLC.
After meeting the requirements, you can form your Florida LLC by submitting your Articles of Organization to Florida’s Division of Corporations online or by mail.
In Florida, forming an LLC requires initial filing fees ranging from $100 to $160, depending on whether you request a Certified Copy and Certificate of Status. Licensing fees differ depending on the regulatory authority and the nature of your entity's services.
Partnering With Harbor Compliance To Set Up a Florida LLC
To form an LLC in Florida, you must first meet specific requirements. Even after you file your Articles of Organization and your LLC is given an effective date, your regulatory responsibilities don’t end there.
You must file annual reports and stay up-to-date with state, city, or county licensing requirements. Harbor Compliance provides comprehensive filing support and different software modules to help you manage these ongoing tasks. Order our LLC Formation to start your Florida LLC journey and opt for the Managed Annual Business License Service to secure the necessary licenses.
Want to check your company’s regulatory standing? Use the Harbor Compliance Score™ and evaluate your entity’s status for FREE. Reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to take advantage of our other services.
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