Florida lesson 3 of 6
File the Articles of Organization
Florida's formation document is the Articles of Organization, filed through Sunbiz for a total of $125, made up of a $100 filing fee and a $25 registered agent designation fee.
What the Articles ask for
You provide the LLC name, its principal office and mailing address, the registered agent's name and Florida street address with the agent's signed acceptance, whether the LLC is member managed or manager managed, and the names and addresses of the managers or managing members, who become part of the public record.
- Florida requires manager or managing member names in the filing itself, unlike some states that keep this off the public formation document
- An effective date can be set up to five business days before or ninety days after the filing
Fees and filing route
Online filing through Sunbiz is the standard route, alongside filing by mail to the Division of Corporations in Tallahassee. There is no separate state-run expedite tier for LLC formations the way some states offer.
After approval
Sunbiz assigns a document number that identifies your LLC in every future filing, including the annual report. Keep it, along with a copy of the filed Articles. An operating agreement is not filed with the state, but Florida law lets it override many default rules that would otherwise apply.
Key takeaways
- Total cost is $125: a $100 filing fee plus a $25 registered agent fee.
- Manager or managing member names appear on the public Articles of Organization.
- Save the Sunbiz document number for every future filing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Florida to form a Florida LLC?
No. There is no residency requirement for members or managers. Only the registered agent must have a Florida street address.
Is an operating agreement required in Florida?
It is not filed with the state, but it is the document that sets out ownership, voting and profit shares. Without one, the default rules in Chapter 605 apply.
Official sources
Or let us file your Florida LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team