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How to start an LLC in Florida: checklist (2026)

To start an LLC in Florida, file the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (CR2E047) with the Florida Division of Corporations for $125, name a registered agent, get a free EIN and check your local licenses. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, does the filing, the agent, the EIN application and the report for $199 a year.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Florida checklist

  1. File the formation document. Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (CR2E047), Florida Division of Corporations, $125.
  2. Name a registered agent. Required. A Florida resident, or a business entity authorized in Florida, whose business address is the registered office. The agent files a written acceptance.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. We could not confirm a general-license statement from Florida’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.
  5. Keep it current. Annual Report, yearly: $138.75, due may 1.
Best overall in Florida

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, same at renewal

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?

The state filing fee is $125 for the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (CR2E047). The first Annual Report later costs $138.75.

Do I need a registered agent in Florida?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Do I need a business license in Florida?

We could not confirm a general-license statement from Florida’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.

Sources