Law Topics / Business Formation
How to File an LLC or Corporation in Florida on Sunbiz — and Be Your Own Registered Agent
You do not need a national filing service or a monthly subscription to form a Florida business. The State of Florida lets you file directly online at Sunbiz.org, usually in under half an hour. And if you live in Florida, you can serve as your own registered agent — sparing yourself the recurring annual fee that commercial agent services charge year after year.
What Is Sunbiz?
Sunbiz.org is the official website of the Florida Division of Corporations, a part of the Florida Department of State. It is the single portal where every Florida business is formed and maintained. Through Sunbiz you can check whether your business name is available, file your formation documents, pay your fees by credit card, download a stamped copy of your filing, and later file your required Annual Report. There is no separate "membership" — you pay only the state's filing fee for the document you submit.
First decide: LLC or Corporation?
Most small Florida businesses choose a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for its simplicity and flexible taxation. A for-profit Corporation (a "C-corp" or, after an IRS election, an "S-corp") is often chosen by businesses planning to issue stock to investors or follow a formal board structure. Both give you the same core benefit: a legal wall between your personal assets and your business liabilities. The filing process below works the same way for either one — only the form name and the fee differ.
Step 1 — Search Your Business Name
Before you file, confirm your desired name is not already taken. On Sunbiz, use the Search Records → Search by Entity Name tool. Florida requires that your name be distinguishable from every other registered entity, and that it carry the correct ending:
- An LLC name must end with "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC."
- A Corporation name must include a corporate suffix such as "Corporation," "Corp.," "Incorporated," or "Inc." (A for-profit corporation may use "Company" or "Co."; a nonprofit may not.)
Florida no longer offers name reservations — the name is claimed when your formation document is accepted, so file promptly once you confirm availability. You are responsible for avoiding trademark infringement, so a quick check beyond Sunbiz is wise.
Step 2 — File Your Formation Document Online
From the Sunbiz home page, choose Start a Business → e-File, then select your entity type:
- An LLC files Articles of Organization (governed by Chapter 605, Florida Statutes).
- A for-profit Corporation files Articles of Incorporation (governed by Chapter 607, Florida Statutes).
The online form walks you through each required field. You will be asked to provide:
- Effective date (optional). Leave blank and your entity becomes active the day Florida approves it. You may set a date up to 5 business days in the past or up to 90 days in the future.
- Principal place of business and mailing address. This can be your home, your office, or even an out-of-state address.
- Registered agent and registered office. The person or company who will receive legal papers, with a physical Florida street address (see the next section — this is where Florida residents save money).
- Management / governance. An LLC lists its authorized members or managers; a corporation lists its officers/directors, its incorporator, and the number of shares it is authorized to issue.
- Correspondence email and signature. An authorized person types their name, which serves as a legal electronic signature under § 15.16, F.S.
- Pay the filing fee by credit card and submit.
If you file online and pay by card, your document is typically reviewed and posted within a few business days; paper filings by mail take considerably longer. Once posted, you can download a free stamped image of your filed document directly from Sunbiz — that is your proof of formation.
Step 3 — Know the Fees
You pay the state once, up front, when you file. There is no charge to create an account and no recurring platform fee.
| Item | LLC (Articles of Organization) | For-Profit Corporation (Articles of Incorporation) |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (total) | $125 ($100 filing + $25 registered-agent designation) | $70 ($35 filing + $35 registered-agent designation) |
| Certified copy (optional) | $30 | $8.75 |
| Certificate of Status (optional) | $5 | $8.75 |
| Annual Report (every year thereafter) | $138.75 | $150 |
The optional Certificate of Status and Certified Copy are not required to form your business — you only need them if a bank or another agency specifically requests one.
Be Your Own Registered Agent — and Stop Paying a Yearly Fee
Every Florida LLC and corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent — the official point of contact who accepts service of process (lawsuits) and state notices on the entity's behalf. Under § 605.0113 (LLCs) and § 607.0501 (corporations), Florida Statutes, the agent must be one of the following:
- An individual who resides in Florida, or
- A Florida or foreign entity authorized to do business here.
The agent must have a physical Florida street address (a P.O. box does not qualify) and be available there during normal business hours.
Here is the part the national filing services rarely emphasize: if you are a Florida resident, the law lets you name yourself as your own registered agent. The owner, a member, or an officer of the business can serve, as long as you meet the residency and physical-address requirements. On the online form, you simply type your own name in the registered-agent signature block.
The honest math on the savings
The $25 (LLC) or $35 (corporation) "registered-agent designation fee" is part of the state filing fee and is owed no matter who serves as your agent — naming yourself does not erase that one-time line item. What you avoid is the recurring annual fee a commercial registered-agent service charges, commonly $100–$150 every single year for the life of your business. Over ten years that is roughly $1,000–$1,500 in fees a qualifying Florida resident never has to pay. There is simply no requirement to hire a third party to do something you are legally allowed to do yourself.
When you might still want a third-party agent
Serving as your own agent is the right call for most Florida residents who run their business from a stable in-state address. A paid service can still make sense in a few situations: if you do not have a permanent Florida address, if you travel frequently and might not be present during business hours, or if you want to keep your home address off the public record — because the registered office address appears in Sunbiz's public database. If your situation later changes, you can switch agents at any time by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Registered Office for a $25 fee under § 605.0114, F.S.
Step 4 — Don't Forget the Annual Report
Forming the business is a one-time event; keeping it alive is an annual one. Every Florida LLC and corporation must file an Annual Report on Sunbiz between January 1 and May 1 of each year following formation. This is not a financial statement — it simply confirms or updates your addresses, agent, and management. Miss the May 1 deadline and the state imposes a flat $400 late fee on for-profit corporations and LLCs (this penalty cannot be waived), and continued failure to file leads to administrative dissolution. Mark the deadline now.
Step 5 — After You File
Two common follow-ups are worth noting:
- Get a free EIN from the IRS. If your business will hire employees, open a bank account, or be taxed as a corporation, you will need a federal Employer Identification Number. You can get one at no cost directly from IRS.gov — be wary of third-party sites that charge a fee for this free service.
- Open a separate business bank account. Keeping business and personal funds separate is essential to preserving the liability protection your new entity provides.
Want the paperwork done right the first time?
Filing yourself is entirely doable — but if you'd rather have your Articles of Organization or Incorporation prepared and reviewed for Florida's exact requirements, JusticeXpress Florida can help you complete your formation documents without the cost of a full-service law firm.
Explore Business Formation DocumentsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I really be my own registered agent in Florida?
Yes. If you are an individual who resides in Florida and have a physical Florida street address where you are available during business hours, § 605.0113 (LLCs) and § 607.0501 (corporations) allow you to serve as your own registered agent. There is no legal requirement to hire a paid service.
How long does it take to form a Florida LLC or corporation?
Online filings paid by credit card are usually reviewed and posted within a few business days. Paper filings submitted by mail take significantly longer because of processing order and mail transit time.
What is the difference in cost between an LLC and a corporation?
As of June 2026, a Florida LLC costs $125 to form and a for-profit corporation costs $70. However, the recurring Annual Report fee is higher for corporations ($150) than for LLCs ($138.75).
Can my registered office be a P.O. box?
No. The registered office must be a physical Florida street address. A P.O. box is not acceptable, although you may use a separate mailing address for general correspondence.
Do I need a certified copy or certificate of status?
Not to form your business. These optional documents are only needed when a bank, lender, or another state specifically requests proof of your good standing.
JusticeXpress Florida provides legal information and self-help document preparation services. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. This article explains general Florida filing procedures and fees current as of June 2026; fees and statutes are subject to change, so verify current requirements at Sunbiz.org before filing. If you need advice about which entity structure is right for your situation, consult a licensed Florida attorney or tax professional.