How to Register Your Florida LLC Using Sunbiz.org

Florida offers entrepreneurs a wealth of opportunities. With a thriving economy and a gross state product (GSP) of $1.647 trillion, it’s one of the country’s prime locations for launching limited liability companies (LLC).

Moreover, the state’s LLC formation is relatively easy. It requires minimal paperwork and features a streamlined filing process, courtesy of Sunbiz.org.

Sunbiz.org is Florida’s official online portal for business filings and registration. It’s designed to simplify the process of forming and managing Florida LLCs.

Below, we’ll outline the step-by-step process of registering an LLC through Sunbiz.org and explore its average processing time and filing fees.

By the end of this blog, you’ll be able to start your Florida LLC formation in no time.

What is Sunbiz.org?

Sunbiz.org is the official website of Florida’s Division of Corporations. It was designed to streamline the state’s incorporation and maintenance of business entities. 

The website contains all the documents and forms you’ll need to register a Florida LLC. You can also file your formation documents and pay your filing fees on the portal. 

Aside from LLC formation, Florida’s Sunbiz.org also comes with several other useful features that make maintaining LLCs easier, such as:

• Annual report filings.
• Amendment filings
• Dissolution filings.
• Updating EINs.
• Obtaining certifications.

Ultimately, Sunbiz.org is your comprehensive online resource for forming and managing your Florida LLC. 

How to Register A Florida LLC Through Sunbiz.org

Thanks to Sunbiz.org, forming Florida LLCs has never been easier. Here’s how you can register your business through the portal:

Name Your LLC

Like most states, Florida requires its LLCs to have a unique name that is not similar to any existing business name registered within the state. So, before you finalize your LLC’s name, you must check its availability using Sunbiz.org’s Lookup tool.

Aside from this, your LLC’s name should also meet the following requirements:

• It must include the words “limited liability company” or an abbreviation of its equivalent.
• It must not contain words that pertain to a connection to a government agency.
• It must not contain restricted terms that require additional licenses from regulating agencies.

Suppose you haven’t completed your requirements yet but are worried about losing your name to another business. In that case, you can reserve it by submitting a letter to the Florida Secretary of State and paying a $25 fee.

How long does it take for Sunbiz to process LLC applications? Sunbiz’s processing time for LLC formation is 1-2 business days. This estimation does not include the time it takes for your documents to arrive in your mail.

It’s also worth noting that Florida does not have expedited filings. Sunbiz’s processing time is the shortest that you can expect.

Hire A Registered Agent

A registered agent is a person or company designated to receive legal correspondence on behalf of your Florida LLC.

You can assign anyone to be your LLC’s registered agent if they’re 18 or older and have a physical street address within the state. They must also be available to receive legal correspondence during regular business hours.

File Your Articles of Organization

The articles of organization are the primary documents you must file to register your Florida LLC. To complete the form, you must provide the following information:

• Your LLC’s name and principal place of business.
• The name and address of your LLC’s registered agent.
• The names and addresses of your LLC’s members and managers.
• Your LLC’s management structure.
• The purpose of your LLC’s formation.
• The duration of your LLC, if applicable.

When you upload your articles of organization on Sunbiz.org, you must pay a $125 filing fee, which includes a $25 registered agent fee.

Wait For Your Certificate

Once the Florida Division of Corporations approves your application, they will issue a certificate confirming the existence of your LLC. You’ll need this certificate to get your Employer Identification Number (EIN), open bank accounts, and do other similar activities.

Get Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify businesses. It’s primarily used to file taxes, open business bank accounts, and hire employees. You can get your EIN for free via the IRS website or mail.

Get Your Florida Business License

Depending on the type of business you want to conduct, your Florida LLC may have to obtain additional business licenses and permits. These include zoning permits, professional licenses, and a business tax permit.

Visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website to check which licenses your LLC will need.

Draft Your LLC’s Operating Agreement

Although Florida’s laws do not require LLCs to draft and file operating agreements, having one is recommended.

An operating agreement contains the rules and regulations that govern your LLC. It acts as your roadmap, ensuring your business operates smoothly and legally.

Operating agreements are drafted based on the needs and goals of the LLC, meaning its contents vary from one business to another. But they typically include the following information:

• The LLC’s purpose.  
• The LLC’s procedures for admitting new members and holding votes.
• The LLC’s dissolution terms.
• Each LLC member’s ownership stake in the company, voting rights, and profit sharing.

Since operating agreements are legally binding documents, you should work with a lawyer when creating your first draft. Your lawyer will ensure the agreement complies with state laws and protects each member’s rights.

Is It More Affordable to Form a Florida LLC Yourself?

Truthfully, you can cut your costs by forming your Florida LLC yourself. However, this strategy can lead to mistakes and inaccurate filings, which could cost you even more in the long run.

Fortunately, some companies offer free LLC formation assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs; take Inc. Authority, for example.

Inc. Authority offers free LLC formation assistance to business owners nationwide, including those who live in the Sunny State.

We have a team of business formation experts who will guide you through using Florida’s Sunbiz.org free of charge.

At Inc. Authority, we understand how expensive it can be to establish an LLC. So, to help our clients out, we’ve made our services free. We will waive our overhead charges and service fees when you work with us. This way, you only have to worry about Florida’s filing fees.

To learn more about our free LLC formation services, visit our website here.