How to File the Florida LLC Articles of Organization
The Florida Articles of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File the Florida LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Florida Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Florida LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization Forms
- File the Articles of Organization Forms
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your Florida Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Articles of Organization
Option 1: Follow the link below to find the Articles of Organization online. You must accept the terms and conditions before starting a new filing.
Access Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Florida Sunbiz website. This form will need to be mailed to the New Filing Section of the Division of Corporations or submitted in-person.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out The Articles Of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Florida Articles of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete each section:
- Entity Name and Address
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
- Effective Date
Entity Name and Address
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- meets Florida naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Florida.
Follow the Florida Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Your name cannot contain language implying that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose or one not stated in its articles of organization.
- Your name cannot contain language implying that the LLC is connected with a state or federal government agency or corporation.
- In some states, certain restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state, except for certain fictitious name registrations, general partnership registrations, and limited liability partnership statements.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Florida? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a Florida name search on Florida’s SunBiz website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Florida guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your Florida LLC, you are required to list your registered agent and your registered office.
Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Florida. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours. Your registered office address cannot be a P.O. box.
In addition to listing your registered agent and registered office, your registered agent must consent to their appointment by signing the Articles of Organization form either physically or electronically. If filing online, your registered agent must fill out the "Registered Agent Signature" section themselves or give the filer permission to fill out that section on their behalf.
To learn more about choosing a Florida registered agent, read our How to Choose a Florida Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Governing Authority
When filing on Sunbiz or by mail, you will be asked for the name and address of person(s) authorized to manage your Florida LLC. Only LLC managers should be listed here.
If you leave the “person(s) authorized to manage your LLC” section blank, the state will assume your LLC is member-managed and member privacy will be completely protected.
If your LLC will be manager-managed, only the manager’s name is required unless the manager is a company or an authorized representative (such as a registered agent service.) By providing only necessary information, you will protect the privacy of your LLC managers.
When you open a business banking account, the bank may require you to list the name of at least one authorized representative (AR). This can be a manager or member in your Articles of Organization.
You have until the due date of your LLCs first annual report to decide how your LLC will be managed. Read our guide about member-managed and manager-managed LLCs before you file
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
Effective Date
If an effective date is listed, the date must be specific and cannot be more than five business days prior to or 90 calendar days after the date of filing.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your Florida LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the forms online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in-person.
File the Florida Articles of Organization
Option 1: File online by reading and accepting the terms and conditions. Then, fill out the required fields and submit.
File Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Florida Sunbiz website.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $125
Mail to:
New Filing Section, Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Submit In Person:
New Filing Section, Division of Corporations
Clifton Building
2661 Executive Center Circle
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Turnaround Time: Processing time varies, but it can take two weeks or more depending on demand.
Steps After Your Florida LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A Florida LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Florida, you aren’t required to have an Operating Agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC’s private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business' corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with Florida's Business Licensing website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Florida Quick Links
Florida Document Processing Dates
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.