How Much Does an LLC Cost in Florida?
The Florida LLC cost starts at $125 in required state filing fees when you file directly with the Florida Division of Corporations. That includes the Articles of Organization filing fee and the required registered-agent designation fee. Optional documents, commercial services, licenses, and future annual reports can increase the total.
Updated September 2026. Florida filing fees can change, so verify current amounts with the Florida Division of Corporations before filing.
Florida LLC Cost at a Glance
If you are trying to budget for a new Florida LLC, separate the required government fees from optional documents and private services. The state fee itself is straightforward.
| Florida LLC filing item | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 | Yes |
| Registered Agent Designation | $25 | Yes |
| Certified Copy | $30 | No |
| Certificate of Status | $5 | No |
That makes the minimum required Florida LLC cost $125.
You can verify these amounts on the official Florida Division of Corporations LLC fee schedule .
Why Does Florida Sometimes Show a $160 LLC Total?
The Florida LLC cost can look higher on Sunbiz because optional documents are sometimes included in the displayed total.
Florida's filing information may show a total of $160 because that figure includes both optional documents:
- $125 required formation fees
- $30 optional certified copy
- $5 optional certificate of status
Together, those equal $160. But the certified copy and certificate of status are specifically identified by Florida as optional.
If all you are calculating is the state's required cost to form the LLC, the number to remember is $125.
If you are ready to file, see our complete guide to registering an LLC in Florida .
What Does It Cost to Maintain a Florida LLC?
The Florida LLC cost does not end with formation.
Florida LLCs are required to file an annual report to maintain active status with the Division of Corporations. The current LLC annual report fee is $138.75.
The filing period runs from January 1 through May 1 in the calendar year following formation. If the annual report is received after May 1, Florida adds a $400 late fee, making the total $538.75.
| Ongoing filing | Cost |
|---|---|
| Florida LLC annual report | $138.75 |
| Annual report received after May 1 | $538.75 total |
| Amended annual report | $50 |
See the Florida LLC Annual Report Deadline guide for the filing window, current fee, and official Sunbiz link.
Do You Have to Pay for a Registered Agent Service?
Florida requires an LLC to designate a registered agent, but that does not automatically mean you need to buy a commercial registered-agent service.
Florida states that an individual or principal associated with the business may serve as the registered agent. The registered agent must have a physical Florida street address. The LLC itself cannot serve as its own registered agent.
If you meet the requirements and serve yourself, there may be no separate commercial service charge. If you hire a registered-agent company, its price is a private business expense and is separate from Florida's required $25 registered-agent filing fee.
Review Florida's official LLC filing instructions before deciding who to designate.
Is an EIN Free for a Florida LLC?
Yes. The IRS issues Employer Identification Numbers directly at no charge.
Some third-party websites charge people to obtain an EIN, but the IRS specifically states that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
The IRS also recommends forming your LLC with the state before applying for the EIN.
Use the official IRS EIN application rather than paying simply for access to the federal application.
Other Costs That Are Not Included in the $125 Florida LLC Fee
The $125 figure is the required Florida state formation fee. It is not a complete startup budget.
Business licenses or permits
Requirements depend on the work you perform, your location, and the agencies that regulate the business. Costs therefore vary by business.
Professional help
Attorney, accountant, tax-preparation, or formation-service charges are private professional fees and are not included in Florida's state filing fee.
Registered-agent service
Hiring a commercial agent is a separate optional service expense when an eligible individual or principal could otherwise serve.
Domain and website
Your business domain, website, email, and hosting are separate from LLC formation but are part of establishing the business online.
Before spending money on the website side, you can review domain registration and website hosting for small business.
Example: What Does It Cost to Form a Florida LLC?
Suppose you form a Florida LLC directly through Sunbiz and do not purchase the optional certified copy or certificate of status.
| Item | Example cost |
|---|---|
| Required Florida formation fees | $125 |
| EIN obtained directly from IRS | $0 |
| Optional certified copy | $0 if not requested |
| Optional certificate of status | $0 if not requested |
In that example, the Florida LLC cost for required government formation fees is $125.
Your first Florida annual report is due in the calendar year after the LLC is formed. That report is a separate future filing expense.
If you are still working through the full startup sequence, use our How to Start a Business in Florida guide .
How to Avoid Paying More Than You Need To
- Know which Florida filing fees are required and which documents are optional.
- Apply for an EIN directly through IRS.gov instead of paying for access to the federal application.
- Decide whether you actually need a paid registered-agent service.
- File your Florida LLC annual report by May 1 to avoid the $400 late fee.
- Use official government sources to verify current filing costs before submitting payment.
The goal is not simply to form the LLC as cheaply as possible. It is to understand what you are paying for and avoid unnecessary charges while building the business correctly.
Florida LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
The required Florida state formation fees currently total $125: $100 for the Articles of Organization and $25 for the registered-agent designation.
Why does Sunbiz sometimes show $160?
The $160 total includes the $125 required fees plus a $30 certified copy and a $5 certificate of status. Florida identifies those two additional documents as optional.
Is the $125 Florida LLC fee annual?
No. The $125 is the formation filing cost. Florida LLCs have a separate annual report requirement. The current LLC annual report fee is $138.75.
What happens if I file the Florida annual report after May 1?
Florida imposes a $400 late fee. The current total for an LLC annual report received after May 1 is $538.75.
Does an EIN cost money?
No. An EIN is free when obtained directly from the IRS.
Do I have to hire a registered-agent company?
Not necessarily. Florida allows an individual or principal associated with the business to serve if the registered-agent requirements are met. The LLC itself cannot serve as its own registered agent.
Know the Cost. Then Build the Business.
LLC formation is one step in the larger startup process. If you are ready to move forward, start with the complete How to Register an LLC in Florida guide .
Still deciding whether the business itself makes sense? Assess your business idea first.
ABX Apps provides educational business information and links to official resources. This page is not legal, accounting, or tax advice.