LLC Formation in Florida (2026): 7 Moves and the 3 Best LLC Services
Short answer for Florida, 2026: use FL Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Florida Registered Agent.io ($199), ranked best to worst, if you want help starting an LLC. Florida takes $125 at filing and expects the annual report every year. 7 moves cover it.
Each company's listed price on November 13, 2026. Each row still needs Florida's $125 fee.
The primer, move by move
Move 1
Make sure the name is yours to use
Start at the Florida Division of Corporations: its business records show whether a Florida company already uses your name.
A spare name saves a redo.
Move 2
Put a registered agent in place
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Florida resident, or a business entity authorized in Florida, whose business address is the registered office. The agent files a written acceptance.
The address has to be a Florida street address that matches the agent's business address. P.O. boxes are not accepted. Florida law sets minimum hours of 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Any service we rank here can serve as your registered agent.
Where this comes from:flsenate.gov, read October 2026
Move 3
File yourself or pay a service
$125 goes to the state regardless. A service costs $199 extra; the ranking shows who to use.
Move 4
Finish and lodge the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company
This is the filing that creates the company: the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047), sent to the Florida Division of Corporations with $125 (Fla. Stat. § 605.0201).
Where this comes from:flsenate.gov, read October 2026
Move 5
Order the LLC's federal tax ID
With the state's approval in hand, request an EIN so the LLC can open accounts of its own. Mainstay Filing files the EIN application inside the package.
Move 6
Write an operating agreement
The operating agreement says who owns the Florida LLC and how decisions get made. Keep it with your records; the state never sees it.
Move 7
Keep the LLC active
Every year the LLC files the annual report and pays $138.75; deadline May 1. File late and add $400.
Where this comes from:flsenate.gov, read October 2026
What each move costs in Florida
Line
Paid to
Cost
Forming the LLC
To the state
$125
Annual report
To the state
$138.75 every year
Late report
To the state
$400
Filing service (optional)
The service
$199 to begin
State total, three years
To the state
$402.50
Filing plus the reports in years two and three plus any minimum tax: that is the state's three-year total. Sources are listed below.
Why FL Registered Agent.org is first
Founder outlay over three years is 27% of the mark, and it is where moved ahead in Florida.
FL Registered Agent.org totals $397 across three years, saving $200 next to Mainstay Filing.
Common questions
What does Florida charge for a new LLC?
The state fee is $125. Hire help and add $199.
Which form creates the LLC?
The Florida Division of Corporations takes the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047), the paper that forms the company.
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does Florida require each year?
File the annual report every year, $138.75; deadline May 1.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
Allowed. File yourself for $125 and arrange a registered agent.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
FL Registered Agent.org, since $199 to file, then $99 a year to keep the agent. Then Mainstay Filing and Florida Registered Agent.io.
Proof for Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: the claims lean on dos.fl.gov, which we last read in August 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: the claims lean on dos.fl.gov, which we last read in August 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: the claims lean on flsenate.gov, which we last read in October 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida report due date: the claims lean on leg.state.fl.us, which we last read in August 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Fla: the claims lean on flsenate.gov, which we last read in August 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the claims lean on dos.fl.gov, which we last read in October 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the claims lean on flsenate.gov, which we last read in October 2026. Open it and compare.
Proof for Florida registered agent statute: the claims lean on flsenate.gov, which we last read in October 2026. Open it and compare.
The pricing page from FL Registered Agent.org, November 13, 2026
The Florida service page from Mainstay Filing, November 13, 2026
The pricing page from Florida Registered Agent.io, November 13, 2026