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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 3 · Florida

Foreign LLC Registration Chapter, Florida (2026): 5 Sections and the 3 Best Services

Florida readers who want help registering an LLC formed elsewhere in 2026 should look at Florida Registered Agent.io ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and FL Registered Agent.org ($199), in the order given. Expect 5 sections and one fee of $125.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key facts for this chapter

Registration fee $125 Source text at flsenate.gov, October 2026
Proof of good standing 90 days Maximum age at filing
Report fee $138.75 Annual report
State cost, years 1 to 3 $402.50 Service fees excluded
Number of sections 5 First to last

You will be able to explain

  • When an LLC from elsewhere must register in Florida
  • The official form and fee
  • Recurring obligations
  • Who to consider for filing

Who we recommend in Florida

Three-year cost and paperwork completed carry the most weight; how we grade lists all five.

1. Florida Registered Agent.io: best for one more state

Recommended first
Service $199; renewal $99 a year

In Florida, Florida Registered Agent.io heads the list: registering with Florida through this service costs $199 and includes a year of agent service; renewal is $99.

Mainstay Filing costs more across three years, so this service takes first place.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • Then $99 per year
  • First-year agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • Serves Florida alone
Visit Florida Registered Agent.io Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Mainstay Filing: best for one provider for both states

Handles the most paperwork
Service $199; renewal $149 a year

Mainstay Filing takes second position; $199 above the state fee in any state; the registered agent costs nothing the first year, then $149 yearly.

A three-year difference of $100 from Florida Registered Agent.io sets its position.

Year two brings a charge for the agent, $149 a year, and it is the same in every state.

Price covers

  • Registration paperwork completed
  • The registered agent carries no charge in year one
  • The same price in every state

Advantages

  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 above the state fee
  • All fifty states covered

Limitations

  • A higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. FL Registered Agent.org: best for Florida-only registrations

In-state service
Service $199; renewal $99 a year

FL Registered Agent.org is ranked third: registering with Florida through this service costs $199 and includes a year of agent service; renewal is $99.

It charges exactly what Florida Registered Agent.io charges.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • Then $99 per year
  • $199 and the state fee
  • First-year agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • Serves Florida alone
Visit FL Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Rankings and prices together

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Florida Registered Agent.io $199$99/yr$397 Visit Florida Registered Agent.io Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 FL Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit FL Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Listed prices, consulted November 13, 2026. The $125 state fee is omitted from these figures.

Registering with Florida, section by section

  1. Section 1

    Decide if the LLC must register

    A foreign LLC, meaning one formed elsewhere, registers with Florida before it transacts business in the state. Failure to register can mean: lawsuits by the LLC must wait for registration (Fla. Stat. 605.0904(1)) agreements already made are not voided (Fla. Stat. 605.0904(4)) civil fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. unpaid fees for earlier years

    Reference: Source text at dos.fl.gov, October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Request the home-state certificate

    Attach certificate of existence (or record of similar import) from the jurisdiction of formation, dated within 90 days.

    Leave it until the other documents are ready.

  3. Section 3

    Select the Florida registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. 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.

    The recommended services each fill this role.

    Reference: Source text at flsenate.gov, October 2026

  4. Section 4

    The filing to prepare is the Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida

    The form and a fee of $125 are sent together to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), Registration Section.

    Reference: Source text at flsenate.gov, October 2026

  5. Section 5

    What follows registration

    Item for the calendar: the annual report, fee $138.75, timing between January 1 and May 1.

What each section costs in Florida

SectionPaid toTotal
Section on registration The state$125
Annual report The state$138.75
Paid assistance Your chosen service$199 for year one
State total over three years The state$402.50

The filing fee, two later reports and any minimum tax make up the state's three-year total; the bibliography shows where each figure came from.

How the Florida recommendations were ranked

On tuition over three years (34% of the ranking) came first, with next.

By year three Florida Registered Agent.io has cost $397, a saving of $100 next to Mainstay Filing.

Florida review questions

What is Florida's fee for an out-of-state LLC?

$125 as the official fee. Add $199 for a service.

Which form do I file to register?

Look for the Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida (Form CR2E027); it is sent to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), Registration Section.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of existence (or record of similar import) from the jurisdiction of formation, issued within 90 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

lawsuits by the LLC must wait for registration (Fla. Stat. 605.0904(1)) agreements already made are not voided (Fla. Stat. 605.0904(4)) civil fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. unpaid fees for earlier years

What is due after registering?

Plan for the annual report, which costs $138.75.

Which service should handle the registration?

Florida Registered Agent.io ranks first and Mainstay Filing and FL Registered Agent.org follow; Florida Registered Agent.io leads on tuition over three years.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations chapter: dos.fl.gov, consulted August 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations chapter: dos.fl.gov, consulted August 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the Florida report due date chapter: leg.state.fl.us, consulted August 2026.
  5. Bibliography entry for the Fla chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted August 2026.
  6. Bibliography entry for the Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: dos.fl.gov, consulted October 2026.
  7. Bibliography entry for the Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  8. Bibliography entry for the Florida registered agent statute chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  9. Bibliography entry for the Form CR2E027, foreign LLC application chapter: form.sunbiz.org, consulted October 2026.
  10. Bibliography entry for the Florida Statutes 605.0902, certificate of authority chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  11. Bibliography entry for the Florida Statutes 605.0905, activities that are not transacting chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  12. Bibliography entry for the Florida Statutes 605.0904, consequences of transacting business without chapter: flsenate.gov, consulted October 2026.
  13. Bibliography entry for the Form CR2E057, withdrawal chapter: form.sunbiz.org, consulted October 2026.
  14. November 13, 2026: Florida Registered Agent.io's pricing page was consulted for the price tables
  15. November 13, 2026: Mainstay Filing's Florida service page was consulted for the price tables
  16. November 13, 2026: FL Registered Agent.org's pricing page was consulted for the price tables