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Biz Formation Academy

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

Chapter 1 · Florida

Florida LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

The recommended reading for forming an LLC in Florida in 2026 is Mainstay Filing ($199), Florida Registered Agent.io ($199) and FL Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order. The chapter has 7 sections. Florida charges $125 to file, and the annual report follows every year.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

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Charge at the filing office $125 flsenate.gov, as published October 2026
Annual report $138.75 a year Due date as the state words it: May 1
State cost, years 1 to 3 $402.50 Filing plus the recurring state fees
Sections in this chapter 7 In sequence

What this chapter teaches

  • How an LLC is formed in Florida
  • What the registered agent rule requires
  • How to remain in good standing
  • How the recommended services compare

Florida: the ranked services

The order rests on five weighted criteria described under how we grade, with three-year cost and paperwork completed on top.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having someone else file the annual report

Top recommendation
$199 per year; checkout collects $324, which includes the state fee

Mainstay Filing comes first. A yearly fee of $199 pays for the formation, the registered agent and the annual report, and the second year is $199 again.

Florida Registered Agent.io costs $200 less over three years; this service still ranks higher because it does more of the work.

The annual report is part of the service, and Florida's $138.75 fee is billed at cost.

Price covers

  • The filing is made for you
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • $199 every year
  • $199 a year covers filing, agent and report
  • The EIN application is in the price

Limitations

  • After year one it costs $100 more annually
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Florida Registered Agent.io: best for a basic formation

Florida specialist
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 2 is Florida Registered Agent.io, where $199 to start with the first agent year paid, followed by $99 annually.

The annual report remains the owner's task every year.

Price covers

  • The Florida formation, prepared and submitted
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • The agent renews at $99
  • No agent fee in year one

Limitations

  • The price does not cover filing the annual report
  • Help with the EIN is $99 more
Visit Florida Registered Agent.io Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. FL Registered Agent.org: best for a local filer

Florida specialist
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 3 is FL Registered Agent.org, where $199 to start with the first agent year paid, followed by $99 annually.

The annual report remains the owner's task every year.

It charges exactly what Florida Registered Agent.io charges.

Price covers

  • The Florida formation, prepared and submitted
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • No agent fee in year one
  • The agent renews at $99

Limitations

  • The price does not cover filing the annual report
  • Help with the EIN is $99 more
Visit FL Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The Florida rankings compared

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Florida Registered Agent.io $199$99/yr$397 Visit Florida Registered Agent.io 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.

Taken from each company's price page on November 13, 2026. Each row still owes Florida's $125 fee.

The chapter, section by section

  1. Section 1

    Search the register for the name

    The records at the Florida Division of Corporations show every name in use. Look yours up before preparing any forms, because Florida can refuse a duplicate.

    It helps to have a fallback name ready.

  2. Section 2

    Select a registered agent for the LLC

    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.

    The recommended services all supply the registered agent role.

    Reference: flsenate.gov, as published October 2026

  3. Section 3

    Self-filing compared with hiring help

    Both routes pay $125 to the state. The services in the ranking charge $199 more and do the forms.

  4. Section 4

    The state wants the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company

    Required: the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047), the $125 fee, and delivery to the Florida Division of Corporations. Authority: Fla. Stat. § 605.0201.

    Reference: flsenate.gov, as published October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Request an Employer Identification Number from the IRS

    The IRS, not Florida, issues EINs. Apply after the state approves the LLC and give the number to your bank. With Mainstay Filing this section is completed for you.

  6. Section 6

    Record how the company will be run

    Think of the operating agreement as the owners' written rules. The company keeps it; the state does not ask for a copy.

  7. Section 7

    Keep the LLC in good standing

    Florida asks for the annual report every year, due May 1, and the fee is $138.75. A late filing adds $400.

    Reference: flsenate.gov, as published October 2026

What each section costs in Florida

SectionRecipientSum
Forming the LLC State agency$125
Annual report State agency$138.75 every year
Penalty for late filing State agency$400
Optional service The service$199 for year one
Three-year state total State agency$402.50

Anything paid to Florida is an official fee that can be verified in the bibliography. The three-year row combines the filing, two later reports and a minimum tax where one exists; service prices are not part of it.

How the ranking came out

finished ahead of on chapters the price completes, which counts for 30%.

A price that covers the annual report counted for more than Florida Registered Agent.io's lower three-year total.

Short answers

Which fees does Florida charge when an LLC is formed?

The state's fee is $125. On top of the state fee, the ranked services bill $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047) creates the company, and the Florida Division of Corporations is the recipient.

Is a registered agent required?

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

What does Florida require each year?

Florida requires the annual report every year, at $138.75, with timing described as May 1.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Yes. The state collects $125 at filing, and the LLC still needs a registered agent on record.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing, because the textbook price of $199 a year includes filing, a registered agent and the annual report, with no change at renewal. After it come Florida Registered Agent.io and FL Registered Agent.org.

Next chapter

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Primary text behind Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: dos.fl.gov, accessed August 2026.
  2. Primary text behind Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: dos.fl.gov, accessed August 2026.
  3. Primary text behind Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: flsenate.gov, accessed October 2026.
  4. Primary text behind Florida report due date: leg.state.fl.us, accessed August 2026.
  5. Primary text behind Fla: flsenate.gov, accessed August 2026.
  6. Primary text behind Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: dos.fl.gov, accessed October 2026.
  7. Primary text behind Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: flsenate.gov, accessed October 2026.
  8. Primary text behind Florida registered agent statute: flsenate.gov, accessed October 2026.
  9. Prices quoted from the Florida service page at Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  10. Prices quoted from the pricing page at Florida Registered Agent.io on November 13, 2026
  11. Prices quoted from the pricing page at FL Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026