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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Module 1 · Florida

How to Start an LLC in Florida (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services

If you want help setting up an LLC in Florida during 2026, our graded list reads Mainstay Filing ($199), FL Registered Agent.org ($199) and Florida Registered Agent.io ($199). Work through 7 steps below; the state's own fee is $125, plus $138.75 for the annual report.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

The short version

State filing fee$125Look it up at flsenate.gov; last checked October 2026
Annual report$138.75 a yearThe state words the due date this way: May 1
Three-year state total$402.50Before any service fees
Number of steps7In order

Lesson goals

  • The official fee and form in Florida
  • What the agent rule says
  • How to stay in good standing
  • Which services we would use and why

Florida: the services that earned a grade

Three-year cost and the number of steps a price takes off your list weigh the most; the grading page lists all five criteria.
Best grade

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report done for you

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

First in the class in Florida is Mainstay Filing: at $199 a year it files the LLC, serves as the registered agent and files the annual report, and the price stays at $199 when you renew.

You pay $200 more than at FL Registered Agent.org over three years and do less of the paperwork yourself.

It also files the annual report for you, and Florida's $138.75 fee is billed at cost.

What the price covers

  • Formation prepared and filed
  • Registered agent for twelve months
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • No markup on the state fee

Marks in its favor

  • Renewal stays at $199
  • The EIN step is in the price
  • $199 yearly, everything in one

Where it loses points

  • FL Registered Agent.org renews for $100 less
Florida focus

2. FL Registered Agent.org: best for Florida LLCs on a tight budget

Formation $199, renewal $99 a year

FL Registered Agent.org is a sound second choice because $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

You file the annual report on your own every year.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • Then $99 a year
  • $199 to form
  • The first agent year is included

Where it loses points

  • It does not file the annual report
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Florida focus

3. Florida Registered Agent.io: best for founders who prepare their own reports

Formation $199, renewal $99 a year

Florida Registered Agent.io is a sound third choice because $199 gets you started with a free first agent year, and $99 each year from year two.

You file the annual report on your own every year.

FL Registered Agent.org and this service charge the same.

What the price covers

  • The filing is done for you
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $199 to form
  • Then $99 a year
  • The first agent year is included

Where it loses points

  • It does not file the annual report
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra

Our Florida picks side by side

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2FL Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit FL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Florida Registered Agent.io$199$99/yr$397Visit Florida Registered Agent.ioPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as posted on November 13, 2026. The state fee ($125) is not counted.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Step
    1

    Pick a name and make sure it is free

    Look up the name on the Florida business register at the Florida Division of Corporations first.

    Keep a second choice in your pocket.

  2. Step
    2

    Choose a registered agent

    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.

    Every pick on our list includes a registered agent.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at flsenate.gov; last checked October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    Pick how you will file

    Filing directly costs only the $125 state fee. A service adds $199 but handles the forms. See the graded list.

  4. Step
    4

    Prepare and file the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company

    When the Florida Division of Corporations accepts the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047) together with $125 (Fla. Stat. § 605.0201), the LLC exists.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at flsenate.gov; last checked October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Obtain an EIN

    After the state approves your LLC, apply to the IRS for an Employer Identification Number; banks and payroll companies ask for it. If you hire Mainstay Filing, it files the EIN application for you.

  6. Step
    6

    Draft the operating agreement

    Write down ownership and decision rules in an operating agreement. It is an internal paper and no part of the Florida filing.

  7. Step
    7

    Keep up with Florida's recurring filing

    Florida wants the annual report every year, due May 1, and the fee is $138.75. Miss the deadline and $400 is added.

    Where this comes from: Look it up at flsenate.gov; last checked October 2026

Costs, step by step

StepPayeeTotal
Filing feeTo the state$125
Annual reportTo the state$138.75 every year
If the report is lateTo the state$400
Help from a serviceService company$199 up front
State fees for three yearsTo the state$402.50
Official Florida fees, cited below. The three-year line adds the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum tax.

How we graded the Florida picks

What settled it was homework the price handles, worth 33% of the grade.

FL Registered Agent.org costs less, but the annual report stays with you.

Florida questions

What will I pay to set up an LLC with Florida?

The state's fee is $125. Add $199 if a service files it for you.

Which form creates the LLC?

The LLC comes into being when the Florida Division of Corporations accepts the Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company (Form CR2E047).

Is a registered agent required?

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

What does Florida require each year?

Keep an eye on the annual report: $138.75, every year, May 1.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Nothing stops you from doing it yourself: the state wants $125, and you must also name a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing first, then FL Registered Agent.org and Florida Registered Agent.io; Mainstay Filing leads on homework the price handles.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Homework check for Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: the facts come from dos.fl.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  2. Homework check for Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: the facts come from dos.fl.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  3. Homework check for Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source: the facts come from flsenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  4. Homework check for Florida report due date: the facts come from leg.state.fl.us, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  5. Homework check for Fla: the facts come from flsenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  6. Homework check for Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from dos.fl.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  7. Homework check for Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from flsenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  8. Homework check for Florida registered agent statute: the facts come from flsenate.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  9. Mainstay Filing Florida service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  10. FL Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  11. Florida Registered Agent.io pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026