Filing Articles of Organization in Florida is an important step when forming your LLC.
In order to form an LLC, you must file Articles of Organization in Florida. PRIME Corporate Services has put together a step-by-step guide on completing this process. Need more help? You can check out our main informational page or reach out to one of our PRIME advisors for a free consultation.
Three Steps to Filing Articles of Organization in Florida
Step 1: Obtain Your Articles of Organization Form
Step 2: Fill out the Articles of Organization Form
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization Forms
File Articles of Organization in Florida—Step 1: Obtain Your Articles of Organization Forms
The form is accessible online, and you can submit it virtually or download it to be mailed to the “New Filing Section” of the Division of Corporations. There is also an option to submit the form in-person.
File Articles of Organization in Florida—Step 2: Fill Out The Forms With Accurate Information About Your Florida LLC
Once the form is obtained, you should fill it out with the following required information:
- Entity Name and Address
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
- Effective Date
Entity Name and Address
An ideal business name is legally correct, creative and memorable. Here are some factors to look out for when choosing a business name:
- It should meet the Florida naming guidelines.
- The name can’t be in use by another Florida business
Your Florida business name must meet the Florida Naming Guidelines, including:
- Including the phrase “limited liability company” or (LLC or L.L.C.).
- The name cannot have language implying that the LLC is organized for an unlawful or unregistered purpose.
- The name cannot have language implying that the LLC is connected with a state or federal government agency or corporation.
- Certain restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may need extra paperwork and a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
Check Name Availability:
To make sure your desired business name is available, conduct a name search on the Florida SunBiz website. This process is free and easy to do.
If you have any questions about this process, schedule a free consultation call with one of our PRIME advisors.
Register Your Domain Name:
Part of the process of reserving your name is to see if your desired web domain is available. It is best practice to reserve the URL ahead of time, so someone else doesn’t take it.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
The next step is designating who will be your business’s registered agent. This person monitors and deals with legal documents for your LLC. This person is required to be chosen at registration.
The requirements for choosing an agent include:
- Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older.
- They must have a Florida residential address.
- They must be available at the registered office during regular business hours.
- The agent’s address cannot be a P.O. box.
The designated agent must consent to their appointment by signing the Articles of Organization form either physically or electronically.
Governing Authority
During the filing process, you should identify the name and address of the person(s) authorized to manage your Florida LLC. This placement is only for official LLC managers.
Leaving this blank will indicate that the LLC is member-managed. If this is the case, only the manager’s name is required unless the manager is a registered agent service.
You must decide how your LLC will be managed by the time you file your LLC’s first annual report.
Effective Date
If an effective date is listed, the date must be specific and cannot be more than five business days prior to or 90 calendar days after the date of filing.
File Articles of Organization in Florida—Step 3: Submit the Paperwork
Finally, to complete the registration process for your Florida LLC, you need to officially file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations.
This can be completed online or in-person. The state filing cost is $125 and can be mailed to:
New Filing Section, Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Or the form can be submitted in-person at:
New Filing Section, Division of Corporations
Clifton Building
2661 Executive Center Circle
Tallahassee, FL 32301
If you have any questions about this process, schedule a free consultation call with one of our PRIME advisors.
Steps After Your Florida LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
- Open a Business Bank Account
- Get Licenses and Permits
Create an Operating Agreement
It is best practice to create a Florida LLC Operating Agreement, a legal document that outlines the role each person plays within the LLC.
This step is not required but it is still a good idea. This agreement can be filed at any point during the Articles of Organization. This will be kept in your LLC’s private business records.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is an LLC’s social security number. This number is needed for hiring employees or opening business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN through the IRS website, mail, or fax.
Open a Business Bank Account
Opening a business bank account is important, in order not to mix your personal with your business assets. The sooner an account can be opened, the less likely it is to mix the assets.
Get Licenses and Permits
Acquiring the proper licenses and permits are key to registering your LLC. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide has federal business licenses and permits guidelines.
Local clerks are a good place to ask about county licenses and permits.PRIME Corporate Services can help you with all of the steps in this process. Reach out to us today for a free consultation!
File Articles of Organization in Florida—Additional Resources: