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Florida Foreign LLC Registration

Everything you need to register a foreign LLC in Florida.

Foreign Qualification

Filing fee
$125
Form
Application by Foreign LLC for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida
Annual obligation
$139/year
Processing time
4 business days online, same-day in person
Estimated year 1 cost
$264
Visit Florida Secretary of State ↗
Florida data verified Apr 18, 2026 · dos.fl.gov

Formation in Florida

Formation fee
$125
Annual cost
$139/year
State income tax
No state income tax
Privacy
Moderate
No state income tax. Popular for businesses with a Florida presence.

What triggers foreign qualification in Florida?

  • Physical presence (store, office, warehouse)
  • Employees in Florida
  • Owning or leasing property
  • Selling products or services in Florida

Important to know

  • Florida statutes define what does NOT constitute doing business rather than what does (FL Statute 607.1501)
  • Extremely high $400 late fee if annual report is filed after May 1. This is mandatory and non-waivable, making the total $539 if late.

Activities that do NOT require registration in Florida

The following activities are explicitly carved out by statute. On their own, they do not require a foreign LLC to register in Florida.

  • Maintaining or defending a lawsuit
  • Holding meetings of members or managers
  • Maintaining bank accounts
  • Selling through independent contractors
  • Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages, or security interests
  • Conducting isolated transactions completed within 30 days

Florida's Revised Limited Liability Company Act, codified at Chapter 605, lists activities at Section 605.0905 ('Activities not constituting transacting business'). Section 605.0902 is the corresponding registration requirement (which 605.0905 cross-references). IMPORTANT QUIRK: subsection (3) carves IN ownership of income-producing real or tangible personal property as transacting business, similar to HI, MN, ND, OK, SC, WV. The previous citation to Section 605.0901 was incorrect (605.0901 is 'Governing law,' not safe harbors).

Need a registered agent in Florida?

A registered agent is required for foreign qualification. These services operate in all 50 states.

Get Northwest Registered Agent ↗
Recommended · $125/year · Privacy included

Other options

Registered Agents Inc
$200/year · Includes annual report filing
Visit site ↗
Harbor Compliance
$99/year · Full-service compliance option
Visit site ↗

Filing it yourself?

Go directly to the official filing portal.

Visit SOS website ↗

More Florida guides

Check your compliance

Answer 3 questions to find out if your LLC needs to register in other states.

Start free compliance check ↗

Need to change your registered agent?

See the form, fee, and step-by-step process for changing your registered agent in Florida.

Florida change of agent guide ↗

What's the penalty for not registering?

Statute-cited guide to the civil penalty, back fees, and court access if you operate in Florida without a certificate of authority.

Florida penalty guide ↗

Not sure if you need to register?

Learn what counts as “doing business” and which activities trigger the foreign qualification requirement.

What triggers foreign qualification? ↗

This page provides general information based on publicly available state requirements. It is not legal advice. Verify with the Florida Secretary of State before filing.