Using a private filing service is an optional choice if you prefer not to list your personal street address on Florida public records, need a commercial registered agent, or want help tracking compliance deadlines. Third-party services submit paperwork on your behalf and may offer operating agreement templates or registered agent coverage for an added fee. However, essential steps like getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) are completely $0 (free) directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and you must form your entity with the state before applying. You should never pay a third party for an EIN. Furthermore, under federal regulations effective August 14, 2026, U.S.-formed entities are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Choosing between filing directly on Sunbiz and hiring a service comes down to balancing personal address privacy against your budget.
Florida LLC Official Fees and Requirements
The table below outlines statutory fees, deadlines, and official requirements for Florida LLCs. All figures reflect published state and federal rules.
| Requirement or Fee Type | Published Fee | Key Deadline or Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Filing Fee | $100.00 | Mandatory fee due at formation under s.605.0201 F.S. |
| Registered Agent Designation Fee | $25.00 | Mandatory fee due at formation (Total starting cost: $125.00) |
| Annual Report Fee | $138.75 | Mandatory filing due every year between January 1 and May 1 |
| Annual Report Late Penalty | $400.00 | Applied to reports received after May 1 (Total fee: $538.75) |
| Change of Registered Agent | $25.00 | Fee charged when updating designated agent information |
| Amended Annual Report | $50.00 | Fee charged when modifying a previously submitted report |
| Certificate of Status | $5.00 | Optional certificate confirming active state registration |
| Certified Copy | $30.00 | Optional certified copy of official state filing records |
| Articles of Correction | $25.00 | Fee charged to correct an error in a filed record |
| Federal EIN (Tax ID) | $0.00 (Free) | Apply directly with IRS after state entity formation |
| BOI Reporting | $0.00 (Exempt) | U.S.-formed entities exempt as of August 14, 2026 |
Doing It Yourself vs. Using a Filing Service
When forming an LLC in Florida, every owner faces the same basic choices regarding setup expenses, public privacy, and ongoing compliance. Deciding between self-filing on Sunbiz and hiring a commercial filing service depends on your specific priorities.
Path 1: Filing Directly on Sunbiz
Sunbiz is the official portal of the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. Forming an LLC yourself involves submitting Articles of Organization online under s.605.0201 F.S. The process requires providing your entity name, principal street address, mailing address, management structure, and registered agent details.
Key aspects of filing directly:
- Lowest Direct Cost: You pay only the mandatory $125.00 state fee ($100 filing fee plus $25 registered agent designation fee).
- Direct E-Filing: Your document is submitted straight to the state on sunbiz.org without intermediate handling.
- No Legal Advice: As stated on the official e-filing instructions page, the Division gives no legal advice. You handle internal documents like operating agreements yourself.
- Public Address Exposure: Any street address entered on your filing becomes permanent public record in the searchable state database.
The Florida Department of State posts an official warning on its website regarding third-party filing services. The state alerts owners that private companies mail solicitations offering to submit filings or issue corporate certificates at inflated rates. The state emphasizes that routine filings like the $138.75 annual report can be completed directly on Sunbiz without paying third-party service fees.
Path 2: Hiring a Commercial Filing Service
A third-party filing service acts as an intermediary, collecting your details and submitting your Articles of Organization to Sunbiz on your behalf.
Key aspects of using a service:
- Address Privacy Protection: Commercial services provide registered agent representation, keeping your personal street address off public state records.
- Automated Compliance: Services monitor state deadlines to help you submit annual reports on time, avoiding Florida's $400.00 late penalty.
- Document Templates: Service packages often include customizable operating agreement templates.
Comparing Formation Service Providers
If you choose to use a filing service rather than filing directly on Sunbiz, provider features and pricing vary. Provider options below are listed alphabetically, not ranked.
| Provider Name | Starting Package Price (as of 2026) | Registered Agent Service Fee (as of 2026) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Included 1st year ($119/yr renewal) | Includes compliance alerts and digital document access |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee | $249/yr (sold separately) | Offers legal consultation options and legal forms |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | $125/yr (sold separately) | Focuses on privacy protection and corporate service |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99.99 + state fee | $249.99/yr (discounted with membership) | Offers ongoing legal advice and subscription tools |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee | $199/yr (sold separately) | Combines entity filing with website and branding tools |
| ZenBusiness | Starter $0 + state fee; Pro $199/yr; Premium $299/yr | $199/yr ($99 1st year with formation) | Fast state submission and guided compliance management |
Which Path Fits Your Situation?
Filing directly on Sunbiz is the best call if you want to limit expenses to the $125.00 state fee, do not mind your street address appearing in public state databases, and feel comfortable managing your annual filing requirements. Once the state approves your entity, you can obtain your EIN for $0 (free) directly from the IRS website. You should never pay a third party for an EIN.
Hiring a service is the better option if you work from home and want to keep your personal address off public records, or if you want automated reminders so you never miss the May 1 annual report deadline.
For owners choosing a service, ZenBusiness is a strong fit. Their pricing as of 2026 features a Starter tier at $0 plus state fee, Pro at $199 per year, and Premium at $299 per year. Registered agent service is $199 per year across all tiers, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with them. This structure provides address privacy and compliance tracking without forcing unnecessary software bundles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a filing service for a Florida LLC form, limited liability company online filing fee, and registered agent on sunbiz.org?
No, you do not need a service. You can file directly on sunbiz.org by submitting electronic Articles of Organization. The total initial fee is $125.00 ($100 filing fee plus a $25 registered agent designation fee) under s.605.0201 F.S. Florida law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Florida available during business hours to accept service of process.
What is the Sunbiz Florida LLC fee schedule and annual report fee for 2026?
According to the official fee schedule on the Florida Department of State website (dos.fl.gov), creating an LLC costs $125.00. Every active Florida LLC must submit an annual report between January 1 and May 1 each year for $138.75. Reports received after May 1 incur a mandatory $400.00 late penalty, raising the fee to $538.75. Other standard fees include $25.00 for changing a registered agent, $50.00 for an amended annual report, $5.00 for a Certificate of Status, $30.00 for a Certified Copy, and $25.00 for Articles of Correction.
What is the Sunbiz third party filing services warning on the official website?
The official warning on the Florida Department of State website (dos.fl.gov) alerts business owners to misleading solicitations from private companies. These third-party services send official-looking mailers offering to submit annual reports or provide state certificates at high markups. The Division notes that it gives no legal advice and that owners can complete all filings directly on Sunbiz without third-party fees.
Sources
- Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, “LLC Fees”
- Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, “Instructions for Articles of Organization (FL LLC)”
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This is general information rather than legal advice. Requirements vary by state and change over time.