How to Start an LLC in Florida (Step-by-Step Guide + Cost + EIN)

To get started with forming an LLC in Florida, you first need to understand the application process, the associated costs, and the kind of information you’ll have to give. The LLCTutor.com guide breaks down the process into simple and practical steps, covering everything from entering the details of your company and checking over the formation services to finishing the filing and finding out how to get an EIN. The guide includes screenshots to help you go through each stage and to show you what to verify before proceeding. You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between the provider’s service charges and the filing fees so that you can select the options that are appropriate for your business. You can use the example entries as a reference, but you must enter your own correct information when completing the application.

In this complete guide, you will learn how to start an LLC in Florida step by step, including the registration process, cost breakdown, EIN application, compliance requirements, and expert tips to avoid mistakes. Watch the complete step by step tutorial below before starting your Florida LLC formation. This video explains the exact process for both U.S. residents and non-U.S. founders.

Step 1: Start Your Florida LLC Formation

To begin, get started here to open the Registered Agents Inc formation portal.

Company Name: The example uses Gulf Horizon Digital LLC. Enter your own desired company name; entering it does not confirm availability or approval.
State: Select Florida, as shown in this guide.
Type of Business: Choose LLC.
Attorney Copies: The example selects No for sending copies of lawsuits to an attorney. Choose the answer that fits your situation.

Physical Address: For the physical address, select the address that is listed as our registered agent. When considering this option, also look at your mailing address and the specified address, and then pick the one that suits your filing.
Filing Options: For filing, the example shows the Standard option, with a filing charge of $125 and the provider’s fee of $100. The portal indicates that the state will carry out the processing within 10 business days; you should check the timeframe given for your application.
Management Type: The management type selected is ‘member managed’, which means that the owners will be managing the business. You should choose the structure that suits your LLC.
Member #1: Daniel Parker is the example member; enter the correct legal name of your member and click Add Member if there are any further owners.
Order Summary: The amount listed for this example order is $229.95, which includes $225 for the Business Formation Service and an optional charge of $4.95 for the Domain Name. The fee of $200 for the Registered Agent Service has been cancelled. Please review the services you have selected and the subscription terms; your total could be different.
Continue: Make sure your entries are correct and then click on Continue in order to proceed.

Step 2: Choose Optional Business Services

Phone Service: This optional service is switched on, adding $5 to this example order. Keep it selected if you need a business phone service, or switch it off.
Other Optional Services: Domain Name, Email Service, Website Hosting, and the remaining add-ons are switched off. Select only what your business needs.
Tax ID: This optional service is also switched off. If you want the registered agent to obtain your Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN), review its processing fee before selecting it. Alternatively, apply directly through the IRS without an EIN application fee using our guides:

If you are a non-U.S. resident looking to apply for an EIN, follow this complete guide.
But if you are a U.S. resident or citizen, follow this step-by-step guide.

Order Summary: The total shown for this example order is $230, including Phone Service. Your total may differ based on your selections. Review any subscription terms.
Continue: Click Continue to proceed to Create Account.

Step 3: Enter Your Contact Details and Create an Account

First Name and Last Name: Daniel Parker is given as an example; please enter your own correct contact name.
Phone Number: Give a number to which you can be reached. This is your contact number, not the same as the optional business phone service.
Country: The United States is selected. Pick the country that corresponds with your contact address.
Address and City: Please enter your own correct address and city. The example given is Orlando.

State / Province and Zip / Postal: The example shows Florida. Please enter the state or province and postal code that correspond to your contact address.
Email: Use an email address that you will be able to access when you receive account communications.
Password: Create a password that is unique and has a length of at least eight characters, including both uppercase and lowercase letters, a digit, and a special character.
Confirm Password: To confirm your password, type in the password once more and click on Hide Password to mask it.
Continue: check your information again and then click on Continue in order to reach the Billing Details page.

Step 4: Enter Billing Details and Submit Your Order

First Name on Card and Last Name on Card: put down the cardholder’s name exactly as it appears on the card.
Card Number and Security Code: For the card number and security code, give your own correct payment information.
Exp Month and Exp Year: choose the month and year on which your card expires.
Use Different Billing Address: In the example, this option is turned off. Turn it on if the billing address on your card is not the same as the contact address which was entered earlier.
Order Summary: The total for this order example is $230 when the optional Phone Service is included. Your total might be different. Please check the services you have selected and the subscription terms.
Submit Order: To place your order, please check your details and then click on Submit Order. The screenshot currently does not include payment confirmation or a statement of approval.

Step 5: Review Your Order and Open State Filing Details

Payment Confirmation: Confirmation of payment: The page shows “Thank you for your payment!” for LLCTutor LLC and the payment has now been confirmed, but the details relating to the state filing still have to be completed.
The Basics: The business name, state, and entity type have been obtained. The other sections are Business Details, People & Roles, and Review & Submit.
Add State Filing Details: click on ‘Add State Filing Details’ in order to start entering the remaining information. Make sure to use your own correct business and ownership details.

Order Summary: Review the purchased services. This example lists Delaware services; for your Florida LLC, check that your order lists Florida.
Download: Click Download to save the invoice for your records. This invoice confirms the order charges, not state approval.

Step 6: Review Your Business Details and Optional Tax Services

Business Name: The example given is LLCTutor LLC; make sure you verify your company name and select Edit if there are any changes required.
Name Availability: As for the name, the portal’s search shows that the example name is available, although final availability and approval depend on the state.
Formation State: The screenshot illustrates Delaware. Before carrying on, make sure that your application is for Florida in the case of your Florida LLC.

What type of business is this?: The example selects Other Services (except Public Administration). Click Change to choose the category that accurately describes your business.
Effective Date: Upon Filing is selected. Review this setting and choose the available option that suits your intended start date.
File EIN Paperwork For Me: This optional service is switched off. If you want the registered agent to obtain your Tax ID or EIN, you must pay its processing fee. The example displays $50 with a U.S. SSN or $200 without one; your fee may differ.
Apply for an EIN Yourself: You can apply directly through the IRS without paying an EIN application fee. Follow the appropriate step-by-step guide below.

U.S. Residents or Citizens: Follow the step-by-step guide from here.
Non-U.S. Residents: Follow the complete guide from here.

File S Corp Paperwork For Me: This optional service is switched off. Select it only if S corporation tax treatment is appropriate and your business meets the requirements.
Continue: After reviewing all business details and optional services, click Continue to move forward.

Step 7: Choose Your Filing Address

Management Type: The example selects Member Managed, where owners run daily operations. Choose Manager Managed if the owners appoint a manager to run the business.
Members: The example lists LLC Tutor as an Individual. Review your own member’s legal name, type, and filing address.
Edit or Add: Click Edit to correct member details or Add to include another owner. Use Remove if an entry needs to be deleted.
Continue: Check the information, then click Continue to proceed to Review & Submit.

Principal Address: Review the address options under Address on Filing. The portal notes that this address may be public.
Use Our Address: The highlighted example option is Use Our Address with Limited Mail, displayed as free. It includes three standard mail scans and no unique suite number.
Other Address Options: Mail scanning and virtual office services are optional paid upgrades. Choose one only if needed.
Use Your Own Address: To provide your own address, click No, thank you. Use my own address on my filing and enter accurate details.
Continue: Review your selection, then click Continue.

Step 8: Review and Submit Your Filing Details

Review & Submit: When you’re reviewing and submitting the information, make sure that you check it thoroughly, as the example given is for LLCTutor LLC – Delaware and your application for Florida should indicate Florida.
Processing Speed: The processing speed is set to standard processing, with rush processing being an optional paid upgrade. When you look at the submission dates for your order, note that these dates refer to the time when the filing is sent to the state, not when the state approves it.

Business Details: Review your Company Name, business category, and Effective Date. The example shows LLCTutor LLC, Other Services (except Public Administration), and Upon Filing.
Edit: Click Edit if any business information needs correcting. Use details that accurately describe your own LLC.

People & Roles: Confirm your Management Type, member name, type, and filing address. The example shows Member Managed and LLC Tutor listed as an Individual.
Registered Agent Information: Review the assigned registered agent’s name and address. This example displays Resident Agents Inc. in Delaware; check the information provided for your Florida filing.
Submit Your Order: Once everything is accurate, click Submit Your Order to submit the completed filing details to the provider. State approval is not shown at this stage.

Step 9: Review What Happens Next

Filing Details Submitted: The information provided on the page states that “LLCTutor LLC will be official soon“. This means that you have now reached the next stage, but approval by the authorities is still pending.
What Happens Next: The next step will be for the provider to look over your information, put the necessary documents together, and then submit your filing to the state for processing.
State Approval: When the state has approved your filing you’ll receive a notification from the provider in your email.
Continue to Home: click on Continue to Home in order to track your order and view the next steps in your account.

Step 10: Track Your Order and Explore Your Account

Action Items: The action items are none since the dashboard displays You’re All Caught Up!.
Active Orders: LLCTutor LLC is listed under the Business Formation Service with a Processing status and has not yet received state approval.
View Details: click on View Details to check the progress of your order. The estimated completion date shown applies in this case and may be subject to change.

Account: Open Account to access Invoices, Filing Orders, and other account options.
Contact Details: Use Contact Details to review your contact information, or Payment Methods to manage your saved payment methods.

Phones: If you purchased the optional phone service, open Services, then select Phones to access it.
Other Services: Review other service options only if your business needs them.

Documents: To do this, click on Documents and then select My Documents to see if there are any files available.
Current Status: The example displays the message No items to show, which means that no formation documents or EIN confirmation are currently visible.
Document Tools: When documents become available, you can use Search Documents, Filters, and Manage Folders. If necessary, click Upload Document to add your own files.

What to Do After Submitting Your Florida LLC Application

The example dashboard shows the formation order is still Processing, with no documents available yet. Continue monitoring your account while the provider prepares the filing.

Check Formation Status: look over your Active Orders and check the Details for any updates. The screenshots give an example from Delaware; make sure that your own order and filing details correctly identify Florida.
Respond to Requests: Make sure you check your dashboard and email, and then give any additional information that is asked for.
Save Your Records: Make sure you keep your invoice and download the formation documents as soon as they become available, since payment confirmation by itself does not prove that the state has approved them.
Follow Up on Your EIN: If you have bought EIN assistance, then you should keep an eye on that request; otherwise, refer to our EIN application guide here.
Evaluate Banking and Payments: When it comes to banking and payments, you can check whether Mercury is suitable for you, look into Airwallex, or consider Square Payments. The requirements will vary depending on the type of business you have, your location, and the criteria set by each provider.
Build Your Online Presence: When it comes to banking and payments, you can check whether Mercury is suitable for you, look into Airwallex, or consider Square Payments. The requirements will vary depending on the type of business you have, your location, and the criteria set by each provider.
Plan Ongoing Responsibilities: Carry out the responsibilities that are ongoing: once approval has been given, keep track of the Florida annual report requirements, the applicable taxes, and any licences your business requires.

Helpful Resources

Add the supplied links to the following text before publishing. Partner and referral resources are labeled below.

Start Your LLC here
Read the EIN Guide here
Explore ITIN Assistance here (Save $50 with code
REGISTERUSLLC50)
Review Square Payments here
Check Mercury Eligibility here
Explore Airwallex here
View Hostinger Plans here
Explore Google Workspace here

Final Thoughts

Starting an LLC in Florida begins with accurate information and careful review. Confirm the formation state, business details, ownership information, and selected services before submitting your filing details.

Keep your records organized and monitor the dashboard until state approval is confirmed. When you are ready to begin, Start Your Florida LLC through Registered Agents Inc here.

How to Start an LLC in Florida (Complete Step-by-Step Guide with Cost, EIN & Filing Process)