Registered Agent in Florida
Every Florida LLC must have a registered agent with a physical Florida address. Here is exactly what the law requires, what it costs, and whether you should serve as your own.
State terminology: Florida uses the term "Registered Agent" — the same standard term used in most states — to refer to the individual or company designated to receive official legal and government correspondence on behalf of your LLC.
What is a registered agent in Florida?
Every Florida LLC is required by law to maintain a Registered Agent at all times. Your Registered Agent is the person or company authorized to accept service of process — meaning lawsuits, subpoenas, and other legal documents — as well as official correspondence from the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) on behalf of your business. If your LLC is sued, the court delivers the lawsuit to your Registered Agent first, so missing that notice can result in a default judgment against your company. Beyond litigation, your agent receives state compliance notices and annual report reminders. Florida law requires this agent to maintain a physical street address in Florida and be available during normal business hours. Choosing the right Registered Agent is a foundational step in keeping your LLC in good standing with the state.
Don’t want to file yourself? Northwest Registered Agent files your Florida LLC for $39 + state fee and acts as your registered agent the first year free.
Can you be your own registered agent in Florida?
Yes, Florida allows an LLC member or manager to serve as the company's own Registered Agent, provided they meet the state's requirements. You must have a physical Florida street address — not a PO Box — where you are consistently available during regular business hours (typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Keep in mind that your Registered Agent's address becomes part of the public record on Sunbiz. If you work from home, that home address will be visible to anyone who searches your LLC. This is worth considering carefully before opting to serve as your own agent.
Florida registered agent requirements
- Must have a physical street address in Florida — a P.O. Box, virtual office mailbox, or UPS Store address alone does not satisfy the requirement.
- Must be available at the registered address during normal business hours on every business day to receive legal documents in person.
- Can be an individual Florida resident (including an LLC member or manager) or a business entity authorized to transact business in Florida.
- Commercial Registered Agent companies must be registered with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) to provide registered agent services legally.
- The Registered Agent's name and address are listed on your public LLC filing on Sunbiz and are searchable by anyone, including process servers, attorneys, and the general public.
- If your Registered Agent resigns or becomes unavailable and you fail to appoint a replacement promptly, Florida can administratively dissolve your LLC.
Registered agent cost in Florida
Serving as your own Registered Agent in Florida costs nothing in state fees, but your name and address become publicly visible on Sunbiz. Commercial Registered Agent services typically range from $49 to $300 per year. That fee generally covers a dedicated Florida street address for your filings, mail scanning and forwarding, compliance deadline reminders, and same-day notification when legal documents arrive. For most small business owners — especially those working from home or without consistent office coverage — a commercial service provides meaningful privacy and reliability at a cost that is easily justified against Florida's $138.75 annual report fee.
Why most Florida LLC owners use a service
A commercial Registered Agent service solves three practical problems at once. First, it keeps your personal or home address off Florida's public Sunbiz database, protecting your privacy from marketers, competitors, and anyone who searches your LLC. Second, it ensures there is always a qualified person available at a Florida address to accept legal documents — even when you are traveling, at a client site, or out sick. Third, it eliminates the risk of missing a time-sensitive lawsuit notice or state compliance deadline, which can result in a default judgment or administrative dissolution of your LLC.
Have Northwest form your Florida LLC for $39 + state fee
Free registered agent for the first year. Real human support. Privacy-by-default — your home address stays off public filings.
How to change your registered agent in Florida
To change your Registered Agent in Florida, log in to the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) portal at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz and file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office. The filing fee is $25. Your new Registered Agent must sign the filing to accept the appointment. The change typically takes effect within one to two business days of acceptance by the state.
Florida registered agent: frequently asked questions
What is a registered agent in Florida?
A registered agent in Florida is the individual or company designated to receive legal documents, service of process, and official government notices on behalf of your LLC. Florida law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state at all times. The agent's name and address are listed publicly on the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) database. Without a valid registered agent, Florida can administratively dissolve your LLC.
Do I need a registered agent in Florida?
Yes — Florida law mandates that every LLC maintain a registered agent as a condition of staying in good standing. This requirement applies from the day you form your LLC until the day it is formally dissolved. There are no exceptions, even if your LLC has no active operations or revenue. Failure to maintain a registered agent can lead to administrative dissolution, which means your LLC loses its legal right to conduct business in Florida.
How much does a registered agent cost in Florida?
There is no state fee to designate a registered agent in Florida, whether you serve as your own or appoint someone else. However, commercial registered agent services typically charge between $49 and $300 per year for a Florida address, mail handling, and compliance alerts. Changing your registered agent requires a $25 filing fee with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). When weighing cost, factor in Florida's $138.75 annual report fee and consider whether the privacy and reliability a paid service offers is worth the additional expense.
Can I be my own registered agent in Florida?
Yes, Florida permits an LLC member or manager to serve as the company's registered agent. To qualify, you must have a physical street address in Florida — not a P.O. Box — and be personally available there during standard business hours every business day. The main drawback is that your address becomes publicly searchable on Sunbiz, which can be a concern if you operate from your home. If you travel frequently or cannot guarantee daily availability, a commercial service is the safer choice.
What does a registered agent do for a Florida LLC?
Your registered agent serves as the official point of contact between your LLC and the Florida legal and government system. They accept service of process when your company is sued, receive official correspondence from the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), and forward annual report reminders and other compliance notices to you. A commercial registered agent will also scan and forward documents electronically so you receive them promptly. Because missing a lawsuit notice can result in a default judgment, having a reliable registered agent is one of the most important safeguards for your business.
How do I change my registered agent in Florida?
You can change your registered agent in Florida by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office through the Sunbiz portal at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz. The filing fee is $25, and your incoming agent must sign the form to accept the appointment. The change is typically reflected on the public Sunbiz database within one to two business days. It is good practice to notify your outgoing agent of the change and confirm that your new agent is ready to receive documents before submitting the filing.