Start a Florida business
Starting a business in Florida comes down to a few decisions and one registration with the state. This free roadmap walks the steps in plain English and points you to the details for each. It is general information from public records — not legal, tax, or financial advice.
HERCULE is an independent search tool for public records — not a law firm, an accounting firm, or a filing service, and not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of Florida. Everything here is general information to help you understand the process, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Filings are made directly with the Florida Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Florida attorney or accountant.
Step 1: Name your business and check it
Pick a name and make sure it stands apart from businesses already on file with the state. Florida requires your entity name to be distinguishable from existing records, and the right entity ending (LLC, Inc., Corp., and so on) is part of the rules.
You can search existing records and screen a name for likely conflicts on HERCULE before you file. It is a research aid, not a ruling by the state.
A clear result on HERCULE is general information, not a determination that a name is available. Only the Florida Division of Corporations decides when you file.
Step 2: Choose a structure (LLC, corporation, and more)
Most new Florida businesses register as an LLC or a corporation. The choice affects your taxes, your paperwork, and your personal liability, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on your situation.
This is the step where a licensed attorney or accountant is worth talking to before you commit.
Choosing a structure has legal and tax consequences. This is general information, not legal or tax advice — talk to a licensed Florida attorney or a CPA about your situation.
Guide: LLC vs. corporation in Florida Guide: starting a Florida LLC
Step 3: Appoint a registered agent
Florida requires every registered business to name a registered agent: a person or company with a physical Florida address who can receive legal documents on the company's behalf.
You can act as your own registered agent, name someone you trust, or hire a commercial registered-agent service.
Who can serve as a registered agent, and what it involves, is set by the state and can change. This is general information — confirm the current rules at the state's site.
Step 4: File with the State of Florida (Sunbiz)
Registration happens on Sunbiz, the Florida Division of Corporations website. You submit your formation documents — Articles of Organization for an LLC, Articles of Incorporation for a corporation — and pay the state filing fee there.
HERCULE does not file for you and is not affiliated with the State of Florida. File directly with the state yourself, or have a licensed professional file on your behalf.
The exact forms, fees, and steps are set by the state and change over time. Confirm the current requirements and file directly at the Sunbiz site — do not rely on this page as the filing itself.
Florida filing site (Sunbiz) (opens in new tab) Search existing Florida records
Step 5: After you register: EIN, licenses, and good standing
Once you are registered, a few things usually follow: getting a federal EIN from the IRS, opening a business bank account, checking whether your activity needs state or local licenses, and filing your Florida annual report each year to stay active.
Which of these apply depends on what you do and where. A CPA or an attorney can tell you which ones are yours.
Tax, licensing, and annual-report rules are set by government agencies and change. This is general information — confirm current requirements with the relevant agency (for example, the IRS for an EIN) and a licensed professional.
Guide: staying in good standing in Florida Guide: how to start a business in Florida
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All Florida business guides Check a business name Florida filing site (Sunbiz) (opens in new tab)
HERCULE is an independent search tool for public records — not a law firm, an accounting firm, or a filing service, and not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of Florida. Everything here is general information to help you understand the process, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Filings are made directly with the Florida Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Florida attorney or accountant.