Florida Articles of Organization

Learn how to establish your business presence in Florida with the Florida LLC Articles of Organization, a crucial step in the formation process – explore the details to ensure a smooth and successful launch of your business venture.

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Are you wondering how to launch your Florida limited liability company (LLC) but unsure of how to take that first step? We can help. Creating your LLC is as easy as filing Articles of Organization in Florida. LLC Articles of Organization in FL provide key information about your company to the state and the public to identify you and your business. Periodically, you’ll need to update your Articles of Organization, so your business remains legally compliant. We can help with that, too.

Below, we’ll guide you through the process of drafting and filing Articles of Organization for an LLC in Florida.  Our fast, easy Florida LLC Formation Service can help you get your entity formed quickly to spare you the hassle of paperwork. We can even help you with any future Florida LLC Amendments.

How to File Your Florida Articles of Organization

As a new business owner or long-time entrepreneur, knowing that you filed your formation documents right the first time can bring you real peace of mind. Filing your Articles of Organization in Florida is easy using the Florida Secretary of State’s Articles of Organization templates. These fillable forms are available from the Secretary of State, so you can complete them and send them by mail. You also can complete your forms directly on Florida’s SunBiz portal, where you can file Articles of Organization online easily.  

Some of the critical information for LLC formation includes: 

  • The name of your LLC (which must include “LLC” “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.”)
  • The address of the principal place of business (a P.O. Box is not acceptable)
  • A mailing address for your company
  • The name and address of the registered agent
  • Your registered agent’s signature
  • The names and addresses of your members and managers
  • The effective date of your Articles of Organization
  • The signature of a member or an authorized representative of a member filing the Articles of Organization

This may sound like a lot of information, but it’s really only a few pages. We’ll walk you through the steps for getting all your LLC legal documents properly prepared and submitted.

Step 1: Select Your LLC’s Official Name 

It isn’t necessary to reserve your business name separate from filing your Articles of Organization in Florida. However, you’ll still want to check Florida’s business names and trademarks database to see if your name is unique before using it. After all, you don’t want your customers to ask which Brady’s Bakery they’ve called in Bradenton!

Once you’ve confirmed that your name is one-of-a-kind, you can move forward with calling your LLC by this name. You can also register a fictitious (or “doing business as”) name if you desire. Some states allow you to reserve a name for 90-120 days for a small fee while setting up your business, but Florida doesn’t offer this option.

Step 2: Provide the Name and Address of Your Registered Agent

When completing your State of Florida Articles of Organization, you’ll need to specify a registered agent for your business. A Registered Agent accepts service of process on your behalf. Often, their office serves as your company’s mailing address. They liaise with third parties and the government when your company has to handle official correspondence. Our Registered Agent Service can help find the right agent for you. 

Step 3: Certify Your LLC Has at Least One Manager / Member

Having managers and members is an essential part of creating your Florida LLC. To file your Articles of Organization in Florida, you need to certify that you have at least one manager and one member. If you’re the sole member of your company, check with your trusted counsel or other professionals to confirm whether you can or should fulfill all these roles.

Step 4: Attach Any Needed Statements 

When you submit your Articles of Organization to the Florida Secretary of State, you may want or need to include additional information. Sometimes, this is as simple as including extra pages of names and addresses of managers and members. Other times, you may need to explain the functions of your business.

However, unless you have an explicit reason to provide additional statements, like needing extra space for more addresses or the state has requested more information, check with the Secretary of State’s Office before providing more paperwork.

Where to File Your Florida Articles of Organization

The easiest way to file your Articles of Organization in Florida is online through the Florida SunBiz Services Portal on the Secretary of State’s website (registration required). You can pay the filing fees online and access a variety of other business services once you’re up and running. You can also print the forms and file them by mail.

What are the next steps? 

After filing Articles of Organization for your LLC in Florida, the work to open a new business has only just begun. No time to put your feet up just yet! Here are a few business to-dos that you’ll want to handle before you can relax.

Create an Operating Agreement

To best manage your LLC, you and your co-managers may want to enter into an Operating Agreement as part of your LLC formation documents. While you’re not required to file an Operating Agreement with the Secretary of State, such an agreement spells out the rules of how the LLC operates. 

If an issue arises between you and your co-managers and a lawsuit is filed, the State of Florida first looks to your Operating Agreement to resolve the problem. The Operating Agreement acts as the law for your company. As long as the agreement doesn’t conflict with Florida law, the courts try to resolve any disputes according to the Operating Agreement before looking to the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act for answers. 

Our Operating Agreement Template can help get you started. By using our template, you and your co-managers can create an Operating Agreement that fits your business’s unique management needs.

Apply for an EIN

Once you’ve completed the basics of your business registration in Florida, applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is an important next step. The IRS grants the EIN, which is like a social security number for your business. Getting an EIN is necessary for opening bank accounts, filing taxes, and hiring employees.

However, if you’re the only member of your LLC and you don’t obtain an EIN, you have to use your Social Security Number for business purposes. Having an EIN can help protect your privacy. Our Employer ID Number Service can save you time by obtaining an EIN for you. 

We can help

Our comprehensive suite of business services helps you get your company started and gives you time to focus on the work you love. Our award-winning line of business products even includes a way to track your invoices, expenses, and income with our ZenBusiness Money Service. And we can help keep your business legally compliant with our Worry-Free Compliance Service

Florida Articles of Organization FAQs

  • If you find something you need or want to change in your Articles of Organization, you can make the update through your SunBiz portal or by filing Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State. Our Florida Amendment Filing Service can do this work for you while you focus on running your business.

  • You’ll need to file Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State. Usually, your Operating Agreement specifies the process for dissolving your LLC, including instructions on how Articles of Dissolution must be filed. This is another reason why having a well-drafted Operating Agreement is so important!

  • To start a corporation, you need to file a Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. Corporations can be great business entities for Florida entrepreneurs. If you decide you’d rather form a corporation instead of an LLC, we can help.

  • No. However, it’s advisable for many reasons. It can provide you with a roadmap for managing all aspects of your LLC — from opening your doors to shutting down your company. You can enter into an Operating Agreement before, after, or when you file your Certificate of Organization in Florida.

  • You don’t need a lawyer to form an LLC, but you might want to speak to one anyway. An attorney can help you determine if an LLC is the right business structure for you. An attorney can also review the terms of your Operating Agreement to ensure that you’ve covered everything and haven’t left in any loopholes that could cause problems later.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by Team ZenBusiness

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