[ Starting a Florida business ]
Do I need a registered agent in Florida?
By REM Strategic Services · Updated
[ Quick answer ]
Yes. Every Florida LLC must name a registered agent, and $25 of Florida's $125 filing fee is for that designation. You can be your own agent for free if you have a Florida street address, but that address becomes public on Sunbiz. If you'd rather keep it private, you can pay a service; ours is $99 a year, same price every year.
What a registered agent does
A registered agent is the person or company named to receive official papers for your LLC. That includes legal notices and state mail.
The agent needs a Florida street address where someone can accept papers. The address is listed on your LLC's public record on Sunbiz.
Can you be your own registered agent?
Yes, if you have a Florida street address. Many small owners do this, and it costs nothing beyond the $25 designation already in Florida's $125 filing fee.
The trade-off is privacy and availability. Your address becomes public on Sunbiz. If you work from home, that's your home address. And you need to be reachable there to receive papers.
Your options compared
There are three common choices. None is wrong. It depends on whether you want your address public and whether you're usually there.
| Option | Yearly cost | Public address | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be your own | $0 | Yours | You have a Florida street address and don't mind it being public |
| A friend, relative, or employee | Usually $0 | Theirs | They're reliable and usually at that address |
| Paid service | Varies; ours is $99 | The service's | You want your address off the public record |
What to check before paying for a service
Paid registered agent prices vary. Online filing services often charge $125 to $249 a year and commonly renew automatically. Some advertise a low first year, then the price goes up at renewal.
Before you sign up, check the renewal price, whether it auto-renews, and how they tell you when papers arrive.
- What does it cost in year two, not just year one?
- Does it renew automatically, and how do you cancel?
- How fast do they forward papers to you?
Changing your agent later
You aren't locked in. You can change your registered agent after forming by updating your record with the Florida Division of Corporations. Your annual report each year also confirms who your agent is.
We're not a law firm. If you expect to be served often or have legal questions, talk to a lawyer.
[ Prices ]
REM registered agent and LLC prices
- Registered agent$99 a yearSame price every year.
- Florida LLC (filing, Florida's $125, EIN, basic operating agreement)$249
[ Common questions ]
Questions owners ask
- Is a registered agent required for a Florida LLC?
- Yes. Every Florida LLC must name one. $25 of Florida's $125 filing fee covers the designation.
- Can I use my home address as the registered agent address?
- Yes, if it's a Florida street address and you can receive papers there. It will be public on Sunbiz.
- Can I use a P.O. box?
- The registered agent needs a Florida street address where papers can be delivered, so a P.O. box on its own won't do.
- Is REM's registered agent included in the $249 LLC?
- Naming a registered agent is included in Florida's $125, which is inside our $249. You can name yourself. If you'd rather use ours, it's $99 a year, and it stays $99.
- Can I switch registered agents later?
- Yes. You can update your registered agent with the Florida Division of Corporations after you form.
[ Want it done for you ]
Start with a website that brings in calls.
Starter website for $999 — half now, half when it goes live. You own it. Starting from zero? Launch adds the Florida LLC.
[ Related services ]