Florida registered agent requirements for LLCs and corporations

In the State of Florida, a requirement for forming or registering an LLC or corporation is to appoint a Florida registered agent to receive service of process on behalf of the company. The registered agent must also sign the application for formation or registration confirming that they are familiar with and accept the obligations listed in Florida statutes.

In Florida, a business entity may not act as its own registered agent. But it may appoint an individual or a legal entity offering registered agent services as long as certain requirements are met, such as having a physical street address in Florida (a P.O. box address is not acceptable) for the registered office. The agent must also be available during regular business hours.

Failure to comply with the state’s registered agent requirement can result in a business losing its good standing status. Loss of good standing can mean fines, the inability to file a lawsuit, the inability to do business in other states, and the administrative dissolution of the business.

Roadmap to compliance

What to look for when choosing a Florida registered agent

A registered agent should provide your domestic or foreign LLC or corporation in Florida with reliable and professional service. The registered agent must be available and physically present at the registered office during normal business hours. This ensures that hand-delivered legal documents, such as time-sensitive services of process, are received and handled properly.

A lawsuit can still proceed against the corporation or LLC, even if its designated agent is not present to receive notice. By not receiving these documents in a timely manner, the company has less time to prepare and may risk a default judgment. 


Senior executive with his team discussing data in a conference room. Working as a Team. OneWebGetty2021

The registered agent should have up-to-date knowledge of Florida’s business formation law and other areas of business entity compliance. Staff should be trained in the proper handling of legal documents. Well-developed processes for delivering crucial notices and follow-up protocols regarding delivery should also exist.


Another consideration is registered agent coverage in the rest of the country to support your business as it expands into other states where additional registration and the appointment of a registered agent for your corporation or LLC is often necessary.

Select the best registered agent in your state

Why choose CT Corporation as your registered agent service provider in Florida?

CT Corporation's reliable, professional registered agent services help ensure that an LLC or corporation won’t miss a critical filing or endanger its good standing and the right to defend itself in court. You’ll benefit from monitoring tools and services that provide insight into your business compliance. With CT Corporation, you can have the confidence in knowing that you’re staying on top of your company’s compliance obligations.

CT Corporation provides registered agent services in all 50 states and D.C., and offers a full range of compliance services — such as formation, business license, and annual reports — for LLCs, corporations, and other business entities.

You can rely on CT Corporation to

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Record your registered agent information with the state — essential for keeping your business in good standing
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Receive state documents and legal notices, including service of process and wage garnishment notices, and promptly relay them to your designated contacts — so nothing gets overlooked
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Monitor laws and regulations — making sure you aren’t caught off guard by changes
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Designate a specific team to serve as your go-to resource for answers to your questions — meaning, you won’t get the run around
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Customize your registered agent services if you wish to include alerts of upcoming deadlines and forwarding of business documents — so you’ll have less to manage

Safeguard your business with America's most reliable registered agent service

Registered Agent package options:

Products

Registered agent services

Easily appoint your registered agent online within 10 minutes

Order Online - $374*

  • Registered agent services - includes a registered agent location within the state to receive legal and critical business communications and a dedicated team to receive and route all service of process legal notifications

  • Online portal - compliance portal to keep your business compliant 24/7

  • Name availability check - verification and reservation of desired business name within the state

    Not included

  • Incorporation services - completion and filing of all legal documents and Articles of Incorporation with the state

    Not included

  • Qualification services - preparation and filing of all qualification documents with the state

    Not included

  • Secure BOI Filing - File your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) within 90 days of your formation using our platform. You'll receive a separate email with details.

    Not included
Registered agent and incorporation filing

Our incorporation experts are here to help you start your business with a solid and smart foundation

Order Online - $1083 +state fees*

  • Registered agent services - includes a registered agent location within the state to receive legal and critical business communications and a dedicated team to receive and route all service of process legal notifications

  • Online portal - compliance portal to keep your business compliant 24/7

  • Name availability check - verification and reservation of desired business name within the state

  • Incorporation services - completion and filing of all legal documents and Articles of Incorporation with the state

  • Qualification services - preparation and filing of all qualification documents with the state

    Not included

  • Secure BOI Filing - File your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) within 90 days of your formation using our platform. You'll receive a separate email with details.

Registered agent and qualification filing

Legally register an existing business in another state

Order Online - $907 +state fees*

  • Registered agent services - includes a registered agent location within the state to receive legal and critical business communications and a dedicated team to receive and route all service of process legal notifications

  • Online portal - compliance portal to keep your business compliant 24/7

  • Name availability check - verification and reservation of desired business name within the state

  • Incorporation services - completion and filing of all legal documents and Articles of Incorporation with the state

    Not included

  • Qualification services - preparation and filing of all qualification documents with the state

  • Secure BOI Filing - File your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) within 90 days of your formation using our platform. You'll receive a separate email with details.

    Not included
FL Registered Agent FAQs
  • What is a FL registered agent for an LLC or corporation?

    A Florida registered agent is designated by a filing entity (such as an LLC or corporation) to receive any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the entity. Beyond alerting you to deadlines and court proceedings, some professional registered agents can also manage other documents for you at an incremental cost.

    Examples of documents received by a registered agent:

    • Service of process in connection with a lawsuit against the LLC or corporation
    • Notice of garnishment proceedings against an employee
    • Litigation documents once the lawsuit is underway, including motions or requests to produce documents
    • Legal notices
    • Government correspondence, such as notices concerning compliance requirements
  • How do I find a registered agent in Florida?
    Businesses must select a Florida registered agent prior to filing Articles of Incorporation or Organization with the state. You can easily appoint CT Corporation as your Registered Agent by contacting us or ordering online. The checkout process takes less than 10 minutes, and you will immediately receive the agent address. Our compliance specialists are also available on the phone to answer your questions and assist with your registered agent needs.
  • How do I change my registered agent in Florida?
    Changing your registered agent or registered office requires filing the proper documents with the Florida Division of Corporations. If you wish to change your current registered agent, CT Corporation makes it easy to switch. Visit Change of Registered Agent to learn more.
  • Does Florida require a registered agent?
    Florida law requires domestic and foreign legal entities such as LLCs and corporations to have and maintain a registered agent and office to receive any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on the entity. Your registered agent is responsible for receiving service of process and legal mandates for your company and promptly relaying them to the correct individuals within your business. A registered agent also receives important compliance information and official correspondence from state agencies, relaying them to the correct individuals you designate.
  • Do telehealth providers need a registered agent in Florida?
    Out-of-state healthcare professionals who provide telehealth services to patients in Florida must appoint a registered agent within the state to receive service of process notices, as well as correspondence from the Florida Department of Health. Visit our Registered Agent and Compliance Services for Telehealth page for more information.
  • What happens if I don’t have a registered agent in Florida for my LLC or corporation?
    Florida law requires entities such as LLCs and corporations to appoint and maintain a registered agent. Failure to do so can cost your company its good standing. This means you could lose the ability to secure loans and initiate lawsuits in the State of Florida. Not maintaining a Florida registered agent can endanger your limited liability protection.
  • If I don’t have a registered agent, can I still be sued in Florida?
    A Florida business can still be sued even if it does not have a registered agent in Florida to accept service of process. The court can obtain jurisdiction in another manner, but the business may not have timely notice of the lawsuit in order to mount a defense.
  • Can I serve as my own registered agent in Florida?

    Florida does not allow a business entity to serve as its own registered agent, but it does allow individuals and entities to be registered agents. Individuals must reside in the state and their business address must be identical to the address of the registered office. Entities must have an active Florida filing or registration, and their business address must be identical to the address of the registered office.

    Failure to perform the duties of a registered agent successfully can have serious adverse consequences for the corporation or LLC. For example, the improper handling of service of process may result in a default judgment. Having a professional registered agent ensures that potential scenarios such as personal emergencies, vacations, and meetings don’t cause you to miss or overlook the delivery of these important documents.

  • What is wage garnishment?

    If your LLC or corporation has employees, a wage garnishment is the type of court order or official notice it is likely to receive. State and federal courts and agencies can order an employer to garnish an employee’s wages.

    Federal law allows federal agencies to garnish the wages of individuals, for child support, tax liens, student loans, and consumer debt. Employers can be penalized for failing to comply with wage garnishment orders. For this reason, it’s very important to ensure your corporation or LLC has a professional registered agent handling its service of process. Approximately 7% of U.S. employees have their wages garnished, and if your company receives a garnishment and fails to take action in time, your company can be liable for the amount its employees owe.

  • What is service of process?

    Service of process is the procedure used to notify a person or entity that a legal action has been initiated against them. Service of process is governed by state or federal rules or statutes. Common methods used to serve process include personal delivery, certified mail, return receipt requested, and leaving the documents at a person’s dwelling or abode with a person of suitable age and discretion. Service of process on a corporation or LLC can be made on certain officers or agents, including the corporation or LLC’s registered agent.
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