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Florida asks every LLC to "designate and continuously maintain" a registered office and a registered agent in the state. That wording comes from s. 605.0113, Florida Statutes. Corporations follow a nearly identical rule in s. 607.0501. The filing office is the Division of Corporations, which runs Sunbiz. For searching and annual reports, see our Florida business guide.
Three ways to fill the role
Section 605.0113(1)(b) allows:
- An individual who resides in Florida and whose business address is the same as the registered office.
- Another Florida entity that is an authorized entity, at the registered office address.
- A foreign entity authorized to transact business in Florida that is an authorized entity, at the same address.
The statute defines an authorized entity as a for profit corporation, an LLC, a limited liability partnership, or a limited partnership. A nonprofit corporation is not on that list.
The word "another" matters. The Division's FAQ states it outright: an entity cannot serve as its own registered agent. A person inside the business, such as an owner or manager who lives in Florida, can.
The acceptance statement
Florida wants the agent's own signature on the record. Every initial agent, and every replacement, files a written statement accepting the appointment at the same time it is designated. The statement must say the agent is familiar with and accepts the obligations of the position (s. 605.0113(2)).
What the agent does
Florida keeps the agent's duties short. Under s. 605.0113(3) the agent must:
- forward any process, notice or demand served on it to the company, at the address the company most recently gave the agent;
- if it resigns, send the company the notice the resignation statute requires.
The Department of State keeps the record of each company's agent and registered office.
Fees for agent filings
The Division's LLC fee list shows:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registered agent fee, part of a new Florida or foreign LLC filing | $25 |
| Change of registered agent | $25 |
| Registered agent resignation, active LLC | $85 |
| Registered agent resignation, dissolved LLC | $25 |
To change agents, an LLC files a statement of change under s. 605.0114. It gives the company name, the current agent, the new agent and the registered office street address. The new agent's written acceptance goes with it.
Foreign LLCs and agents who want out
The rule is not only for Florida companies. A foreign LLC holding a Florida certificate of authority under s. 605.0902 must keep its own Florida agent and office too, under the same section.
If you are the agent and want to stop, the Division's FAQ says to print the resignation form for the entity type and mail it with the fee. For an LLC that is $85 while the company is active, or $25 once it is dissolved (LLC fee list). You must also send the company the notice the resignation statute requires, at the last address it gave you.
The cost of letting it lapse
Florida's penalty hits in court. Section 605.0113(5) says an LLC, or a foreign LLC with a certificate of authority, may not bring or maintain a lawsuit in a Florida court until it complies. To the extent a court orders it, the company also pays the Department $5 for each day it failed to comply or $500, whichever is less. Section 607.0501(6) applies the same rule to corporations. So a company that lets its agent lapse can find its own lawsuit stalled until it fixes the record.
Finding who a Florida company uses
Sunbiz lets you search by company name, by document number, and by officer or registered agent name. Open a company's detail page to see the registered agent's name and Florida address. Our registered agent lookup guide explains what to do when the agent on file has resigned. For neighbouring rules, see the Georgia registered agent guide or the overview of all states.
Forming a new company? See how to start an LLC in Florida.