Florida LLC Registered Agent
These are persons or entities that agree to accept service of process and official mailings on behalf of your Florida LLC.
When you are sued against, Service of Process or legal papers will be sent to your Registered Agent for LLC. The state may also send reminders and notices to your LLC via the Registered Agent.
A Florida Registered Agent is required to provide a normal business hours (9-5) M-F address.
Can have the address of someone at the law firm on records and designate this person as registered agent if you wish; other states allow P, O. Box for LLC Registered Agent but not Florida No PO Box Addresses.
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Do You Need a Registered Agent in Florida?
Florida requires all business entities to have a Registered Agent when forming an LLC. Also, keep in mind that a Registered Agent has to stay on file with the state as long as you have an LLC.
Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Florida?
A Registered Agent handles the service of process when your company is sued and will see to it that the LLC receives proof of delivery for legal documents.
Thus, all companies such as corporations and LLCs are obligated to have a Registered Agent on file with the state.
Or the Registered Agent of your LLC if you want to get someone involved in legal stuff. Florida requires an LLC to name a Registered Agent for each one, in order that courtroom files can be accurately served and tracked.
💡 Tip:
Choosing a professional Registered Agent Service can help keep your personal address private and off public records.
Who can serve as my Florida Registered agent?
Florida Registered Agent: You have 3 options for who your registered agent will be.
- You
- A friend or family member.
- Florida Registered Agent Service
While it may be cheaper to act as your Registered Agent, doing so does have its drawbacks.
What are the risks?
If you do decide to act as your own Florida Registered Agent, there are many pitfalls you may encounter such as:
- Missing vital state notifications
- Subject to administrative dissolution
- Service of Process (Loose Legal Cannon)
The problem is worse if you:
- Move without updating your residential address with the state
- You often travel or are away from home for many hours
- No address you can trust
- Neglect to observe your mail daily
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Not posting an important notice from the state
The Division of Corporations of Florida or other agencies in the state are going to need a fast way to send important notices your business.
These notices will often require certain actions by your LLC on specific deadlines. Not meeting these deadlines could result in costly penalties and fees.
Administrative Dissolution
If your LLC is dissolved by the Florida Division of Corporations, this will lead to having numerous consequences.
The state does not peek at your LLC every day, but if it finds that you are overdue for renewal and unable to reach you due to an incorrect address listed on the record.
Default Judgment
The process server will make several attempts of service to your business, in case it involve an LLC lawsuit.
This indicates that the assumption from which we were referring earlier — also known as piercing of the corporate veil, it gives rise to an expectation that doing so is easier than previously believed — applies in reverse and can lead someone who has brought a litigation against your LLC on his behalf defenselessly. Typically, your LLC gets slapped with a default judgment as well.
The person you are suing with your LLC does not need to defend itself with the present of yourself. This generally ends in a summary judgment against you as well your LLC.
Contempt of Court
If you have an LLC that is involved in a lawsuit, expect to receive a subpoena. Requesting your testimony or records.
And if you fail to reply, you can be held in contempt of court. This approach can result in fees or the issuance of a bench warrant, through which the sheriff gets your data IOR makes you go to court.
📝 Note:
Your Registered Agent's information is part of the public record, which means your address could appear on multiple websites.
Do YOU need to be your own Registered Agent?
In Florida, you are allowed to be your own Registered Agent. When there are risks, they tend to be rare and you should pay for savings with a bit more time penning the index directly.
But there are benefits to a professional Registered Agent Service as well, such as keeping your home address private.
Florida Registered Agent Information is Public
You can just as easily appoint a friend or family member to be the Registered Agent of your LLC. However, that means the public can soon stroll up to your front door.
The information you provide in your Articles of Organization, including the Registered Agent address will be held on file with the Florida Division of Corporations and available to anyone that wants it.
Listing your address as the LLCs Registered Agent Address will make it public and can be potentially to multiple websites.
Once this info pops up on another sites – it propagates, by now your address can be slammed into Google.
We can assist in hiding your address if you do not wish for it to be publicly known.
🔔 Special Offer!
Set up your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent for $39+ state fees and get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Discover why Northwest is a top choice check out our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Protect Our Address from Public Records
While in many cases business owners throughout Florida work from their homes, remember that the address of your Registered Agent (if you use a service) will be visible on public records via address listed on LLC Articles of Organization.
Hire an Florida Registered Agent Service to keep away your residential address Your address will not necessarily appear on the public record for your Articles of Organization (just theirs, if they are available.
Which is the Best Florida Registered Agent?
Which Florida Registered Agent is best for your business depends on a few different factors.
You:
If you meet all of the following requirements to be your Registered Agent in Florida.
- You live in Florida
- You use a Florida physical address
- Just remember, your address will be displayed on public records.
Why choose this? The same is a good option to save some money as you do not have to pay for Registered Agent Service.
Friend or Family:
Anyone Can Be Your Florida Registered Agent if you are:
- They live in Florida
- They are relatively new (not always) and have an address on a street in Florida.
- They must also be willing to disclose their address on public records.
Why choose this? That is a great thing to take advantage of if you do not live in Florida and want to save some money by skipping the Registered Agent Service hiring process.
Florida Resident Agent Service:
The price of membership with such services tends to fall in the $100-$300/year range. They will then forward the mail they receive to you or, in some cases (if digital), upload it directly to an online account.
Why choose this option? It's a good choice if you:
- Don't live in Florida
- No Friend Or Family Whose Address You Can Use
- Unavailability for normal business hours mail delivery
- Do Not Want Your Address Listed in the Articles of Organization
💡 Tip:
Choosing a Registered Agent Service not only ensures compliance but also helps you maintain privacy and avoid legal complications.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida?
The time it takes to form an LLC in Florida varies depending on the filing method:
- Filing online: Typically, the state processes and approves online filings within 1-2 business days.
- Filing by mail: If you mail in your Articles of Organization, the state usually processes them within 5-7 business days. Overall, it may take around 3-4 weeks to receive your approval documents by mail.
Can a Florida LLC use an out-of-state address?
Yes, a Florida LLC can use an out-of-state address for its mailing purposes and Principal Office Address.
However, the Registered Agent for the LLC must have a physical address in Florida. If you prefer not to use your home address, you can hire a Registered Agent Service, such as Northwest Registered Agent. This service provides a Florida address for your business, ensuring compliance with state requirements while keeping your personal information private.
What is the best Registered Agent Service in Florida?
We strongly recommend Northwest Registered Agent as the best option for Registered Agent Services in Florida. They are our top choice due to their outstanding service and commitment to privacy protection. For more information, you can read our full review of Northwest Registered Agent.
Can I use a PO Box for my LLC in Florida?
While a PO Box can be used as your LLC’s mailing address, it cannot serve as the Principal Office address or the Registered Agent address. Both the Principal Office and Registered Agent must have a physical address in Florida.
Can I serve as my own Registered Agent in Florida?
Yes, you can act as the Registered Agent for your LLC in Florida. You can also appoint any consenting adult resident of Florida, including yourself, a friend, or a family member, as long as they have a street address in Florida.
Remember that the address you use will become part of the public record. If you wish to keep your address private, consider using a Registered Agent Service like Northwest Registered Agent. They provide an address for your LLC, maintain your privacy, and ensure compliance with Florida's legal requirements.
Is there a difference between a Registered Agent, Agent of Process, and Statutory Agent?
No, there is no difference between a Registered Agent, Agent of Process, and Statutory Agent. These terms all refer to the same role, which is to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC.