Florida Foreign LLCs

If you're a limited liability company (LLC) owner with a growing business, yous may be wondering how to legally expand your business to other states.

Most states, like Florida, require out-of-state LLCs to register earlier transacting business organization there.

Here, we'll walk you through the steps needed to register your established LLC in the state of Florida.

What is a Florida Strange LLC?

A Florida Foreign LLC is an LLC formed in another state that wishes to transact business organisation in Florida.

In this example, "foreign" refers to the company being from some other country, not from another country.

The procedure for a Florida Foreign LLC to register to practise business in Florida is called strange qualification.

"Transacting business" isn't explicitly defined in Florida state law, although the Florida statues include a partial of activities that do not constitute transacting business in the state.

If you have a physical presence (similar an part or store) or employees within the country, y'all'll likely need to apply for foreign qualification.

How tin can a foreign LLC annals to do business in Florida?

Below is a pace-by-step guide to foreign qualification in Florida.

1. Gild a Certificate of Existence from your state.

Florida requires the strange LLC to file a Certificate of Existence.

A Certificate of Existence is a document issued by your home state that shows your LLC is in skilful standing. "Expert standing" means that y'all've met state requirements and paid the necessary fees.

It'due south a adept idea to society your Document of Existence as soon as y'all decide to file for foreign qualification.

2. Make sure you meet Florida's registration requirements.

Florida requires certain items for their strange LLCs. The requirements may exist similar to the ones in your state.

The name of the Florida Foreign LLC must be unique. It must comprise the designation "Limited Liability Company," "Fifty.Fifty.C.," or "LLC." The LLC must besides engage a registered agent, who tin have service of process.

Additional Florida requirements for the qualification include:

  • The name and contact information of the private responsible for the LLC awarding
  • The proper noun of the LLC in your domicile state
  • The land where yous initially organized your LLC
  • If applicative, your Federal Employer Identification Number/Employer Identification Number (FEI/EIN)
  • The physical address of your LLC
  • The mailing address of your LLC, if it'southward unlike
  • The name, address, and championship of all the members, managers, and authorized persons of the LLC

3. Fill out an Application for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida.

One time you've gathered all of the information and made sure you've met the requirements, the next step is to fill up out the application. This is called the Application by Foreign Express Liability Company for Say-so to Transact Business organization in Florida. It is available online.

It tin can be filled out online and printed, or printed so filled out in pen.

Finally, someone with authority for the LLC must sign the application, along with the registered agent.

iv. File the application, along with the required fee, and a cover alphabetic character.

Once filled out, y'all should postal service the awarding, a cover letter, the Document of Beingness, and the required fee to:

Division of Corporations

Registration Section

P.O. Box 6327

Tallahassee, FL 32314

The basic fee is $125, which includes the filing fee and the designation of a registered agent. You tin too go a certified re-create or a Certificate of Condition for boosted fees.

5. Once registered, file an Annual Report each year before May 1.

Once the LLC is registered in Florida, make certain you file an annual study each yr. The first i is not due until the year later you lot've registered in Florida.

After that, you must pay the $138.75 fee each yr, forth with filing the annual report, before May 1. If you don't, you may lose your "active" status in Florida.

"Out-of-country companies that do business in Florida may face a big surprise if they are sued. Either pay all the annual written report fees and late fees that they were required to pay or be prohibited from fairly defending itself in courtroom."

According to BrewerLong chaser, Trevor Brewer

Follow these steps to get started conducting business in Florida. If you're looking for a little help, an experienced Florida attorney can help make sure your LLC is all gear up and ready to go.

CONTACT BREWERLONG FOR YOUR FLORIDA Foreign LLC QUALIFICATION

To get some assistance registering your strange LLC in Florida, call our function at 407-660-2964, contact united states of america online, or email us at contact@brewerlong.com.

Author Photo

Primarily working with business owners and their families, Trevor advises clients on business structuring and sale transactions, regulatory compliance, third-party contracts, liability protection and full general matters facing modest business owners. His focus extends beyond legal advice and includes business organization strategy and wealth preservation. Trevor also works with families regarding their manor planning needs, including probate, trust administration, and wills.