Can a Foreigner Form an LLC in Florida?
Yes. Florida permits foreign nationals and non-US residents to form and own LLCs without citizenship or residency restrictions. Under Fla. Stat. § 605.0201, an LLC may have one or more members of any nationality. File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, pay the $125 filing fee, appoint a Florida registered agent, and your LLC is formed. The process is identical for foreign and domestic owners.
Formation Requirements
File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. Include your LLC name (with "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company" designator), principal office street address (can be outside Florida), and a Florida registered agent with a physical Florida street address and written acceptance (Fla. Stat. § 605.0213).
The filing fee is $125.00. File online at https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/efile/fl-llc/ for faster processing, or mail to P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. An authorized representative may sign and file on your behalf—you need not be present.
Registered Agent Requirement
You must appoint a Florida registered agent with a physical Florida street address. This person or entity receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. The agent cannot be a P.O. box. Most foreign owners hire a registered agent service to satisfy this requirement.
Name Availability
Your LLC name must be distinguishable in Florida Department of State records. Search available names at https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName before filing.
If you operate under a name different from your LLC's legal name, register a fictitious name (DBA) for $50.00 with the Florida Division of Corporations.
Additional Considerations
You do not need U.S. citizenship, a Social Security number, or a visa to form the LLC. However, you may need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for banking and tax purposes.
Next Steps
- Search your desired LLC name at https://search.sunbiz.org/
- Appoint a Florida registered agent
- File Articles of Organization online or by mail with the $125 fee
- Contact the Florida Division of Corporations at (850) 245-6052 with questions
Processing times vary by workload; online filings are typically faster.
This is general information, not legal advice.