Florida Resident Agent Service

Why Florida requires a resident agent

Florida's corporation act, ch. 607, and its LLC act, ch. 605, each require a registered office and a resident agent. The agent can be an individual living in Florida, another domestic authorized entity (for LLCs that means an LLC, LLP, LP or for-profit corporation), or a foreign authorized entity with authority to transact business in Florida. Whichever you use, its business address must be identical to the registered office. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.0501(1); sec. 605.0113(1), (6)

What happens if you lapse

• A corporation that does not appoint and keep a resident agent and registered office can be dissolved administratively, as can an LLC under sec. 605.0714(1)(c), once the department sends notice and 60 days pass without correction. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.1420(1)(c), (4); sec. 605.0714(1)(c)
• Until it meets the resident agent requirement, and pays any court-ordered penalty of $5 per day of noncompliance up to $500, a corporation (or an LLC under sec. 605.0113(5)) cannot bring or keep up a lawsuit in a Florida court, and the court may stay the case. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.0501(6)-(7); sec. 605.0113(5)
• An entity that transacts business in Florida, or owns real property there or a mortgage on Florida real property, and does not keep a registered office and agent owes the state $500 for each year (forgiven once it complies), may be told by a court to name one, risks up to $1,000 per day for disobeying that order, and cannot defend suits that the Department of Legal Affairs or any other state agency brings until it complies. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.0505(1)(b)
• A foreign corporation that fails to appoint and keep a resident agent gives grounds to revoke its certificate of authority, and ch. 605 holds the matching foreign-LLC provisions. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.1530(1)(c), (4)
• Reinstatement after administrative dissolution requires paying every fee and penalty then owed, a $600 filing fee when a corporation applies for reinstatement ($100 for an LLC), and signatures from the resident agent as well as an officer or director. Fla. Stat. sec. 607.1422(1); sec. 607.0122(13); sec. 605.0213(6)

Official Florida links

• Florida Department of State - (850) 245-6000
• Business entity search
• Statutes
• Annual report filing

Frequently asked

Do I need a resident agent in Florida?

Almost every state does, and the Florida rule is set out above with its citation. Where the law leaves a choice, a resident agent is still the practical way to make sure service of process reaches you.

How much does Florida resident agent service cost?

$129 a year, with no setup fee, the same price in all 50 states plus DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Service of process is received and scanned the same business day.

Can I switch my Florida resident agent to ResidentAgents.com?

Yes. Order online and we prepare the change of agent filing for you; the state's filing fee is shown on this page.