Florida LLC or Corporation (Articles of Organization / Incorporation): Miami restaurant guide

Florida Department of State — Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)

What it is

Creates the legal entity that will sign the lease and hold every license. The City's CU application asks for your business name exactly as registered with the Division of Corporations.

When a restaurant needs it

Before signing a lease or applying for any license.

How to apply

File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation online at Sunbiz and pay by card.

Documents you’ll need

Entity name
Principal and mailing address
Registered agent name, Florida street address and signature
Names of managers/members or officers

Fee

$125.00 to form an LLC ($100.00 Articles of Organization filing fee plus $25.00 registered agent designation); optional certified copy $30.00 and certificate of status $5.00 (maximum $160.00).

Processing time

Usually a few business days for online filings (check Sunbiz 'Current Processing Dates').

Renewal

Annual report every year, due by May 1 to avoid a $400 late fee (LLC annual report $138.75; profit corporation $150.00).

Who files

Any authorized person, attorney or formation service can file; the registered agent must sign acceptance.

Good to know

Missing the annual report by the third Friday in September leads to administrative dissolution, which can void license applications in the entity's name.

Official source

Sunbiz — file a Florida LLC · Sunbiz — annual report fees and deadline

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.