Register a Foreign Corporation in Florida

Your company already has a business name. However, that name might not be available in Florida. Since names are registered on the state level, you will have to complete a free business name search to see if your company’s name is available. If it is not, you will need to file the Florida Fictitious Name Registration in order to operate under a new business name in Florida. It costs $50.

Your foreign corporation will need a Florida registered agent to receive legal mail, like lawsuits, on your business’s behalf. All businesses registered with the state of Florida are required to have a registered agent that is physically located in Florida during regular business hours. This can be an individual over 18 years old or a business entity.

Not sure who you can trust? We offer nationwide registered agent service so you can have uninterrupted service no matter how far your corporation stretches.

Your business identity starts as soon as someone learns about your business. From whether or not you have a local Florida phone number to if customers can find a safe, personalized business website that easily shows you operate in Florida, your business identity help you seem like an established, trustworthy business, even if it’s day one of operating in the state.

Your company will need to get a certificate of existence or good standing from its home state. This document shows that your corporation is up-to-date on its reports and taxes. It needs to be no older than 90 days when you submit it alongside your Florida foreign corporation application.

You will need to file your Application by Foreign Corporation for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida with the Florida Department of State, New Filings Section, Division of Corporations. You must include a valid certificate of existence or good standing from your home state, dated within 90 days of your Florida registration.

Your Florida foreign corporation application costs $70.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter (included on the application form)
• The corporation name
• The alternative corporate name for transacting business in Florida, if applicable
• The state of incorporation
• FEI number, if applicable
• Date of incorporation
• Date of duration (if other than perpetual)
• Date you began transacting business in Florida
• Principal street address
• Current mailing address if different
• Name and address of Florida registered agent
• Signature of Florida registered agent
• The name and address of the corporation’s directors
• Signature of an authorized director/officer

After registering as a Florida foreign corporation, you will be on the hook for Florida annual reports and taxes. Here’s what that looks like.

• Florida annual report. Your Florida annual report is due before May 1^st every year. It costs $150 and can be filed through Florida’s SunBiz online portal. There is a $400 late fee.
• Florida corporate taxes. Your Florida corporate income/franchise tax is set at 5.5%. Your corporate income tax due date depends on the end of your taxable year.