How to Register a Florida Series LLC

A Series LLC is a type of business entity that allows a “parent” LLC (also called the “master LLC”) to create divisions within itself called “series” or “cell” LLCs. If properly formed, each series LLC has its own assets, finances, members, and limited liability. This means that if one of the series faces financial penalties or legal action, neither the parent LLC nor the other series will be held liable—assuming the parent and each series has been conducting business separately with different owners, managing their own assets and debts.

Florida will not allow you to form a series LLC in the state, but if you’ve formed your series LLC in another state that allows them, you can register each series doing business in the state of Florida as a foreign LLC. There are a lot of reasons why you may want to bring your series LLC to Florida: a growing consumer base, real estate investment, or the state’s lack of income tax (just to name a few). Whatever your reason, you’ll have to register your series as a foreign entity.

The Series LLC Guide: Learn about the Series LLC business structure in general, which states allow it, and the main steps involved in starting a Series LLC.

Florida requires a registered agent with a permanent address in the state of Florida (per FL Stat § 607.0501 ) for each series you register in the state. This means you’ll need an adult individual or a registered agent service who can accept service of process for your LLC during normal business hours.

If you’re registering a foreign series LLC in Florida, you probably don’t live in the state. If this is the case, it means you’re not qualified to be your own registered agent in Florida. It’s common for foreign LLCs (series or not) to hire a registered agent service.

Hiring a registered agent service like Northwest ensures you’ll have a permanent address in Florida to accept service of process for your series. There can also be other benefits. For example, our registered agent service includes a business address and free mail forwarding to better protect your privacy and help your business run smoothly.

Florida Registered Agent: Learn more about Florida Registered Agents.

To register a foreign series LLC with the Florida Division of Corporations, you must submit an Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida. This form is also used to register a typical foreign LLC, but per FL Stat § 605.0902 (2021), each series or cell of a foreign Series LLC operating in Florida is required to submit a separate application for certificate of authority, and to file as if each series or cell were a separate foreign LLC.

Each application begins with a cover letter form that is required to be submitted with your application. All you need for the cover letter is the name of your series LLC (as it appears on the certificate of existence), and the name and company address of a correspondent in your company, as well as their daytime telephone number.

For the rest of the application, see the document below and click on any number to find out what information is required in the corresponding sections.

When you file your application with the Florida Division of Corporations, you’ll also need an authenticated certificate of existence issued by your home jurisdiction. When you submit this certificate with your other documentation, it can’t more than 90 days old upon filing. You’ll also need to make sure you order a certificate of existence that belongs to your series, not the parent LLC. You can order a certificate of existence (sometimes called a certificate of good standing) from your state’s filing office. The time it takes to issue your certificate will vary depending on where your LLC was formed.

Your certificate of existence needs to be submitted with your Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business, cover letter, and the appropriate filing fee. The price of the filing fee will vary depending on what you want for your series LLC. The lowest you’ll pay to register your foreign series LLC is $125. This includes the $100 application fee and the $25 fee required to designate a new Florida registered agent.

The BOI Report is a federally-mandated filing for (nearly) all businesses operating in the U.S. Unless you qualify for one of the 23 BOI exemptions, you’ll need to file your report within 90 days of forming your series LLC . (This drops down to 30 days in 2025.) The good news? You only have to file once for your series LLC, regardless of how many child pages you acquire. Just make sure to update any pertinent information within 30 days. The better news? We can file for you with our secure BOI Reporting Service.

Once your application is accepted by the Florida Division of Corporations, you are ready to conduct business legally in the state of Florida. In order to maintain your good standing as a foreign series LLC, you’re require to file a Florida Annual Report before May 1 of every year you remain in the state. You must file an annual report individually for each series LLC you’ve registered in Florida. The annual report can only be filed online through the division’s online portal.

The Division of Corporations charges $138.75 to file your annual report. If you fail to file you annual report on time, you’ll be charged a late fee of $400.

How much does it cost to register a Florida Series LLC?

At least $125. The Florida Division of Corporations charges a $100 application fee combined with a $25 fee for your LLC’s designation of a Florida registered agent. You can pay an extra fee of $30 to receive a Certified Copy, or another $5 for a Certificate of Status.

You can pay the fee online or submit one check made payable to the Florida Department of State for the total amount of the filing fee and any optional certificates or copies.

How long does it take to register a Florida Series LLC?

It will take the Florida Division of Corporations roughly 7 business days to process your foreign series LLC’s qualification after they receive it.

How can I register my Florida Series LLC?

You can register your series LLC in Florida by submitting your Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business to the Florida Division of Corporations. They accept submissions online, through the mail, or delivered by courier:

Mailing Address:
Registration Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Courier Address:
Registration Section
Division of Corporations
The Centre of Tallahassee
2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810
Tallahassee, FL 32303

Does a Florida Series LLC need a registered agent?

Yes. Per FL Stat § 607.0501, your foreign series LLC is required to appoint a registered agent who is a Florida resident. Your series LLC will already have at least one other registered agent to accept service of process in your home jurisdiction (and any other state your series LLC may be operating in), but you will also be required to designate a different Florida registered agent for each series LLC you register with the Division of Corporations.