Florida Registered Agent Guide (2026)
Florida is an incredibly popular state for starting a business, but its public records database, known as Sunbiz, is infamous for broadcasting business owners' personal information to the entire internet.
Quick Answer
Florida requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Because the Florida Sunbiz database is heavily scraped by data brokers, you should always hire a commercial registered agent to keep your home address off the internet.
Key Points for 2026
- Electronic Signature: The registered agent must type their name to electronically sign the Articles of Organization on Sunbiz.
- Privacy Limitations: Hiring an agent hides your address, but Florida still forces you to list your personal name on the public record as the LLC's Manager or Authorized Member.
- Changing Agents: It costs $25 to change your agent in Florida, but you can do it for free during your Annual Report filing.
The Sunbiz Privacy Problem
The Florida Division of Corporations runs a website called Sunbiz.org. It is one of the most transparent, easily searchable business databases in the country.
If you act as your own registered agent and list your home address, that address will appear on Sunbiz. Within days, data brokers will scrape that information, and your home address will appear on dozens of third-party business directories that index highly on Google.
If you run a home-based business, you will immediately begin receiving spam mail, fake invoices from scammers, and potentially unwanted visits from customers.
Hiring a commercial agent solves the address problem, but it does not solve the name problem. Florida requires you to list the "Authorized Representative" (you) on the form. If you want a completely anonymous LLC, you should not form it in Florida. Look into Wyoming or Delaware instead.
How to Hire a Florida Agent
The process is simple, but the order of operations matters:
- Hire the Agent First: Go to a company like Northwest Registered Agent or ZenBusiness and purchase their Florida service (usually $125/year).
- Get Their Information: They will provide you with their exact legal name and their Florida street address.
- File on Sunbiz: When filling out your Articles of Organization, enter their information in the Registered Agent section.
- Electronic Signature: In the agent signature box, you simply type the name of the commercial agent company (or the specific employee they designate) to signify their consent.
What to Do Next
- Get your Agent: Secure your Florida commercial agent before you attempt to file your paperwork.
- Ready to form? Read our complete, step-by-step Florida LLC Formation Guide.