Florida Foreign Qualification & Certificate of Authority

Related: Get a Florida Registered Agent

If your company was not incorporated in Florida, but you wish to do business there, you need to register as a foreign entity with the state.

Florida Foreign Qualification allows a company formed in Delaware or any other state to legally transact business in Florida.

Please note: information on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, requirements and costs can be changed by states at any time and Harvard Business Services cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

How to Get a Florida Certificate of Authority:

The Florida Department of State - Division of Corporations requires different forms and fees depending on what type of entity you are operating.

Requirements for LLCs:

• File for a Florida Certificate of Authority
• Fee: $125
• For foreign qualification in Florida, a Certificate of Good Standing from your business's home state is required, dated within 90 days of the application. 

Requirements for Corporations:

• File an Application for a For-Profit Florida Certificate of Authority or a Non-Profit Florida Certificate of Authority
• Fee: $70 for for-profit and non-profit corporations 
• For foreign qualification in Florida, a Certificate of Good Standing from your business's home state is required, dated within 90 days of the application. 

You must also appoint and list a Florida Registered Agent. The Registered Agent must be maintained at all times. Harvard Business Services can provide this service at a cost of just $99/year.

Harvard Business Services can assist with your application so you don’t have to deal with the Florida Division of Corporations directly. We do charge our own fee for this service, in addition to state fees. The exact fee can vary based upon whether your company is already filed and whether you need us to obtain additional documents to meet the state’s requirements. Please contact us for an exact quote.

How Do I Know if I Need a Florida Certificate of Authority?

The most common reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:

• Opening a physical office or location
• Hiring employees
• Licensing authority
• Beginning a contract or job in the state 

Keep in mind that even if a Florida Certificate of Authority is not required for a specific activity, a bank, vendor or another party can still require one in order to establish a relationship.

Florida Annual Requirements

Once you have Foreign Qualification in Florida, state law requires an annual report to be filed by all corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships.

The annual report is due by May 1st. Any business that files after May 1st will be assessed a $400 late fee. Any entity that has not filed by the third Friday in September, will be administratively dissolved or canceled. 

The fees associated with Florida Annual Reports are as followed:

•  Profit Corporation: $150.00
•  Non-Profit Corporation: $61.25
•  LLC: $138.75
•  LP or LLP: $500

Please note that this annual requirement is independent from any obligations you may have in Delaware or other states.

Apply for Florida foreign qualification today if you’re ready to expand your business into the State of Florida. You can apply for your Florida Certificate of Authority with the help of Harvard Business Services, Inc. HBS can also serve as your registered agent in the State of Florida.

Our team offers live help on our website and is happy to speak directly when you call us at 1-800-345-2677. You can also email us with questions about foreign qualifications and acting as your Florida registered agent.