What Is the Cost of a Registered Agent in Florida?
Every Florida business entity pays for two separate costs when designating and maintaining a registered agent: state filing fees collected by the Florida Division of Corporations and commercial service fees charged by private registered agent providers. Distinguishing between these two categories is essential for accurate budgeting at formation and throughout the entity’s life.
State filing fees are fixed amounts published on the Division of Corporations fee schedule and apply only when a filing is submitted at formation, when changing an agent, or when an agent resigns. Florida is one of the few states that charges a separate registered agent designation fee as a distinct line item at formation, in addition to the entity’s base filing fee. There is no recurring annual state fee imposed solely for maintaining a registered agent.
Commercial service fees are annual charges paid to a professional registered agent company for receiving service of process and maintaining a compliant registered office on behalf of the entity. These fees typically range from $50 to $300 per year in Florida, depending on the provider and service tier. An entity that designates an individual Florida resident — such as an owner, officer, or director — as its own registered agent pays no commercial service fee.
Florida law does not require any entity to hire a commercial registered agent service. Under the Florida Business Corporation Act (Fla. Stat.) § 607.0501, a corporation must simply designate and continuously maintain a registered agent who is either a Florida resident individual, a domestic authorized entity, or a foreign entity authorized to transact business in the state. Parallel requirements apply to LLCs under Fla. Stat. § 605.0113, to nonprofit corporations under Fla. Stat. § 617.0501, and to limited partnerships under Fla. Stat. § 620.1114.
Florida State Filing Fees for Registered Agent Appointments
Florida charges a separate registered agent designation fee at formation — a line item distinct from the entity’s base filing fee. The registered agent designation fee is $35 for corporations and limited partnerships and $25 for LLCs. Both fees are mandatory and must be paid when filing the entity’s formation document with the Division of Corporations. This makes Florida unusual among U.S. states, most of which bundle the registered agent designation into the formation filing fee at no additional charge.
The following table summarizes state filing fees at formation, including the separate registered agent designation fee, for each entity type recognized by the Division.
| Entity Type | Form | Filing Fee |
| Domestic For-Profit Corporation | Articles of Incorporation | $70 ($35 filing + $35 RA) |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | Articles of Incorporation | $70 ($35 filing + $35 RA) |
| Foreign For-Profit Corporation | Application for Authorization | $70 ($35 filing + $35 RA) |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | Application for Authorization | $70 ($35 filing + $35 RA) |
| Domestic LLC | Articles of Organization | $125 ($100 filing + $25 RA) |
| Foreign LLC | Application for Authorization | $125 ($100 filing + $25 RA) |
| Domestic LP / LLLP | Certificate of Limited Partnership | $1,000 ($965 filing + $35 RA) |
| Foreign LP / LLLP | Application for Authorization | $1,000 ($965 filing + $35 RA) |
| LLP (Domestic or Foreign) | Statement of Qualification | $25 |
Corporation fees — including the $35 registered agent designation — are detailed in the corporation fee section of the Division’s fee schedule. LLC formation and registered agent fees appear in the LLC fee section, and limited partnership fees in the LP fee section. LLP fees, including the $25 Statement of Qualification, are listed in the general partnership fee section.
All formation filings can be submitted online through the Sunbiz e-filing portal. Mail filings are accepted at the Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. The Division accepts credit cards, checks, and money orders; no credit-card surcharge is currently listed on the official fee schedule.
Note: The optional certified copy ($8.75) and certificate of status ($8.75) that appear on Division invoices for corporations are not required. The mandatory minimum for a new corporation is $70; for an LLC, $125.
State Filing Fee to Change a Registered Agent
When an entity replaces its registered agent or updates the registered office address after formation, it must file a statement of change with the Division of Corporations. The filing fee varies by entity type: $35 for corporations and limited partnerships and $25 for LLCs. The successor agent’s written acceptance must accompany the statement, as required by Fla. Stat. § 607.0502 for corporations and Fla. Stat. § 605.0114 for LLCs. Alternatively, an entity may update its registered agent at no additional charge by including the change on its annual report filing.
The following table details the filing fees for all registered-agent-related actions.
| Action | Form | Filing Fee |
| Change of Registered Agent — Corporation | Statement of Change | $35 |
| Change of Registered Agent — LLC | Statement of Change | $25 |
| Change of Registered Agent — LP / LLLP | Statement of Change | $35 |
| Resignation of RA — Active Corporation | Statement of Resignation | $87.50 |
| Resignation of RA — Inactive Corporation | Statement of Resignation | $35 |
| Resignation of RA — Active LLC | Statement of Resignation | $85 |
| Resignation of RA — Dissolved LLC | Statement of Resignation | $25 |
| Resignation of RA — LP / LLLP | Statement of Resignation | $87.50 |
Corporation change-of-agent and resignation fees are published in the corporate fee schedule. LLC fees — including the $25 change and $85 active resignation — appear on the LLC fee page. LP change and resignation fees are listed on the LP fee page.
Online changes can be submitted through the Sunbiz manage/change e-filing portal. Changes may also be filed by mail or in person at the Division of Corporations, Clifton Building, 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. For general inquiries, contact the Division at CorpHelp@dos.fl.gov or (850) 245-6000.
Note: A registered agent can also update its registered office address on the entity’s annual report at no separate fee beyond the annual report filing fee itself: $150 for a for-profit corporation, $138.75 for an LLC, or $61.25 for a nonprofit corporation. This approach avoids the standalone change-of-agent filing fee.
What Is Included in a Registered Agent Service Fee?
A commercial registered agent’s annual service fee covers the operational cost of maintaining a compliant registered office and forwarding legal documents on behalf of the entity. The specific inclusions vary by provider and pricing tier, but most services in the $50 to $300 annual range share a common set of core features. The service fee is entirely separate from any state filing fee paid to the Division of Corporations.
Core services (generally included at all price levels):
- A physical street address in Florida to serve as the entity’s registered office on file with the Division of Corporations, satisfying the requirement that the agent’s business address be “identical to the address of the registered office” under Fla. Stat. § 607.0501(1)(b).
- Receipt of service of process, legal notices, tax correspondence, and official state communications during normal business hours.
- Same-day or next-day scanning and uploading of received documents to an online account.
- Email notification alerts when a document is received on behalf of the entity.
Additional services (included by some providers or at higher tiers):
- Compliance reminders for annual report deadlines and other filing requirements.
- Use of the registered agent’s address on formation documents to keep the owner’s personal address off the Sunbiz public record search.
- Mail forwarding for general business correspondence beyond legal and government documents.
- Pre-populated state forms accessible within the online account.
What is NOT included in a standard registered agent service fee:
- State filing fees, formation fees, change-of-agent fees, annual report fees, and resignation fees are paid separately to the Division of Corporations per the published fee schedule.
- Preparation or filing of annual reports or other periodic compliance documents, unless purchased as a separate add-on.
- Legal advice or representation.
- Expedited processing of state filings.
Registered Agent Cost When Forming a New Florida Business
The total first-year cost of having a registered agent combines the state formation filing fee — which in Florida includes a separate registered agent designation fee — with the annual commercial service fee, if any. An entity that designates an individual Florida resident as its own agent eliminates the commercial service fee but still pays the full state formation fee, including the mandatory registered agent designation component.
The following table presents total year-one costs for each major entity type.
| Entity Type | State Formation Fee | Commercial RA (Year 1) | Total Year 1 Cost |
| Domestic For-Profit Corporation | $70 | $0–$300 | $70–$370 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | $70 | $0–$300 | $70–$370 |
| Foreign Corporation (Profit or Nonprofit) | $70 | $0–$300 | $70–$370 |
| Domestic LLC | $125 | $0–$300 | $125–$425 |
| Foreign LLC | $125 | $0–$300 | $125–$425 |
| Domestic LP / LLLP | $1,000 | $0–$300 | $1,000–$1,300 |
| Foreign LP / LLLP | $1,000 | $0–$300 | $1,000–$1,300 |
| LLP (Domestic or Foreign) | $25 | $0–$300 | $25–$325 |
The $0 figure in the commercial service column reflects entities where a qualifying Florida resident serves as the entity’s own registered agent. Eligibility requirements for who may serve are set by Fla. Stat. § 605.0113 for LLCs, Fla. Stat. § 607.0501 for corporations, and Fla. Stat. § 620.1114 for limited partnerships. Formation fees can be verified on the LLC fee section and the corporation fee section of the Division’s fee schedule, and filings submitted through the Sunbiz e-filing portal.
Many commercial registered agent services offer the first year of service as part of a bundled formation package. Before purchasing, confirm whether the quoted price includes:
- The state filing fee (including the registered agent designation fee).
- The registered agent service fee for year one.
- The renewal price for subsequent years.
Some providers advertise low introductory rates but charge significantly higher renewal fees beginning in year two. For example, a provider might quote $39 for year-one formation services but charge $149 or more annually for the registered agent component.
Cost of Serving as Your Own Registered Agent in Florida
An individual who resides in Florida may serve as the registered agent for any entity formed or registered in the state, provided the individual’s business address is identical to the entity’s registered office address. The entity itself cannot serve as its own registered agent in Florida — the agent must be a natural person residing in the state or another authorized business entity. Each registered agent must file a written statement accepting the appointment, confirming that the agent “is familiar with, and accepts, the obligations of that position.”
Cost of self-designation:
- Commercial service fee: $0.
- State filing fee at formation: Included in the standard formation fee. The registered agent designation fee ($25 for LLCs, $35 for corporations and LPs) is mandatory regardless of whether the agent is an individual or a commercial service, as listed on the Division’s fee schedule.
- State filing fee to update address: The entity must file a statement of change at the applicable fee ($25 for LLCs, $35 for corporations) whenever the registered agent’s address changes.
Tradeoffs of self-designation:
| Factor | Self as Registered Agent | Commercial Service |
| Annual cost | $0 | $50–$300 per year |
| Privacy | A personal address appears on the Sunbiz public record | The provider’s address shields the owner’s address |
| Business hours availability | Must be available at the registered office during business hours | Provider staffs the office on the entity’s behalf |
| Service of process delivery | Delivered directly to the owner at the registered address | Scanned, uploaded, and forwarded electronically |
| Address updates | Must file statement of change ($25–$35) if address changes | The provider handles address continuity |
| Compliance monitoring | The owner tracks deadlines independently | The provider sends reminders for annual reports and filings |
| Eligibility requirement | Must be a Florida resident individual | Must be an authorized entity or a Florida resident |
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Agent Costs in Florida
Is there a fee to designate a registered agent when forming a Florida LLC or corporation?
Yes. Florida is one of the few states that charges a separate registered agent designation fee at formation, in addition to the entity’s base filing fee. For an LLC, the registered agent fee is $25, bringing the total formation cost to $125. For a corporation — whether for-profit or nonprofit — the registered agent fee is $35, bringing the total to $70. These fees are listed on the LLC fee section and the corporation fee section of the Division’s fee schedule.
How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Florida?
The filing fee to change a registered agent is $35 for corporations and limited partnerships and $25 for LLCs. The fee is the same for both for-profit and nonprofit corporations. Filings can be submitted online through the Sunbiz manage/change portal or by mail to P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. The entity may also update its registered agent on its annual report at no additional fee beyond the report’s standard filing fee.
Can I designate myself as a registered agent to avoid the annual service fee?
Yes, provided the individual resides in Florida and maintains a business address identical to the entity’s registered office. Self-designation eliminates the commercial service fee entirely. The trade-off is that the individual’s personal address becomes part of the public record on the Sunbiz search database, and the individual must be available during business hours to accept service of process. If the individual’s address changes, a statement of change must be filed at a cost of $25 to $35, depending on entity type.
What is the annual cost of Northwest Registered Agent in Florida?
Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year for registered agent service in Florida. The fee includes a physical registered office address, receipt and forwarding of service of process and government correspondence, same-day document scanning, email alerts, and an online account with compliance reminders and pre-populated state forms.
Does the registered agent service fee include the state filing fee?
No. The commercial registered agent service fee and the state filing fee are entirely separate charges. The annual service fee — typically $50 to $300 — covers the provider’s operational services. State filing fees — such as the $25 registered agent designation fee for an LLC or the $35 change-of-agent fee for a corporation — are paid directly to the Division of Corporations through the Sunbiz e-filing portal or by mail.
Is there a fee to file the consent of registered agent form?
Florida does not use a standalone consent form filed separately with the Division. Instead, each registered agent must file a written statement of acceptance simultaneously with being designated, as required by Fla. Stat. § 607.0501(3). This acceptance is incorporated into the formation document or the statement of change, not filed as a separate document. No additional fee is assessed for the acceptance beyond the applicable formation or change-of-agent filing fee listed on the corporate fee page.
Is there a fee for the registered agent to resign?
Yes. The resignation fee varies by entity type and status. For an active corporation, the fee is $87.50; for an inactive corporation, $35. For an active LLC, the fee is $85; for a dissolved LLC, $25. For a limited partnership, the fee is $87.50. Under Fla. Stat. § 607.0503, the resignation becomes effective on the 31st day after filing unless a successor agent is appointed sooner. These fees are confirmed on the LLC fee page and the LP fee page.
How does the cost compare for a nonprofit corporation versus a for-profit corporation?
Formation filing fees for nonprofit and for-profit corporations are identical in Florida; both pay $70 at formation. The primary cost difference appears in annual report fees and reinstatement costs.
| Transaction | For-Profit Corporation | Nonprofit Corporation |
| Articles of Incorporation (with RA fee) | $70 | $70 |
| Foreign Registration (with RA fee) | $70 | $70 |
| Change of Registered Agent | $35 | $35 |
| Resignation of RA (active) | $87.50 | $87.50 |
| Annual Report | $150 | $61.25 |
| Reinstatement | $600 + annual report arrears | $175 + annual report arrears |
Commercial registered agent service fees do not differ based on whether the entity is a for-profit or nonprofit corporation. These figures are published in the corporate fee section of the Division’s fee schedule.
Are there any hidden fees associated with registered agent services?
State filing fees are fixed, publicly available on the Division of Corporations fee schedule, and contain no hidden charges. On the commercial side, common pricing traps include promotional first-year rates that increase substantially at renewal, bundled formation packages that obscure the registered agent fee within a larger total, limited document scans per year with per-page charges for overages, and upsells for compliance monitoring or mail forwarding that more transparent providers include at the base price. Requesting a written breakdown of first-year and renewal pricing before purchasing eliminates most surprises.
Does the cost change if I move my business to a new address in Florida?
The cost impact depends on which address changes and whether the registered agent changes.
- Principal office address only: If only the entity’s principal office moves but the registered agent and registered office remain the same, no registered-agent-related filing is required. The new principal address is updated on the next annual report at no additional cost.
- Registered agent’s address changes: If the registered agent’s physical address changes, the entity must file a statement of change — $25 for an LLC, $35 for a corporation or LP — to update the registered office on file with the Division per the LP fee schedule.
- Replacing the registered agent entirely: Designating a new agent requires the same statement of change and the same fee as an address update, plus the successor agent’s written acceptance.
- Using a commercial service: If a commercial registered agent maintains the registered office, the entity’s own address changes do not affect the registered agent arrangement or its annual service fee.