How to register a foreign LLC in Florida
A foreign LLC registers in Florida by filing the Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida (form CR2E027) with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. It includes a certificate of existence from its home jurisdiction dated no more than 90 days before delivery, and names a Florida registered agent who signs an acceptance.
Checked against the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations and the statute, November 2026.
- Application
- Form CR2E027
- Home-state certificate
- Required, no more than 90 days old
- Florida registered agent
- Required
- Filed with
- Division of Corporations
How it works in Florida
- From the home stateCertificate of existence, dated no more than 90 days before delivery
- In FloridaA Florida registered agent
- The filingForm CR2E027
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
When does a foreign LLC have to register in Florida?
A foreign LLC “may not transact business in this state until it obtains a certificate of authority” (Fla. Stat. § 605.0902(1)).
The application asks for the date the LLC first transacted business in Florida, if that was before registration, and points to sections 605.0904 and 605.0905 to determine penalty liability for that period.
Which form, and where is it filed?
Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida (form CR2E027). By mail or courier to the Registration Section.
The Division’s instructions send the application, a cover letter, the certificate of existence and payment to the Registration Section, Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314 — or by courier to The Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
The application must be completed in its entirety. It lists the principal office and mailing addresses, and the name, title and address of at least one person with authority to manage the LLC (§ 605.0902(1)(e)). The email address on the cover letter is where annual report reminders are sent.
Does Florida need a certificate of good standing?
Required. The LLC delivers a certificate of existence, or a record of similar import, signed by the official who keeps its public records in its home jurisdiction and dated not more than 90 days before the application is delivered (§ 605.0902(2)). A certificate in a foreign language needs a translation under oath.
Does a foreign LLC need a Florida registered agent?
Required. The application gives the name and Florida street address of the registered agent — a P.O. box is not acceptable — and the agent signs a written acceptance of the appointment on the form itself (§ 605.0902(1)(d)).
What if the LLC’s name is taken in Florida?
A Florida LLC name must contain “Limited Liability Company”, “L.L.C.” or “LLC” and be distinguishable on the Department’s records. If the LLC’s name is unavailable or does not comply, it adopts an alternate name for Florida, cross-referenced to its real name, and transacts business in Florida under it (§ 605.0906). Names can be checked on sunbiz.org; the Division no longer runs name searches or reservations itself.
Is it the same filing for a corporation?
No. Everything above is the rule for a foreign LLC. A foreign profit corporation files a separate Application by Foreign Corporation for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida (form CR2E007, § 607.1503), also with a certificate of existence no more than 90 days old.
What does Florida expect after the LLC qualifies?
Qualifying is the start, not the end: the LLC now owes Florida the same kind of upkeep as a local company.
Annual report
Every foreign LLC files an annual report each year to keep its status active, online between January 1 and May 1. A late fee applies after May 1, and the Division says there is no provision to waive it.
Amendments
A change to the LLC’s name, jurisdiction or registered agent is filed as an amended application (form CR2E055) with a certificate from the home jurisdiction evidencing the change, issued within the past 90 days (§ 605.0907).
What the annual report asks for, when it is due and who files it: Florida annual report. Every recurring Florida deadline, by entity type, is in the compliance calendar. LLCity files recurring state reports for you — see Run services.
What happens if a foreign LLC does business in Florida without registering?
A foreign LLC transacting business in Florida without a certificate of authority cannot maintain an action or proceeding in Florida until it has one, and a court can stay a case it brings in the meantime. Its contracts stay valid and it can defend itself; it appoints the Department of State as its agent for service of process on claims from that business; and it owes the state the fees and penalties it would have paid had it registered when first required (§ 605.0904).
Already doing business there? Tell us when the LLC started, and we will check what the Division of Corporations will ask for before anything is filed.
Questions about foreign qualification in Florida
What form registers a foreign LLC in Florida?
The Application by Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida (form CR2E027), filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
How recent must the certificate of existence be for Florida?
Dated not more than 90 days before the application is delivered to the Department of State (§ 605.0902(2)).
When is a Florida annual report due for a foreign LLC?
Every year between January 1 and May 1, filed online. A late fee applies after May 1.
What if my LLC’s name is taken in Florida?
It adopts an alternate name that complies with Florida law and transacts business in Florida under that name (§ 605.0906).
Which Florida laws and pages is this based on?
Florida Statutes, chapter 605, sections 605.0902–605.0907
Sources, checked November 2026:
- Florida Division of Corporations— Form CR2E027 and instructions, foreign LLC
- Florida Division of Corporations— Form CR2E055, amended application, foreign LLC
- Florida Division of Corporations— Form CR2E007, foreign profit corporation
- Florida Legislature— Fla. Stat. § 605.0902 (application; certificate within 90 days)
- Florida Legislature— Fla. Stat. § 605.0904 (no certificate of authority)
- Florida Legislature— Fla. Stat. § 605.0906 (alternate name)
Checked against the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations and the statutes above · Last reviewed November 2026. No fees are shown: state fees are confirmed with you before anything is filed. Not legal advice: the filing office has the final word on your entity.
Florida
Expanding into Florida?
Tell us the entity, its home state and when it starts doing business in Florida. We order the certificate, appoint the registered agent and file the Form CR2E027 — for one entity or a whole portfolio. Most quotes are same-day; call 212-202-5750.