The official search
Florida does not have a standalone Secretary of State for business filings. The registry is run by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, and its online system is called Sunbiz.
- Search page: https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName
- Cost: Free
- Login: None required
The same site also lets you search by officer or registered agent name, trademark name, FEI/EIN number, document number, ZIP code, and street address. A company record shows the document number, status, filing dates, registered agent, officers or managers, and the last three annual reports, with filed documents viewable as PDFs.
Step by step
- Go to the Sunbiz name search (link above) and choose the search by entity name.
- Type your proposed name. You do not need the full legal name. Partial names work — the Division's own guide gives the example of shortening "Little Red Schoolhouse" to "Little Red Sch." Leave off "LLC" at first so you catch matches filed under other entity types.
- Read the results carefully. Results are sorted alphabetically with the closest matches first. Use the "Previous List" and "Next List" links to page through them — there are no numbered pages, and a short name stem can bury a conflict under pages of similar names.
- Open any close match. Check its status and entity type. An active corporation, partnership, or other filing with the same name can block you, not just another LLC.
- Search spelling variations. Try singular and plural forms, spacing changes, and "&" instead of "and." Florida law says none of those differences make a name distinguishable, so treat all of them as conflicts.
- If nothing close appears, your name is likely available — but the final call is made by the Division when you file, not by the search.
One tip if you ever search for a person instead of a business: individuals must be entered as Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial. Searching in normal name order returns nothing.
Florida's name rules
The rules are in Florida Statute §605.0112.
Designator. Your name must contain "limited liability company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC."
Distinguishable. Your name must be distinguishable in the Department's records from the names of other entities and filings on file, with only a few exceptions (fictitious name registrations, general partnership registrations, and limited liability partnership statements). In plain English: Florida compares your name against almost the entire registry, not just other LLCs.
Differences that do not count. Changing only one of these will not make a taken name yours:
- The suffix or entity designator
- An article like "the" or "a"
- "And" versus "&"
- Singular, plural, or possessive forms of a word
- Punctuation marks or symbols
Consent. If your name is similar to an existing one, you may use it with that entity's written consent filed with the Department. Consent can never cure an identical name — identical is always off limits.
Prohibited content. The name cannot state or imply that the LLC is organized for a purpose the law does not allow, and it cannot imply a connection with a state or federal government agency.
Reserving a name. If you are not ready to file, the Division's fee schedule lists a name reservation fee of $25.
What the search can't tell you
- Federal trademarks. Sunbiz includes Florida-registered trademarks, but it does not check the federal USPTO trademark database. A name can be clear in Florida and still infringe someone's federal trademark.
- Fictitious names (DBAs). Fictitious name registrations are one of the categories Florida's distinguishability check does not cover, so a DBA using your name may exist without showing up as a conflict.
- Domain names and social handles. The state does not check .com availability or social media usernames. Check those separately before you print anything.
- Other states. Sunbiz only covers Florida records. If you plan to operate elsewhere, check each state's registry too.
- Final approval. A clean search is a good sign, not a guarantee. The Division makes the final distinguishability decision when your Articles of Organization are reviewed.
If the name looks available
File the Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations through Sunbiz, online or by mail.
- Cost: $125 total — a $100 filing fee plus a required $25 registered agent designation fee.
- Processing: The Division does not publish a fixed turnaround. Online filings are reported to typically take about 2–5 business days, and Florida offers no expedited option, so do not plan around a rush filing.
Then mark your calendar for the annual report. This is where Florida gets people:
- Every LLC files an annual report each year after its formation year, between January 1 and May 1.
- Fee: $138.75.
- Late fee: $400. A report filed after May 1 costs $538.75 total, and the $400 late fee cannot be waived.
- If you still have not filed by late September, the state administratively dissolves the LLC. Reinstatement costs $100 plus the annual report fee for every missed year.
FAQ
Is the Florida LLC name search free? Yes. The Sunbiz search at search.sunbiz.org is free and does not require an account or login.
Can my Florida LLC have the same name as a Florida corporation? No. Florida compares your name against nearly all filings on record, including corporations — not just other LLCs. Only a few categories, such as fictitious name registrations, are excluded from the comparison.
Will adding "LLC" or changing punctuation make a taken name available? No. Under §605.0112, differences in suffix, articles, "and" versus "&," singular/plural/possessive forms, and punctuation or symbols do not make a name distinguishable.
How much does it cost to form a Florida LLC? $125 paid to the Division of Corporations: $100 for the Articles of Organization plus a $25 registered agent designation fee.
What happens if I miss the Florida annual report deadline? A flat $400 late fee applies on top of the $138.75 report fee, and it cannot be waived. If the report is still unfiled by late September, the LLC is administratively dissolved.
Sources
- Florida Division of Corporations — Sunbiz search: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/
- Sunbiz name search: https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName
- Corporation Records Search Guide: http://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search/guides/corporation-records/
- LLC fees (official fee schedule): https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/forms/fees/llc-fees/
- File an Annual Report: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/manage-business/efile/annual-report/
- Fla. Stat. §605.0112: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/605.0112