How to Create a Florida Corporation
One person, or an unlimited number of shareholders, may create a Florida corporation. A corporation may be created in Florida with or without legal assistance. A Florida corporation has a separate legal existence from the shareholders. Furthermore, shareholders of a Florida corporation have limited liability protection against debts and other obligations that may arise from the operation of the business.
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Instructions
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Pick an available business name for the Florida corporation. The name must not be the same or similar to an existing business. Conduct a business name search using the Florida Department of State website. The name of a Florida corporation must include a corporate designator such as "corporation," "incorporated," "company," or the correct abbreviation. In addition, the name is prohibited from containing words that suggest a connection with a bank or government agency.
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Name individuals to serve on the Florida corporation's board of directors. A Florida corporation is allowed to operate with a one-person board, although that person must be at least 18. The state doesn't impose a residency requirement on directors. That means the director of a Florida corporation may reside in any state, unless the company's articles of incorporation indicate otherwise.
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Obtain articles of incorporation forms from the Florida Department of State website. Florida corporations may elect to fill out the articles of incorporation online. In other instances, a representative of the Florida corporation may download and print articles of incorporation from the website. Visit the Florida Department of State's office to obtain articles of incorporation in person. The address is: 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Call 850-245-6052 to have a Florida Department of State representative mail you a copy of the Florida articles of incorporation.
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Complete the Florida articles of incorporation. State the name and address of the Florida corporation. Include the number of shares the Florida corporation has the authority to issue to potential investors. List the names and addresses of the Florida corporation's initial shareholders. List the names and addresses of the entity or individuals responsible for filing the articles of incorporation. State the name and address of the Florida corporation's registered agent. Florida state law requires a registered agent to list a physical address where legal documents and other correspondence can be sent. A Florida corporation's registered agent must be a business registered in the state or a person who's at least 18.
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File the completed Florida articles of incorporation. A Florida corporation may file its articles of incorporation online using the Florida Department of State website. In other instances, completed articles of incorporation may be submitted by mail to the Florida Department of State. The mailing address is: Division of Corporations, Corporate Filings, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. A representative of the Florida corporation may hand deliver the company's articles of incorporation to the Florida Department of State's office. As of 2010, it costs $70 to file articles of incorporation.
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