Steps to Incorporate in Florida
A business can incorporate in the state of Florida by completing and submitting the proper formation documents to the state. Once the company's incorporation documents have been approved, the Florida corporation will be considered a distinct legal entity that has a separate existence from the company's shareholders. A company in Florida may incorporate with a single business owner, or an unlimited number of shareholders. Legal assistance is not required to incorporate a business in the state of Florida.
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Instructions
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Check name availability online using the Florida Department of State website. This will ensure that the Florida corporation has a name that is unused by any other entity that is registered with the Florida Department of State. Include words in the Florida corporation's business name such as "corporation," "company," "incorporated," or the appropriate abbreviation. Avoid using language in the name of the Florida corporation that implies an affiliation with a bank or government agency.
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Recruit individuals to serve on the Florida corporation's board of directors. Florida state law requires directors of a Florida corporation to have reached at least 18 years of age. Board members of a Florida corporation are not required to reside in the state of Florida. At least one person must be named to serve on a Florida corporation's board of directors.
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Visit the Florida Department of State website to complete articles of incorporation online. Click the link the E-filing Services tab on the Florida department of state division of corporations website. Click on the link that says "File New Florida Profit Corporation." Accept the terms of the disclaimer statement to begin the process of filing articles of incorporation online. If online filing is not feasible, print articles of incorporation using the Florida Department of State website or call 850-245-6052 to have articles of incorporation sent by mail.
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Complete the Florida profit articles of incorporation. Indicate the legal name and principal address of the Florida corporation. Provide the name and address of each person or business that is responsible for organizing and filing the Florida corporation's documents with the state. Describe the nature of the Florida corporation's business activities. Supply the name and address of a person or business that will act as the Florida corporation's registered agent. The registered agent must sign the Florida articles of incorporation, which indicates the registered agent agrees to accept the Florida corporation's legal and tax documents. State the number of shares the Florida corporation will be authorized to issue to initial investors.
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Submit the articles of incorporation. As of 2010, it costs a Florida profit corporation $70 to file articles of incorporation with the Florida Department of State. Pay by credit or debit card when filing articles of incorporation online. Mail articles of incorporation to the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations, Corporate filings, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314. Hand deliver articles of incorporation to the Clifton Building, 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
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Draft bylaws to provide procedures for running the Florida corporation. Include provisions such as the date and time of shareholder and director meetings, as well as the duties of the Florida corporation's officers. Tailor the Florida corporation's bylaws to meet the specific needs of the company, since the state of Florida does not offer specific guidelines for the creation of corporate bylaws. Keep the Florida corporation's bylaws at the company's primary place of business.
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