sunbiz.com
What Sunbiz.com Is — The Florida Business Hub
Sunbiz.com (actually the official site runs under dos.fl.gov/sunbiz or sunbiz.org) is the State of Florida’s official business registration and records portal. It’s where every business that legally operates in Florida must register, file reports, update details, and make certain filings. It’s managed by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
This site isn’t a private commercial service or a general directory. It is the government’s business system — the digital infrastructure that creates, stores, and makes publicly available legal business records for the state.
If you’re starting a business, checking the status of a company, updating records, or filing compliance reports in Florida, Sunbiz is the place you go first.
What You Can Do on Sunbiz
Register a New Business
The core purpose of Sunbiz is to allow entrepreneurs to form business entities under Florida law — limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations (profit and nonprofit), partnerships and more. You can fill out and submit the required forms online and pay the fees electronically.
That starts with:
- Choosing a business structure (LLC, corporation, etc.)
- Confirming the name is available
- Submitting formation documents
- Appointing a registered agent who has a Florida physical address
- Paying the state filing fees
Once processed, your business exists legally in Florida.
Search and Lookup Business Records
Sunbiz has a powerful business entity search tool. You can type in a company name, registered agent, document number or even a trademark name to find detailed business records. Those records show things like:
- Entity status (active, inactive, dissolved, etc.)
- Filing history and annual reports
- Registered agent information
- Officers, directors, or managers on record
- Document numbers and dates of filing
This is essential for due diligence, verification, risk assessment, or competitor research.
File Compliance Documents
Once your business is registered, you have ongoing obligations. Businesses in Florida must file annual reports to stay in good standing with the state. Sunbiz lets you file those reports online, pay the required fees, and download confirmations.
Other filings you can do through the portal include:
- Certificates of Status (for banks or contracts)
- Reinstatements if your business fell out of compliance
- Amendments to update your business details
- Registered agent changes
These filings help the state maintain accurate records and keep your business legal.
Public Access to Business Information
Sunbiz doesn’t just serve business owners. Because Florida law makes business registration records public, anyone can look up a company’s information on the site. That’s useful if you need to:
- Verify a company’s legitimacy
- Research ownership or management
- Check annual report history
- Pull documents like filed Articles of Organization
This openness promotes transparency and helps buyers, investors, and partners make informed decisions.
How the Search and Filing Tools Work
Business Entity Search
The search function lets you explore Florida’s official business database. You can search by:
- Company name
- Registered agent
- Officer or director name
- Trademark
- Document number
- FEI/EIN
- Address or ZIP code
When you find a match, you get a detailed view of the entity and documents on file.
This is especially important when choosing a business name. You must confirm the name you want isn’t already in use by an active Florida business, or your filing could be rejected.
Filing Services
Sunbiz uses online forms for filings like:
- Articles of Organization for LLCs
- Articles of Incorporation for corporations
- Fictitious name registrations (DBAs)
- Annual reports
- Certificates of Status
Electronic filings get processed faster and give you confirmations by email. You can also mail forms if needed, but the interactive online process is the primary method.
Why Sunbiz Matters
Sunbiz is not optional if you want to operate a business in Florida. Until your business is filed with the Division of Corporations and accepted through Sunbiz, it doesn’t legally exist in the state.
Filing through Sunbiz provides:
- Legal recognition of your business
- Protection of your business name within Florida
- Compliance with state reporting requirements
- Publicly accessible records that banks, customers, and partners can use to verify your company
Missing required filings — like annual reports — can result in your business being marked inactive or even administratively dissolved.
Common Uses of Sunbiz
Here are some typical scenarios where people use Sunbiz:
- Starting a business: Forming an LLC or corporation
- Confirming a business name before filing
- Filing annual reports on time
- Updating agent or ownership information
- Getting official documents like a Certificate of Status
- Researching existing businesses for due diligence
Key Takeaways
- Sunbiz is Florida’s official business portal managed by the Department of State Division of Corporations.
- You use it to register and manage business entities in Florida.
- The search tool allows public access to business records.
- Ongoing compliance filings, like annual reports, are done through the site.
- Accurate filings help your business maintain active status and legal protections.
FAQ
Is Sunbiz.com a private business service?
No. It’s the official website and portal for the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations — a governmental function.
Can anyone search for businesses on Sunbiz?
Yes. Business records in Florida are public, and the Sunbiz search tools let anyone look up entity details.
Do I have to file annual reports?
Yes. Florida requires annual reports for most business entities to maintain active status.
What happens if I miss a filing deadline?
Your business could incur penalties or be administratively dissolved, requiring reinstatement.
Can I update my business information on Sunbiz?
Yes. You can file amendments like registered agent changes or address updates anytime through the portal.
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