How to Form a C Corporation in Florida

Introduction

If you’re thinking about forming a corporation in Florida, you’ve likely done some research on how to do it. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a C Corporation using examples from our own personal experience. We’ll show you which steps are necessary to take, what paperwork needs to be filed, and how long it will take before your business is ready to go!

Choose a unique name for your corporation.

Choose a unique name for your corporation. The name must be distinguishable from similar names, and cannot be the same or too similar to another person’s registered mark. In addition to being unique, you should also check the availability of your preferred business name in Florida by using the free search on this page. If the name is already taken by another company, you will have to find another choice for yours.

There are some restrictions on what kind of words can appear in a corporation’s name:

• The word “corporation” cannot be used unless it appears with other words that make clear what type of entity owns them (e.g., ABC Corporation or ABC Professional Corporation).
• You may not use any word that suggests an association with government agencies (e.g., county governments).
• You cannot use any offensive term or phrase as part of your business title if doing so could bring harm or embarrassment to yourself and/or others who work there regularly (such as their families).

Appoint directors of the corporation.

The board of directors is the governing body of your C corporation. Directors are responsible for making important decisions on behalf of the company, such as approving budgets and hiring key executives.

The minimum number of directors required by law is three, which can be increased up to a maximum of 15. To appoint new directors, you must submit an amendment proposal to the State Division of Corporations with proper authorization forms signed by at least two existing shareholders (or members). Please visit our website for more details about how to form a corporation in Florida and other topics related to starting your own business here!

Secure a registered agent.

• What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business that you designate to receive legal documents from the state and federal governments on behalf of your company.
• Why do I need to secure one? In Florida, all corporations are required to have a registered agent for service of process—that is, to be able to be served with court notices or other legal documents (like lawsuits) in case someone files against your corporation. If this happens, the person who filed against you can request that their papers be sent to the registered agent instead of directly to you—and if you didn’t have one when they did so, then those papers may not ever reach you!
• How do I find one? Most states allow businesses (or even individuals) who live in their state but aren’t based there themselves as a resident agent—meaning they can act as both yours and your company’s representative when needed. However, if none exist within driving distance from where it sits physically located then find another local address–one which has good logistics surrounding accessibility by mail carriers too (if possible).

File paperwork with the state.

The next step is to file paperwork with the state. This is done by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Florida Department of State, an assumed name certificate with the Florida Department of State and an annual report. You can find all three forms on their website at [https://www.sunbiz.org](https://www.sunbiz.org).

Draft corporate bylaws.

• What are bylaws? Bylaws are the rules that govern how your corporation operates. They include things like: how often board meetings will be held, who can vote on them and what types of votes are allowed; what happens if a director wants to resign or be removed; and even where meetings will take place (e.g., at a specific location). If you’re not sure whether or not you need to have corporate bylaws, it’s always best to make sure beforehand so there aren’t any surprises down the line.
• Why do I need corporate bylaws? The Florida Department of State requires all Florida corporations with more than one director (which includes sole proprietorships) to file corporate bylaws with their certificate of incorporation within 90 days after being registered as an active business entity in order for those documents to be legally binding

Issue shares of stock to investors and decide on their value.

Once you are ready to issue shares, you will need to determine how many shares of stock you want to sell. For example, if you wanted your company’s founder to hold 50% of the outstanding stock, only a half-million dollars would be required for this purpose.

Depending on the value of each share that is issued and whether it is preferred or common stock, the dollar amount can fluctuate greatly based on these facts alone. In addition to these considerations, though not as important in terms of determining how much money needs to be raised during incorporation proceedings:

• How many investors would like ownership in your company?
• Will they receive preferred or common shares?

Forming a C Corporation in Florida takes some work and planning, but it’s not particularly difficult in the end.

Incorporating in Florida is a fairly straightforward process, and it’s pretty much the same regardless of whether your business is only going to be selling products or providing services. If you’re not sure what type of entity best suits your business, check out this article by Inc Magazine on how to choose between an LLC and S Corporation. Once you’ve chosen a structure, it’s time to move forward with forming your corporation in Florida!

There are two ways to form a corporation: entity formation (where we use an existing business name) or company formation (where we create our own unique name). If you already have a company name that fits with what you’re doing and has all the necessary elements for being registered as a C Corporation (such as having “Inc.”, “LTD”, or “LLC” at the end), then we’ll use that when registering as well! Otherwise, we can discuss which type of entity works best for your needs before moving forward with forming one – just let us know what questions are burning holes through your bank account today 🙂

Conclusion

The process of forming a C Corporation in Florida is not difficult, but it does require some work and planning. You’ll need to choose a name for your corporation, appoint directors, and secure a registered agent. From there, you’ll need to file paperwork with the state as well as draft bylaws for your business. Finally, you’ll issue shares of stock to investors who want to own shares in your company.