OPPAGA Government Program Summary

What is the purpose of the division?

The Division of Corporations serves as the State's central location for filing business entities, trade and service marks, fictitious name registrations, judgment and federal tax liens, UCC financing statements, and notary commissions and apostilles. The division maintains Sunbiz, a business entity index providing commercial information and related documentation available for direct public access.

What information is available from the division?

The Division of Corporations collects, maintains, and makes available to the public all information related to business entities and certain information related to sole proprietorships operating in Florida and certain financial transactions that take place in the state. This information includes

filings of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships;
declarations of trust;
certain specified cooperative associations;
notary commissions;
cable franchises;
trademarks and service marks;
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements;
federal liens, judgment liens; and
fictitious name registrations.

All business entity documents and commercial registrations received and filed by the division are public records. The division makes this information available to the public via the website, mail, and walk-in requests. As a ministerial filing agency, the division is not authorized by law to verify the accuracy of information submitted by business entities and individuals. The division staff must generally accept and process the documents that meet statutory requirements and are accompanied by the proper fee. The division also is responsible for the certification and authentication of these records domestically and internationally.

How is the division organized?

There currently are two bureaus within the Division of Corporations: Commercial Recordings and Commercial Information Services. The bureaus provide filing and informational services, including formalizing the legal standing of a business or activity by accepting and indexing the filing or registration.

How many business entity filings does the division receive each year?

In calendar year 2022, the division received 669,679 business entity filings.

Business Entity Filings for Calendar Year 2022
Entity Type	Documents Filed
Domestic Profit	93,537
Domestic Non-Profit	14,247
Foreign Profit & Non-Profit	7,809
Domestic Limited Partnerships	724
Foreign Limited Partnerships	592
Domestic Limited Liability Co.	533,137
Foreign Limited Liability Co.	19,115
General Partnerships	280
Limited Liability Partnerships	155
Declarations of Trust	83
Total	669,679

Source: Division of Corporations, Yearly Statistics.

How are these activities funded?

Funds collected by the division come from fees for filings, registrations, certifications/authentications, substitute service of process, and document copy services provided by the division. All funds collected by the division are deposited in the General Revenue Fund.

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

Title	Fund	Dollars	Positions
PROGRAM: CORPORATIONS
	COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS AND REGISTRATIONS	12,009,391	102.00
TOTAL		12,009,391	102.00

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Electronically Filed Records. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-53, Laws of Florida, which authorizes the Department of State to implement a password protected system for the electronic filing of any records that are required or authorized to be filed with it. If the password protected system is implemented, the law requires the Department of State to send each e-mail address on file with the Division of Corporations a code to participate in the system.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Websites of Interest
Division of Corporations, Sunbiz
Division of Corporations, Filing Fee Schedules
Division of Corporations, Yearly Statistics

Performance Measures

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapters 15, 48, 55, 83, 110, 113, 117, 118, 119, 425, 495, 540, 605, 606, 607, 609, 610, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 671, 679, 713, and 865, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Division of Corporations, 850-245-6000, email: CorpHelp@dos.myflorida.com
Website