A certificate of registration Florida, also known as a COS or certificate of status, is issued by the state to confirm that your business has been properly registered. This can be important if you’re starting a new business in Florida or if you need to verify that your Florida-registered company is valid.
Business entity types
There are four major types of business entities that most businesses operate under in Florida: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs). Each has its own set of benefits and obligations to the owners.
The type of entity you choose will impact how much tax you pay, how much liability protection you get, and the paperwork you must follow. Deciding what structure to use for your small business is a big decision that should be made with the help of an attorney and a tax consultant.
There are many factors to consider when determining which business entity is best for you, including your personal risk tolerance, the number of owners, and the size of your company. The right entity type can protect your personal assets, reduce your tax bill, and make it easier to secure small business loans and investors.
Filing fees
If your business is a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or partnership, you’ll need to register your Florida entity and file the proper paperwork. In addition, your Florida company will probably need to pay state and federal taxes.
Keeping your business in compliance requires a significant investment on your part. Depending on the type of business you have, you might need to pay one-time registration fees or ongoing or ad hoc license and permit fees.
To obtain a certificate of registration, you’ll need to pay the proper fee and submit an application to the Secretary of State. This can be done online, by mail or in person.
A certificate of status is necessary when you need to make certain transactions, like opening a business bank account, applying for credit or conducting business as a foreign LLC. It also helps you determine whether your business is operating as a valid entity.
Registration requirements
If you want to do business in Florida, you’ll need a certificate of registration (or status). It’s sometimes called a certificate of good standing or a certificate of legal existence. It’s used to verify the status of a business entity and to make sure it has the required tax ID number and other paperwork.
You can order a certificate of registration online, by mail or in person. It can take a week to process a mail request, but requests made online or in person typically are processed the same day.
You may also need a certificate of registration if you are registering your company as a foreign entity in Florida. This is a common procedure for businesses that have been formed in other states but want to do business in Florida.
Renewal requirements
If you are a registered educator in Florida, your Professional Certificate must be renewed each year prior to the expiration of your certificate. You must complete renewal requirements and submit them to the employing school district or the Bureau of Educator Certification.
For certificate renewal purposes, six (6) semester hours of college credit to include at least one (1) semester hour in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) must be earned during each renewal period. This will retain all subjects on your certificate for the next validity period.
A grade of at least a “C” must be earned in each college course used for renewal. If a subject is deleted from your certificate due to in-completion of renewal requirements, you must complete all required renewal subject matter in the same or a different college course and earn a grade of “C” or higher for each subject.
Your license will be placed in a delinquent status if you fail to renew your registration before the expiration date. A delinquency fee will be assessed in addition to your renewal fees.