When a Florida LLC is formed, the Articles of Organization must contain the name and signature of either a manager or a managing member. The information supplied in the Articles of Organization is public record and available over the internet. Some companies use a Delaware LLC to serve as manager of the Florida LLC to avoid listing an individual manager’s name. The Delaware LLC does not require listing a manager or member.

Additionally, the names and addresses of managers are required to be filed in the annual report a Florida LLC is required to file with the Secretary of State. The information in this annual report is public record.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Want My Name on a Florida LLC’s Public Record?

If you do not want your name on a Florida LLC’s public record, you may have options to improve your privacy when forming your business. Florida LLC records are public filings, meaning certain information submitted to the Florida Division of Corporations may be visible online.

One way to protect your privacy is to use a registered agent service. A registered agent’s information is listed for legal notices and can help keep your personal address off the LLC’s public record.

You may also consider your LLC’s management structure before filing. While a Florida LLC cannot provide complete anonymity, establishing a Delaware LLC as the Member and Manager of the Florida LLC and having another authorized person sign the Florida Articles of Organization on behalf of the Delaware LLC will keep your name off the filing and can help protect your personal information while keeping your business compliant.

Are All LLC Owners’ Names On Public Record?

No, not all LLC owners’ names are on public record. Whether LLC ownership information is publicly available depends on the state where the LLC is formed and its disclosure requirements.
In Florida, LLC filings must include the names of managers or managing members. While managers are not owners, a managing member is an owner.

Delaware LLCs offer more privacy. A Delaware LLC’s public formation documents do not require the names of managers or owners to be listed. Instead, the Certificate of Formation typically includes basic information such as the LLC name and registered agent.

While Delaware LLC privacy can help keep ownership details out of public filings, it does not mean complete anonymity. Banks, tax authorities, and other government agencies may still require ownership information when necessary.

Choosing the best state and LLC structure can help business owners obtain privacy and asset protection.

What LLC Information Is Public Record in Florida?

Florida LLC records are generally available to the public through the Florida Division of Corporations website. Anyone can search Florida business records by LLC name, document number, registered agent, and other information.

Florida LLC public records includes:

• The LLC’s legal name
• Principal and mailing addresses
• The registered agent’s name and address
• Names and addresses of managers or managing members
• Information included in amendments and annual reports

Florida LLCs are not required to list their members (owners) in the Articles of Organization. However, information about a managing member or manager is public and required to be included in the Articles of Organization filed with the Florida Division of Corporations.

Because information submitted to the state generally becomes part of the public record, LLC owners should consider what personal information they provide in their filings. Florida LLCs are not considered anonymous or private, unlike Delaware where very little LLC information is on the public record.

How to Protect Privacy When Forming an LLC

If privacy is a concern, it is important to understand what information about an LLC is public in Florida before filing formation documents or making changes to the company’s state records. Sometimes people file a Florida LLC with a parent Delaware LLC as Member and Manager of the Florida LLC to add to the privacy and protection.