Delaware vs Florida: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)
Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Delaware and Florida — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.
LLC Formation Costs: Delaware vs Florida
| Metric | Delaware | Florida | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $90 | $125 | ✓ Delaware |
| Annual Report | $300 | $138 | ✓ Florida |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $90 | $125 | ✓ Delaware |
Filing Fee
✓ Delaware is cheaper here
Annual Report
✓ Florida is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
✓ Delaware is cheaper here
Delaware: Delaware's $300 annual franchise fee makes ongoing costs high for small businesses that don't benefit from its court system.
Florida: Annual report must be filed between January 1 and May 1 each year or a $400 late fee applies.
Delaware: Most investor-friendly state — preferred if you plan to raise venture capital or have multiple members.
Florida: No state income tax — major advantage for profitable LLCs.
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Start My LLC Today →Small Claims Court: Delaware vs Florida
| Metric | Delaware | Florida | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $25,000 | $8,000 | ✓ Delaware |
| Min Filing Fee | $35 | $55 | ✓ Delaware |
| Contract SOL | 3 yrs | 5 yrs | ✓ Florida |
Max Claim Limit
✓ Delaware is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
✓ Delaware is cheaper here
Contract SOL
✓ Florida is cheaper here
Divorce Filing Costs: Delaware vs Florida
| Metric | Delaware | Florida | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $165 | $400 | ✓ Delaware |
| Sheriff Service | $60 | $40 | ✓ Florida |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Filing Fee
✓ Delaware is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
✓ Florida is cheaper here
Children Surcharge
It's a tie
Notary Fees: Delaware vs Florida
| Metric | Delaware | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 | $10 |
| Jurat | $5 | $10 |
| RON Fee | $25 | $25 |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee