Missouri Secretary of State business entity search

Missouri Secretary of State business search

The Corporations Unit handles the creation and upkeep of filings for all domestic and out-of-state business entities doing business in Missouri. Its Corporations page links to a Business Search, also worded there as "Search for a Business".

That register is where a Missouri LLC lookup starts, whether the question is a name you want or a company you have heard of. The same page links to the registration forms and the fee schedule.

What makes a Missouri name distinguishable

RSMo 347.020 asks that an LLC name be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State. The test runs against any corporation, LLC, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or limited liability limited partnership. That other entity can be licensed, organized, reserved or registered in Missouri.

Two exceptions exist. The other holder can consent in writing and change its own name, or a court decree can give the applicant the prior right. For corporations, RSMo 351.110 says that if a name is the same, a word must be added.

Words a Missouri LLC cannot use

An LLC name may not contain "corporation", "incorporated", "Ltd." or the words for a limited partnership, a limited liability partnership or a limited liability limited partnership. Abbreviations of them are barred too. It also cannot use a word or phrase that implies a purpose not stated in its articles, or that suggests a governmental agency.

The required endings are listed with the name endings each state accepts.

Reserving a Missouri name

The Secretary of State fee schedule lists Reservation of Name at $25 for all filers except limited liability partnerships. A reservation lasts up to 60 days and can be renewed for two additional 60-day periods, which makes 180 days in total.

After the full 180 days, the same applicant cannot reserve that name again. The hold is useful while articles are being prepared, but it has a fixed end.

Filing costs and the missing annual report

The Secretary of State's FAQ gives $50 for articles of organization filed online and $105 on paper. For a corporation, the minimum incorporation fee is $58, and it covers up to 30,000 authorized shares.

An LLC then pays no annual report to the Secretary of State. The LLC cost calculator shows what that leaves for a first year.

Fictitious names in Missouri

Missouri calls a DBA a fictitious name. It is filed with the Secretary of State, at the main office in Jefferson City or a Corporations Division branch office. The filing fee is $7.

A registration is good for five years. Renewal must be made in the six months before it expires. Registering gives no exclusive rights, since there may be an infinite number of businesses using the same name under the Fictitious Name Act. The fictitious business name guide covers what that means for a DBA.

Checking and claiming a name in Missouri

1. Run the name through the Secretary of State's Business Search.
2. Check it against the distinguishability test in RSMo 347.020 and the list of words an LLC cannot use.
3. Reserve it for $25 if you need up to 60 days.
4. File articles of organization online for $50 and give a registered office that is not a retail mailing store.