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Register a business in Missouri
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Missouri. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Missouri entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Corporations Division, which files online through the Business Services Division portal. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Missouri LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization (Certificate of LLC under Chapter 347) with the Secretary of State, on paper or online. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Paying online by card or eCheck adds a convenience fee that the state does not keep. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Certificate of LLC, filed on paper: $105 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Certificate of LLC, filed online: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Missouri general business corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation of a For Profit Corporation (Corp. 41) under Chapter 351. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- The incorporation fee depends on authorized capital. The amount below is the lowest tier and includes a technology fund charge and a certificate fee. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, lowest tier of authorized capital: $58 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Missouri corporations doing business in the state file a registration report, due at the end of the month the corporation was formed. The fee schedule also lists a biennial option. Failure to file leads to administrative dissolution. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Missouri LLCs do not have to file a report with the Secretary of State. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation registration report, filed on paper, if timely: $45 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation registration report, filed online, if timely: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Late fee for each 30-day period, added: $15 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Missouri fictitious names are registered with the Secretary of State under RSMo 417.200, for a five-year term that can be renewed in the six months before it expires. Registration gives no exclusive rights to the name. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
- Fictitious name registration: $7 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
State tax registration
- The Missouri Department of Revenue registers new businesses online for sales, use, withholding, unemployment and corporate income tax. Allow two to three business days for processing. Missouri Department of Revenue, as of
Statewide business licence
- The Secretary of State does not issue business licences. Many cities and counties require one, issued by the local government. Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- DHSS’s Commercial Lodging Program licenses hotels, motels and resorts every year, working with local health agencies, and its rule covers their swimming pools and spas. The page does not state a statewide pool-operator or pool-service licence. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Corporations - Missouri Secretary of State Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Articles of Organization, Missouri LLC (llc1.pdf) Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Schedule of Fees and Charges Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Corporations forms Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Other Filings Required of General Business Corporations Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Frequently Asked Questions Corporations Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Fictitious Name Registration FAQ Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. As of .
- Register a Business Location Missouri Department of Revenue. As of .
- Commercial Lodging Program Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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