Missouri forms an LLC with one document, the articles of organization, filed with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State in Jefferson City. Nothing else is filed to create the company. That includes the operating agreement, which the state will not accept.
This page describes the filing. It is a guide and not advice on how to structure your company. For the rest of the office, including search and contacts, see the Missouri office guide. Our articles of organization guide compares the filing across states.
Where do you file Missouri articles of organization?
You file with the Corporations Division. The Secretary of State says an LLC may be registered electronically by filing its articles online. The online system is the Online Business Services portal, and every online filer needs an email address, since the card processor requires one. Online payment is by credit card.
| LLC form | Articles of Organization, filed with the Corporations Division (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Corporation form | Articles of Incorporation, with a fee based on authorized shares (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| State filing fee for an LLC | $50 (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| State filing fee for a corporation | $58 (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Filing online | LLC articles can be filed online or on paper (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | An optional preclearance review of a document costs $55 (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | The articles are the only creation document filed. The state does not accept an operating agreement for filing, and LLCs file no annual report. (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Where to file online | bsd.sos.mo.gov (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
If you prefer paper, mail or deliver the articles with the fee. The state's paper form is the one the Secretary of State publishes for LLCs.
How much does the filing cost?
Online, the fee is $50. On paper, it is $105. The state spells out the saving in its FAQ: filing articles of organization online saves $55. The online fee is also what the fee schedule lists for a domestic LLC filed that way.
A corporation pays on a different scale. Articles of incorporation for a general business corporation are priced from authorized shares. The fee is $50 for the first $30,000 and $5 for each added $10,000. A $3 fee for the certificate and a $5 Technology Trust Fund fee come on top.
If you want the Secretary of State to look at a draft first, it offers a preclearance examination for $55. It is optional.
What goes into the articles
The filing is short. It names the company and a registered agent with a registered office at a Missouri street address. It states whether the LLC is manager managed or member managed. It also lists each organizer by name and address.
Two choices cause questions. The purpose can be specific or can simply say the company will transact any lawful business an LLC may carry on in Missouri. The duration can be perpetual, or you can limit it to a date or an event.
Naming rules and reservations
An LLC name has to be distinguishable from every other entity registered in Missouri. The LLC ending can be Limited Liability Company, Limited Company, LC, L.C., L.L.C. or LLC.
Phone name checks are only preliminary. If you need certainty, reserve the name in writing. The reservation lasts 60 days, can be renewed twice and costs $25.
| Corporation name must include | corporation, company, incorporated, limited (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| How different a name must be | "must be distinguishable upon the records of the secretary" from any corporation, LLC, LP, LLP or LLLP licensed, organized, reserved or registered in Missouri, domestic or foreign. Exceptions: written consent of the holder with a name change filing, or a court decree of prior right. RSMo 347.020 (LLC). SOS page: new name "must be distinguishable from the name of any other foreign or domestic business entity registered under any law of this state". Corporations: RSMo 351.110. (revisor.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Reservation fee | $25 (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
| Reservation lasts | 60 days, renewable twice for 60 days each (180 days max). After expiry the applicant cannot re-reserve the same name. (sos.mo.gov, checked ) |
After the articles are filed
Missouri does not ask an LLC for an annual report. The state does treat the registered agent seriously, though, because losing one is a reason the office may act against a corporation and other entities. Keep the agent's address current.
Your operating agreement stays with you. You also apply to the IRS for an EIN and to the Missouri Department of Revenue for a state tax number. Those are separate from the Secretary of State.
If you want help with the filing, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can file at the state yourself.
Sources
- www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startbusiness: corporation name endings. Checked .
- revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=347.020: name rule. Checked .
- www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/fees.pdf: name reservation fee, LLC filing fee, corporation filing fee. Checked .
- www.sos.mo.gov/business/faqs.asp: name reservation term. Checked .
- www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/generalinfo: online filing. Checked .
- www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startbusiness: llc form, corporation form, filing online, processing time. Checked .
- www.sos.mo.gov/business/faqs: worth knowing. Checked .