Missouri business entity search and name check

Missouri is one of the few states where an LLC files no annual report at all, and forming one online costs $50 against $105 on paper. The registry is kept by the Secretary of State's Corporations Division and searched through Missouri Business Filings. That site puts automated visitors through a bot-protection check, so we link you to it rather than searching it here.

Registry: Missouri Secretary of State, Business Services - Corporations Division
Official search: Missouri Business Filings (Business Entity Search)
How we search Missouri: Official site only (we hand you off). Missouri's business search site runs a bot-protection check that blocks automated requests, and we don't try to get around it, so we link you to the official search.
What a result can tell you: Searching the official site shows names on record. Missouri decides acceptance when you file.
State fee to form an LLC: $50 (Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1))
Ongoing LLC filing: No annual report required for LLCs

What the Missouri search covers

The Business Entity Search covers businesses registered with the Missouri Secretary of State. Fictitious names (DBAs) are registered with the Secretary of State as well.

Each record has a Charter Number. Search by number on the Missouri Business Filings (Business Entity Search).

How to read Missouri results

Missouri uses its own status labels. We always show the official wording; here is what the common ones mean according to the state:

Status	What it means
Administratively Dissolved	The Secretary of State can dissolve a corporation that doesn't file its annual report on time, doesn't keep a registered agent, reaches the end of its stated duration, or in several other situations. After that it may only wind up its affairs. Source: sos.mo.gov

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

Missouri business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited company, LLC, LC, L.L.C., L.C..

An LLC name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from any corporation, LLC, limited partnership, LLP or LLLP formed, reserved or registered in Missouri. (RSMo 347.020) Source: revisor.mo.gov

Missouri doesn’t publish a list of the differences it ignores, so our check treats only capitalization and punctuation as insignificant and flags other close names as similar for you to judge.

Words that need approval or are restricted

Words	Requirement
corporation, incorporated, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership, Ltd.	Not allowed in an LLC name. An LLC name also can't suggest it is a government agency or that it has a purpose not stated in its articles. Source: revisor.mo.gov

Using a similar name with consent

Only if the business that holds the name consents in writing and files to change its own name to one that is distinguishable (RSMo 347.020(3)(a)).

Reserving a name in Missouri

Missouri lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $25, held for 60 days. It can be renewed twice, for two more 60-day periods (180 days in all). After that, the same applicant can never reserve that name again.

File a written name reservation application with the Secretary of State.

Missouri name reservation Source: sos.mo.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Missouri SOS can.

Forming an LLC in Missouri

Document: Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)
State filing fee: $50
$50 online or $105 on paper. State law sets $45 online and $100 on paper, and the Secretary of State adds a $5 Technology Trust Fund fee. Fees are waived for Missouri residents serving in the National Guard or on active military duty.
File online: Missouri SOS filing
Processing: You can pay $55 to have any document pre-examined before you file it.
Registered agent: A Missouri LLC needs a registered agent with a street address in Missouri. A P.O. box can be listed only in addition to the street address.
Out-of-state LLC registering here: $105 (Application for Registration of a Foreign LLC)

Fees change. Confirm them on the official Missouri fee schedule before you file.

File it yourself or use a service

File directly with Missouri

$50 state fee

You fill in the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) yourself and pay only the state. You’ll need a registered agent with a Missouri street address; that can be you if you have one.

File with Missouri SOS

Use a formation service

A service prepares and files the paperwork, and most can act as your registered agent and send compliance reminders. You still pay the state fee on top of their price, and the state still decides whether to accept your name.

Bizee: $0 plus the state fee (Basic); Standard $199, Premium $299, plus state fee
LegalZoom: $0 plus state fees (Basic); Managed Service $249 plus state fees
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus the state fee
ZenBusiness: $0 plus the state fee (Starter); Pro $199 plus state fee, renews $199/yr

We don’t currently earn commissions from these providers. Prices from each provider’s site on Oct 30, 2026. We never send them your proposed name. Compare what each includes · Disclosure

An EIN (federal tax ID) is free from the IRS; you don’t need to pay anyone for one.

Keeping a Missouri LLC in good standing

No annual report required for LLCs. Source: sos.mo.gov

Missouri corporations do file an annual registration report (filing online saves $25 a year), or they can choose a biennial report: $30 online or $80 on paper, plus a $10 technology fee (RSMo 351.122).

Proof of status: Certificate of Good Standing ($5). Source: revisor.mo.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

Fictitious names are registered with the Secretary of State. Registering one gives you no exclusive rights, and several businesses can register the same fictitious name. Source: sos.mo.gov

Good to know about Missouri

Missouri LLCs don't file annual reports at all. Source: sos.mo.gov
Forming an LLC costs $50 online but $105 on paper. Source: sos.mo.gov
A name reservation lasts 60 days and can be renewed twice. After 180 days, the same applicant can never reserve that name again. Source: sos.mo.gov
A fictitious name gives no exclusive rights. Any number of businesses can register the same one. Source: sos.mo.gov
LLC filing fees are waived for Missouri residents serving in the National Guard or on active military duty. Source: revisor.mo.gov
An out-of-state business that operates in Missouri without registering faces a fine of at least $1,000. Source: sos.mo.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official Missouri sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

Items we couldn’t confirm on an official page (4)

We couldn't confirm the corporation annual registration report fee. The state's FAQ only says filing online saves $25.
State law sets the out-of-state LLC registration fee at $100. We couldn't confirm whether the $5 technology fee applies, making it $105.
We couldn't confirm the fee for registering a fictitious name.
We couldn't confirm the charter number format or the status labels the search uses. LLC charter numbers are commonly reported to start with 'LC'.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Missouri SOS can change an official record.