How to Start an LLC in Missouri (MO LLC 2024)


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

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How to Start an LLC in Missouri: If you’re looking to start an LLC in Missouri, you’ve come to the right page. Setting up an LLC is easy and cost-effective. To form an LLC, you must follow a few steps that include naming your LLC, hiring a registered agent, filing your formation documents, doing the operating agreement, and finally obtaining the EIN. You can easily set up your LLC at a very low cost in Missouri. Though, you must pay the mandatory state filing fee. These fees and charges can be tax deductible, making the LLC formation cost almost negligible.

On this page, You’ll find all the steps that must be taken to ensure that your Missouri LLC has been correctly formed. We recommend you read the whole article very carefully, word by word, don’t miss anything 🙂

How to Start an LLC in Missouri

An LLC (aka Limited Liability Company) is a hybrid business entity combining a corporation’s characteristics with a partnership or sole proprietorship. It separates your personal assets from your business assets, thus giving you personal asset protection. For an LLC, members’ personal assets are not affected by business debts. However, in some cases, if the LLC is sued for business debts, courts might pierce the corporate veil and use the owner’s personal assets to meet their corporate liabilities.

If you wish to start an LLC in Missouri, you must file your Articles of Organization with the State and pay a filing fee of $50. While it’s the most important step, it’s not the only one. There are 4 other crucial steps to follow to get your LLC formed in Missouri. Below are all 5 steps that explain everything you need to do to start a Missouri LLC in 2024. Let’s get started! You can always hire a professional LLC formation service in Missouri to set up your LLC instead of doing it alone; a Pro service will ensure everything is done properly.

Step 1: Decide a Name for Your Missouri LLC

Missouri name your llc

The first step while forming a limited liability company in Missouri is to give a proper name to your LLC. Before you name your business, you must know that the name should be easy to remember, available in the state, and follows all the LLC naming guidelines.

Missouri LLC Naming Guidelines

There are a few specific requirements all the LLCs in Missouri have to follow while naming their Company. Some of the most important requirements are as follows:

  • Your business name should be available and no other existing business in Missouri can have the same name. ZenBusiness offers unlimited business name searches without any hassle.
  • “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, and “L.L.C.” – any one of these has to be used as a suffix in your business name.
  • You cannot use any name for your business that is confusing or misleading. Terms such as “Treasury”, “State Department”, “FBI”, “CIA”, etc. shouldn’t be included.
  • Terms like “Bank“, “University“, “Attorney“, “Doctor“, etc can be added only after the additional requirements by Missouri State Government are fulfilled.
  • (Optional) It’s better to name your business something for which your desired domain is available.
Important Links –Submit Offline Form to –
Missouri Business Entity Search – Online Search
Name Reservation Form – PDF
Missouri LLC Name Search – Instructions
Attn: Corporations Division
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Reserve Business Name for Future

If you do not wish to file your LLC right now but want to hold the name you have decided on, then you can reserve your LLC name for 60 days. To keep the name, you must file a name reservation application and pay $25 to reserve your name with the Missouri Secretary of State.

Doing Business As (DBA) or Trade Name

Once you have a legal name for your LLC, you can register it. However, it is not mandatory. You can, instead, use DBA, Fictitious Name, or Trade Name. In that case, you must register your name with the Missouri Secretary of State by submitting an Application for Registration of Fictitious Name in Missouri, along with the filing fee of $7.

Recommended: You can do name search, business domain, website, emails, and a lot more in one place by hiring a professional service. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness($0 for LLC Formation)

Apart from LLC formation, ZenBusiness offers customized website templates and business emails at a very reasonable price. If you plan to get a website, then it is wise to have a “.com” domain for your business, but these days you can also use other TLDs like “.io”, “.company”, “.xyz,” etc. Here you can get everything you need for your business in one dashboard.

Do I have to include LLC in my company email/domain?

It is not legally mandatory to use the word LLC in your domain name or email. If you want you can use it. However, it is recommended not to use LLC in the domain name. A domain name should be short and easy to remember.

Step 2: Assign a Registered Agent in Missouri

Missouri registered agent

The second step to forming an LLC in Missouri is to appoint a Registered Agent. A registered agent is a person or business entity working on your LLC’s behalf. This person or business will receive important tax forms, legal documents, all notices of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence in Missouri. Hence, hiring a competent Missouri Registered Agent for your LLC is necessary.

Make sure your registered agent is a resident of Missouri or has a physical street address. This address will be used as the principal address of your LLC to receive any legal documents. Most LLC formation companies also provide registered agent services. Below are two great LLC formation services; even if you buy their cheapest plan (normally $0/year), you also get registered agent service and other services at a very reasonable price.

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

Top Features

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#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

  • Established reputation

  • Extras are bit more expensive

  • Good customer support

These two are our top recommendations for registered agent service, as they are competent and authorized to conduct business in Missouri. Some LLC formation services also offer standalone Missouri registered agent services. You can purchase only Registered Agent services without purchasing any other LLC formation services. This standalone service might become handy if you are doing it yourself and don’t want to disclose your home address or you don’t want to pierce the corporate veil.

Who Can Be a Registered Agent?

A person who is above 18 years of age and has a physical address in the state of Missouri can be a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent can be an independent person or can be a business entity. One is responsible for handling all the legal documents on the LLCs behalf.

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent if you are a resident of the state of Missouri and you are above 18 years of age. To become a registered agent you must have the authority to conduct any type of business in Missouri.

Why Shouldn’t I be My Own Registered Agent?

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t be your own registered agent. The address of the registered agent is used to communicate with the SOS or for any legal activities. If you are your own registered agent, you might have to upload your personal address to the public forum. Besides, the registered agent must be at the address during business hours. It won’t be easy for you as you also have to take care of other things in your LLC. Hence, it is wiser to appoint a separate entity as your registered agent.

What is Piercing the Corporate Veil in LLC?

If an LLC is sued in Missouri, in some cases, courts might decide to lift the corporate veil, which means the owners of the LLC will be personally liable for their business debts. They might have to forgo their personal assets to repay their business debts. This is called piercing the corporate veil, where personal and business assets are not separated anymore. Your personal assets can be protected if you have enough capital and all your LLC documents are properly filed.

Registered Agent Consent Application

In Missouri, there is no separate Consent Letter to be produced to the Secretary of State. At the time of change of Registered Agent (or the name or address), the new Registered Agent has to sign the consent letter. It comes with the Application form to Change the Registered Agent. The filing fee of $10 should be paid for it. For more information on the same, read our guide on Missouri Registered Agent.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization in Missouri

Missouri certificate of formation

The third and most important step in forming a Missouri LLC is to file the Articles of Organization. This Missouri Articles of Organization is a legal document that is required to register your business with the Missouri Secretary of State. It costs $50 (Online and $105 by mail) to file your formation certificate in Missouri.

The Articles of Organization includes details like the name of the LLC, registered agent’s name, address, employees’ details, and structure of the company (member-managed or manager-managed). Before hiring employees in Missouri LLC, one should know about the rules and regulations thoroughly. Also if you are expanding your existing business (an LLC) in other states to Missouri then you need to register as a Missouri Foreign LLC.

How to File Online

Go to the Secretary of State Online Service. You will get the online service page. If you are already a subscriber, then click on the “log in to Subscribe Account” option and log in with your credentials. If you’re not subscribed, then you can directly start filing your LLC by clicking on the “Online Filing” button below. Read more about the Missouri Certificate of Formation for online registration.

How to File by Mail

If you prefer filing real-life forms for your Missouri LLC registration, then you can download Domestic LLC Formation Form. Read the form thoroughly, fill it out, and mail it to the following address,

Mailing Address:

Corporations Unit
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Processing Time: Normally, it takes around 6 business days (approx) to get your LLC formed in Missouri. The processing time for online filing might be a little faster than offline filing. With an additional cost, you can get expedited filing as well. However, the document processing time can be changed due to various factors.

Recommended: Online LLC Formation service can provide all these documents way faster than usual time with lifetime customer support and 100% accuracy. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Every LLC owner has to pay the filing fees to register their business in Missouri. This fee is mandatory but also tax deductible. If you’re doing it yourself (filing on your own), it will not cost you any additional service fee. However, it is not feasible to do that as the DIY process might be delayed, complicated, and messy, especially if you’re a novice entrepreneur. Hence, it is recommended to get professional guidance to get your LLC formed in Missouri.

Step 4: Create Your Missouri LLC Operating Agreement

Missouri operating agreement

Moving on to the fourth step, filing your operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that legally outlines the proprietorship and operating procedures of your LLC. This document is vital as it ensures that all business owners are on the same page regarding how they operate, thus reducing future conflicts.

When it comes to filing a Missouri LLC Operating Agreement, the state does not require you to have a comprehensive operating agreement, but it is ideal to have one that contains all the details of your business operation that helps in taking future business decisions, especially if you decide to dissolve Missouri LLC later. Hence, having an operating agreement may not be necessary, but it is surely ideal.

Recommended: You can get a professionally made operating agreement for very less cost with ZenBusiness. You don’t need to worry about drafting it as they will take care of it on your behalf. We recommend using –

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ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

The operating agreement draft can be created for free if you don’t hire a professional. However, there is an advantage to appointing a proficient person/service. You will get a businesslike quality operating agreement at a very cheap fee, which will help you in the future. Hiring a professional service means you can sleep well at night 🙂

Step 5: Filing a Missouri LLC EIN

Missouri file EIN for llc

The Employer Identification Number (aka EIN) is a nine-digit number given by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make it easier to identify the type of business for tax purposes and taxes in general. The EIN is necessary for any active business or any form of business for that matter.

EIN is needed when the LLC hires employees. Hiring employees in Missouri LLC requires following specific rules and regulations. On the other side, EIN for Missouri foreign LLC should be obtained if your LLC is based in other states.

To obtain EIN (aka FEIN), one must fill up a form (Online or by mail) and submit it to the IRS. Enter details of your LLC, and finally, complete the form and send it to the address given. You can also get an EIN Assistant to help you with the process.

Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935 | Fee: Free

Recommended: This hassle will be reduced when you hire an LLC formation service. They take care of obtaining EIN and all other things for your LLC. We recommend using –

#1 TOP PICK

ZenBusiness – ($0 + State Fees) Online LLC Setup

Note: You don’t need a Social Security number when getting an EIN. You can proceed to fill out I.R.S. Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. You must then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Agents or employees will help you with that.


Congratulations, you are now done with all the necessary steps to form your Limited Liability Company in Missouri. If you do it yourself, it should take you a long time to understand and do all the steps properly.

However, if you use ZenBusiness, it should be way faster. You will always have a live chat option and phone support with experts for any help you need. Their worry-free service will make things easier for you.


After Starting Your Missouri LLC

After forming your LLC, there are still some things that you will need. The most important thing is to separate your business and personal assets. LLCs have limited liability protection that protects your personal assets from business liability. This is called a corporate veil. However, the corporate veil can be lifted or pierced by the court if the LLC is sued. In that case, the owners of the LLC become personally liable for their corporate debts. A few things like appointing a legit registered agent, having enough capital, and filing all the major documents with the state can save the LLCs from being pierced into the corporate veil.

Apart from that, there are a few things you need to take note of,

This page has provided you with steps to LLC formation and filing processes. You now have to remember upcoming filing deadlines and filing fees or filing costs, including fees for late filings to make sure your LLC is up-to-date.

Cost of Missouri LLC

LLCs can be formed by spending very less price. Apart from the mandatory state filing fees, you don’t have to bear additional service charges if you do it yourself. Following are the fees and taxes LLCs in Missouri must pay to register and run a business in the state. Forming an LLC is no doubt cost-effective compared to other business structures. However, the fees and charges (tax-deductible) that you must pay to the state, such as name reservation fee, name filing fee, LLC filing fee, and Franchise Tax & Sales Tax (If applicable). Here are the main fees and taxes you must pay while forming your limited liability company in Missouri,

Fees/TaxAmount to be Paid
Name Reservation Fee (online and by mail)$25
Articles of Organization Fee$105 (by mail and $50 online)
LLC Annual Fee$7
Sales Tax6.225%

In Missouri, an LLC name reservation is not mandatory. You can register your LLC name at the time of registering your LLC. If you wish to hold the name for some time without registering your LLC, then you can do that online. Your LLC name will be reserved for 60 days without registering your LLC. It can be renewed by paying $25.

In Missouri, an Annual Report has to be produced every year. It costs $7. Also, the State of Missouri requires to pay a Sales Tax of 6.225%. Read our guide on LLC costs in Missouri for more information.

Missouri Foreign LLC

If you are interested in forming a Foreign LLC in Missouri then you need to file the Certificate of Foreign LLC to the Missouri Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs allow you to operate your business in more than one state. Along with the Certificate of Foreign LLC, you need to submit some more documents like the Certificate of Good Standing, etc. to the Missouri SOS to form your foreign LLC in Missouri. To know more in detail, check out our guide on Missouri Foreign LLC.

Reasons to Start an LLC in Missouri

LLCs are easy to form. Also, in Missouri, LLCs get various business funding options, especially for the woman-owned business. A liability company is a form of business ownership where tax liabilities are much lesser than other forms of business. Read more on Missouri’s classification of LLC tax. Here is a set of benefits to starting an LLC in Missouri.

Manufacturers get an exemption from the sales tax

If a manufacturing unit is forming an LLC in Missouri, they should know that they will get a sales tax filing benefit. The government waives off the whole tax that they are about to file on the product’s manufacturing. Along with that, some local usage tax is also lifted from them.

Working program in Missouri

When a new LLC is formed, then the government helps them in the task of generating jobs. In this way, the government helps the local people to get jobs in private businesses. On the other, by providing incentives, the state is helping the LLCs to expand their business. The benefit they will get is saving the state withholding tax that they have to pay as the government provides credit.

Benefits of charging points

LLCs in Missouri that are operating for installation of Charging Points at the fuel points will be benefited from the government of Missouri. Businesses will receive tax credits of $22,000 or 20% of the total cost. To get this credit or to enjoy the benefits, one has to be qualified for the program.

A load of formalities is less

There are many formalities that every LLC has to go through, which are set by the state they are operating. If these formalities are not completed by the LLCs properly, it can cause an issue for them, but in Missouri, one can get over these formalities. They are as follows.

  • The LLC’s duties to impose on a person can be easily shifted, and the terms and conditions can be altered. All of these are handled by the top managing members of the LLC.
  • The interest of a business can be transferred freely without any hassle.
  • Annual reports are not required to be filed with the secretary of state.
  • The annual manager or member meetings are also not necessary.

Best Businesses in Missouri

Are you about to start an LLC in Missouri? If yes, you must gain knowledge regarding the economics of the state and industries contributing the most to the state GDP. Here is a list of those top industries.

Forestry and Agriculture

If you look at the state’s forestry and agriculture industry, its total contribution is around $88.4 billion. There is a huge plantation of crops of cotton and soybean in the state. Other than the crops, Missouri is ranked at number 2nd in beef production and 6th in turkey production around the country.

Also, the forestry sector contributes around $10 billion to the country’s economy, out of which $170 million is the export value, which is grown to around 8% from the previous year.

Real Estate Rental and Leasing

The real estate and renting businesses have grown rapidly in the state, contributing around $35.6 million to the state GDP. People, instead of investing much in the property, are much willing to rent a property. It can be for their personal space or their professional space. Along with the rental sector, the legal industry has also got a little boost before renting the real estate space. You need to make a lease which is the work of a legal advisor.

Defense

The state of Missouri is contributing hugely to aerospace and defense. There are more than 80,000 people who are employed in the industry. There is a Boeing Defense space and security assembly station which is employing most of the employees. Also, an aviation maintenance center in the state has a considerable contribution to the economy.

Some of the small businesses that have great scope in Missouri state are:-

  • Moving Company
  • Hogs Business
  • Photo Editing Business
  • Speech Writing Services

Missouri LLC Formation Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

Just to recap, here are the easy steps again when forming an LLC in Missouri. Click on the steps in this list to read the full detail.

  1. Name your Missouri LLC

    The first thing you must do is to choose a company name, which should be unique, easy to find, and available in the state.
    name your llc

  2. Choose a Registered Agent

    In Missouri, it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. Get a professional Registered Agent from LLC formation services to get things done hassle-free.
    registered agent

  3. File a Formation Certificate

    Filing a formation certificate is necessary when forming an LLC in Missouri. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.
    articles of organization

  4. Create an Operating Agreement

    An operating agreement is not a strict requirement in Missouri but something encouraged when you start an LLC to avoid future conflicts.
    operating agreement

  5. Get an EIN

    The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity like a social security number but for a company.
    file EIN for llc

F.A.Qs

Can I file an LLC in Missouri by myself?

If you are a resident of Missouri, then you can file your LLC by yourself. However, it is always worth having a professional than doing it yourself to handle legal complexities, paperwork, and other documentation.

What is the cost of forming an LLC in Missouri in a year?

Apart from the formation fee of $50 (domestic LLC) and $105 (foreign LLC), LLC costs in Missouri do not include any Annual fee as it does not require any annual report. LLCs are liable to pay sales tax of 6.225% every year.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Missouri?

It takes no time (immediately) to get a Missouri LLC if you file it online. For the mail filing, it takes 5 to 6 business days to get an LLC. If you hire a professional LLC service, then it might take less than that. We recommend TailorBrands which has impeccable turnaround time.

How to renew my LLC in Missouri?

Every year all the LLCs have to submit an Annual Report to the state in other states. But for Missouri, LLCs have to fill up a renewal form (which costs $7) and submit it to the Missouri Secretary of State and renew the LLC. It is mandatory to renew your LLC every year.

What is the tax structure for an LLC in Missouri?

Generally, for the LLCs, it is a default tax structure. Once you will obtain the EIN, you will get the various tax structure options to select. Sometimes LLCs choose S Corp to reduce federal tax burdens. Read more on the Missouri Classification of LLC Tax.

How Fast Can I Form an LLC in Missouri

Online filing procedures for LLC in Missouri can be completed instantly once the payment is received. On-paper filings may take up to 3-6 business days.

One of the main factors that can impact how fast an LLC can be formed in Missouri is the level of preparation. Entrepreneurs who have all of the required information and documents ready to go can significantly expedite the process. This includes selecting a suitable business name, filling out and submitting the necessary forms, and having a clear understanding of the overall structure and purpose of the LLC.

Additionally, utilizing online resources and services can also help streamline the process of forming an LLC in Missouri. There are various platforms available that offer step-by-step guidance and automated services to help guide entrepreneurs through the necessary requirements. These tools can save time and ensure that all necessary steps are completed correctly and efficiently.

Another important consideration is the state processing time for LLC formation documents. While Missouri generally has a reputation for quick processing times, factors such as peak filing seasons and government backlogs can impact the speed at which an LLC is formed. Checking the most up-to-date processing times and staying informed on any potential delays can help entrepreneurs plan accordingly and manage their expectations.

Furthermore, seeking assistance from professionals such as attorneys or business consultants can also be beneficial when forming an LLC in Missouri. These experts can provide valuable guidance, ensure all legal requirements are met, and offer advice on best practices for establishing and operating the LLC. While this may involve additional costs, the expertise and peace of mind they offer can be well worth the investment.

Overall, forming an LLC in Missouri can be a relatively efficient process with the right preparation, resources, and support. By approaching the process strategically, entrepreneurs can navigate through the necessary steps in a timely manner and set their business up for success. While there may be some variations in processing times and complexities along the way, staying informed and proactive can help ensure a smooth and expedited LLC formation process.

In Conclusion

LLCs are easier to establish than other business structures. Small businesses, especially start-ups can easily start their LLCs in Missouri at a bare minimum cost. LLCs have a ‘pass-through taxation’ advantage for which they are excluded from certain taxes. The formation of limited liability companies requires much lesser documents and legal processes. Share your queries with us, and leave a comment below.

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