Steps to Form a Missouri LLC

The steps for filing online or by mail are largely the same. The screenshots show filing online.

Begin by creating an account with the Missouri S ecretary of State. If you would rather file by mail, download the Missouri Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)
Next, click on “Business Entity Online Filing.”

Then click on “Create LLC” Under the “LLC Filings” Section.

Step 1: Domestic or Foreign LLC

First, leave the type drop-down box as “Limited Liability Company.” Next is the Domestic of Foreign drop-down box. If your LLC is based in Missouri, select domestic. If the LLC was formed in another state (referred to as a Foreign LLC) and wanting to do business in Missouri, select “Foreign.” Enter the choice and click “Begin.”

Step 2: Name the LLC

If you have previously reserved an LLC name with the Secretary of State, you can enter the Name Reservation Number. You do not have to reserve a name before forming the LLC.

Next, enter the name you want for the LLC. The LLC’s name also has to differ from other entity names registered with the Secretary of State. Check on available Missouri LLC names before filing to be sure the one you want is available. You may also want to see if a domain name is also available to have a matching website address.

Additionally, the name of the LLC must include one of the following phrases or abbreviations at the end of the business name:

Limited Liability Company
Limited Liability Co.
Limited Company
L.L.C.
L. L. C.
LLC
L L C
L.C.
LC
L C

Other naming guidelines include not using words that may imply the business is a part of a state or federal government agency such as the name of a state department, FBI, or Treasury. Also, unless additional paperwork is filed, a business can’t use words of bank, university, or any licensed professionals such as an attorney or doctor unless the business is licensed to provide those services and a licensed individual is part of your LLC.

Enter the name and click “Next: General Info.”

If you plan to use a different name from the one that you register (perhaps you want to run multiple businesses under the LLC), you can use a fictitious name (sometimes referred to as a trade name, assumed name, DBA, or Doing Business As name). To register a fictitious name, file the Registration of Fictitious Name, along with the $7 filing fee with the Secretary of State.

Step 3: General Info

Duration: In this section, you can indicate how long it will remain in existence. Most LLCs will choose a Perpetual duration; however, some businesses (usually investment-related) will have a specific closure date.

Managed by: This section asks if the LLC is Member-Managed or Manager-Managed.

Member-Managed LLCs have an active involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business.
Manager-Managed LLCs are hired by the members to run the LLC, similar to a CEO of a corporation.

Most LLCs are member-managed.

Purpose: Provide some basic information about what the business does. You will need to provide some basic information; otherwise, the LLC filing will be rejected. If you want to keep the business purpose more open-ended, you can add “and engage in any lawful business activity for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized in Missouri” in addition to the original purpose statement.

Effective Date: If you want the LLC to start on today’s date, leave this field blank, otherwise enter a date less than 90 days in the future to start.

Series LLC: A Series LLC provides liability protection across multiple asset groups or businesses, each of which would be protected from liabilities from the other series. The Series LLC is not a common choice and most common with real estate investment companies. Click on the box if you want to form a Series LLC.

Step 4: Registered Agent

A Registered Agent in Missouri must be identified when forming an LLC. The Registered Agent can either be a resident of Missouri (Select “Reg. Agent is Individual” and click “I do not want to search” and enter the individual’s information) or a Resident Agent service (Select “Reg. Agent is Organization” and click “Search Reg. Agent” to find the address that is registered with the Secretary of State). The agent must have a physical address in the state (PO Boxes are not allowed) and act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. on behalf of the LLC.

Step 5: Organizers

An LLC Organizer is someone involved with the formation of the Articles of Organization. The Organizer may or may not become a member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but the initial members will all be listed as organizers.

Enter the information and click on “Save Organizer:

Step 6: Review

Review that all of the information is correct. If there are no corrections, click the checkbox that says “I acknowledge that the information provided above is true and correct,” then click “Next Signature(s)”

Step 7: Signature(s)

Have one of the organizers from Step 5 sign the Articles. Enter this person’s name, title and click on the checkbox that says, “The undersigned understands that false statements made in this filing are subject to the penalties provided under Section 575.040, RSMo”. Then click “Save” to continue.

Step 8: Pay and File

Pay and file the Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division.

In approximately 5-10 business days, if filing by mail or immediately if filing online, the LLC will be approved.

If mailing send to:
Missouri Secretary of State
Corporations Unit
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102