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You form a Missouri LLC with one filing: Articles of Organization on form LLC-1, sent to the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State. Online it costs $50. On paper it costs $105. After that there is no yearly report to file for the LLC itself, which makes the first-year state cost $50 online. Our Missouri business guide covers searching records.
What goes into the Articles of Organization?
The form asks for a short list:
- the LLC name, with a required ending
- the purpose, which can be any lawful business
- the name and street address of the registered agent in Missouri
- whether managers or members run the company
- the events or number of years after which the LLC dissolves, which may be perpetual
- the name and street address of each organizer
Two optional items are a series LLC election and a principal office address. The effective date is the filing date unless you list a later one, up to 90 days out. The form itself warns that the dissolution answer could have tax consequences, so ask an accountant if you are unsure. Section 347.039 of the Missouri statutes sets out what the articles must contain.
How do you pick a name Missouri will accept?
End the name with Limited Liability Company, Limited Company, LC, L.C., L.L.C. or LLC. The name must be distinguishable from any entity registered in Missouri. The state runs a search on the business portal, and the match types matter: designators and punctuation count only in Exact Match.
A reservation is $25 and holds the name for 60 days. Our name reservation page explains when it pays off, and how to check LLC name availability lists the steps.
Who can be the registered agent?
A Missouri resident, or a corporation authorized in Missouri, whose business office is the same as the registered office. A PO Box needs a street address in the same city, and retail mailbox stores are not allowed. Details are on the Missouri registered agent page.
How do you file?
- Pick the agent and confirm their address.
- Decide on managers or members.
- Open the state's business filing system and file the articles online for $50.
- Wait for the filed copy. The state publishes no processing time in the pages we read.
If you file on paper, the fee is $105 and the form is LLC-1. A pre-clearance review of your documents costs $55 if you want the state to look first.
What happens after Missouri files your LLC?
Write an operating agreement. Missouri will not accept it for filing, so you keep it with your records. Then get an EIN using how to get an EIN and open a bank account in the LLC's name.
What does a Missouri LLC owe each year?
The state's FAQ says LLCs file no annual report. The yearly registration report applies to corporations, which pay a $15 penalty for every 30 days it is late. For an LLC the main upkeep is keeping the registered agent and office current. The state can cancel the registration of entities that fail to maintain an agent.
Anything unusual about Missouri?
Two things stand out. The fee gap between online and paper is $55, and the agent rules reject retail mailbox addresses outright. The state lists the same $105 paper fee for a foreign LLC that registers in Missouri, covered in foreign LLC registration. Out-of-state owners can also form a new LLC here if they name a Missouri agent. The listed fees already include a $5 technology fee. See LLC for non-residents. Neighbours set their own terms: compare Iowa, Illinois and Kentucky.
Ready to start? Use the start an LLC form.
After approval, check the rules in our Missouri business license guide.