Missouri LLC

General Instructions for forming a Missouri LLC

A Missouri Limited Liability Company is formed by filing the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of Missouri.

1. By mail by submitting the completed Articles of Organization  to the following address
    Corporations Division
    P.O. Box 778 / 600 W. Main Street, Rm 322
    Jefferson City, MO 65102

2. Online with the Secretary of State of Missouri website by visiting the following link:
    Online application

Fees

The fee for submitting Articles of Organization by both mail and online in Missouri is $50.00.

Choose a Name for a Missouri LLC

The name of the company must contain the words "limited liability company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C.," or "LLC". The word "limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and the word "company" may be abbreviated as "Co.". Also the name cannot already be used by any registered business entity in the state.

There are certain words which are restricted or prohibited from being used in the name of an LLC. Restricted words are generally words which require additional supporting paperwork and licensed individuals to be part of the LLC, such as Banc, Bank, Banque, Doctor, Engineer etc. Prohibited words are generally any words that would confuse the name of your LLC with a federal agency, state agency, or municipality e.g. FBI, Secret Service, Treasury etc.

Name Availability search can be made by visiting the following link at the website of the Secretary of State of Missouri can be carried out at the link below, from the secretary of State for Missouri Website.
Name Search - Missouri LLC

Registered Agent

Before filing the articles of organization, a company must nominate a registered agent for the company. All corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships doing business in Missouri must have a registered agent with a Missouri state address. The registered agent must be an individual resident of Missouri or a corporation authorized to transact business in Missouri. A corporation or LLC may not act as its own agent. The registered agent’s business office address must be identical to the address of the registered office.

Articles of Organization - Missouri

The Articles of Organization form can be downloaded at the link below, from the Secretary of State of Missouri website.
Articles of Organization - Missouri LLC

Operating Agreement

Is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of the LLC, i.e. whether decisions are made by unanimous vote or by majority interest in the company, in the event of any disputes arising between the members (owners) of the LLC. Operating agreements are mandatory for all LLCs both single member and multimember in Missouri.

A free sample operating agreements can be found at the Internet Legal Research Group website:
Free Sample Operating Agreement- Missouri

A more customized version of the operating Agreement for Missouri LLC can be created using software called “LLC Maker” by Nolo, which can be downloaded for a fee at: LLC Maker By Nolo

EIN Number

The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is similar to a social security number for the company. As a requirement, the EIN is used to open a company bank account, to have employees, and to pay federal and state taxes.  After the state accepts the name of the company (i.e. the Articles of Organization have been processed by the state), an EIN can be obtained from the IRS free of charge via phone or online application.

Apply for an EIN on the Inland Revenue Service website: EIN Online Application or call to apply for an EIN: (800) 829-4933

Business Licenses and Permits

As a business participating in a particular trade, you may be required by the state to obtain a business license and/or permit. Regulations vary by industry, so it is important to acquire the correct license/permit. The U.S Small Business Administration provides a free, comprehensive site for guiding businesses through federal, state, and local issues. Your local Chamber of Commerce is also a good resource regarding local licenses and permits.

Fulfill any Employers’ Legal Liability

If you have employees working for the LLC, then you need to fulfill various state and federal laws such as informing the state and federal governments, employment law forms, wage and hour laws, and workers’ compensation insurance. The SBA is a great resource on Employment and Labor Laws.

It’s important to note that businesses with employees are required to carry Workers' Compensation Insurance.

General Liability Insurance

While there are many types of insurance coverage for any potential risk a business may face, General Liability Insurance is one kind of insurance every business should consider in case of legal hassle regarding injury, property damage, accidents, etc.

Online Business

Because online business is a global market, customers may come from all over the world. It’s important to be familiar with the rules and regulations for conducting e-commerce. Online Business Law

Other Resources

Check out the Resources Page for other useful information such information on SBA services, copyrights, trademarks, and patents.