How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Missouri?
Legal business registration — and making sure your business remains compliant — involves some necessary expenses. Some of these costs are payable to the Missouri Secretary of State, while others are due to additional state entities or the federal government. Here are some of the most common requirements and fees.
Please note that Missouri business license and permit fees may need to be paid when you first form your business, on an ongoing schedule or on an ad hoc basis. Find more details below.
Initial Missouri LLC Fees
You’ll need to file as an LLC with the Missouri Secretary of State and pay a filing fee when you first formally form your business. Here are the current Missouri LLC fees and filing times:
| State Fee | State Filing Time | Expedited Filing Time |
| $52* | 3 Weeks | 2 Business Days |
| State Fee | $52* | |
| State Filing Time | 3 Weeks | |
| Expedited Filing Time | 2 Business Days |
*includes a $2 online filing fee
When you form your LLC with us, Incfile will charge you this fee and forward it to the Missouri Secretary of State when we file your formation paperwork.
Employer Identification Number
Every LLC in the U.S. should obtain a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. You'll use it when you open a business bank account, file taxes and pay employees. It's available at no cost from the IRS or have Incfile obtain one for you.
Foreign LLCs
When you want to do business in a state other than the one where your business is based, you must create a Foreign LLC.
Missouri Foreign LLC Registration
Foreign companies are those that are formed in another state or country. In order to transact business in Missouri, these entities must file Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State for a Foreign LLC.
The registration must be accompanied by a Certificate of Good Standing or a Certificate of Existence from the domestic state of formation. Register your out-of-state foreign company online by filing your Application for Registration of a Foreign LLC with the SOS. The filing fee for a Missouri Foreign LLC is $105. The state may have additional requirements, so contact the Missouri Secretary of State for more information.
Foreign Qualification to Operate in Another State
If you plan to expand your Missouri LLC into another state, you’ll first need Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority or Compliance from that state. This is necessary if you'll have a physical presence, employees or banking in that state.
This process will likely require you to complete an application and pay a filing fee. Each state typically has its own requirements, so you’ll want to contact the state government entity that administers business (usually the Secretary of State) for specific instructions.
If you need assistance, Incfile provides complete Foreign Qualification service for all states.
Annual Report Requirements
Most states — including Missouri — require businesses to file an annual (or other periodic) report with the Secretary of State. For the State of Missouri, the Secretary of State requires an annual registration report to be filed by corporations once every year.
In Missouri, you can also elect to file reports biennially. When you file your periodic report, you’ll need to pay a fee of $20 for an annual report or $40 for a biennial report. Here are the Missouri annual report filing requirements:
Annual Report
Annual Report is not required for LLCs at this time
Missouri Business License and Permit Requirements
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the proper state, federal or local business licenses to operate your Missouri LLC. Some of the associated fees only need to be paid once, while others are ongoing charges.
Permits and licenses vary based on:
The industry your LLC operates in (e.g., restaurants will need health permits)
The location of your LLC (state, county or city) (e.g., a license to conduct business from Jefferson City)
The type of business you run (e.g., healthcare providers must meet HIPAA requirements)
Running your business without the required licenses may expose you to risks and fines from federal, state and local governments.
You can research these permits and licenses yourself, or use Incfile’s Business License Research Package, which includes:
- A complete report on all the licenses, permits and tax registrations your LLC will need
- The applications you'll need to file with the state, regional and federal licensing authorities
Operating Agreements
The State of Missouri doesn't require you to have an LLC Operating Agreement in place.
An Operating Agreement is a document that covers the rights and duties of the business members, how the business will be run, how managers and members are chosen and several other key areas. It's usually filed with your Articles of Organization at the time of your formal business formation.
This document can be extremely helpful in making sure you’re organized and prepared for any future events that may affect your business.
If you have any unique requirements, you can make the necessary changes to accommodate them.
Other Potential Missouri LLC Fees or Requirements
It is normal for your business to pay and meet several other fees and requirements during the life of your LLC. These ad hoc fees will only be payable in specific circumstances, as listed below.
Obtaining a Fictitious Name or DBA
If you wish to establish a Missouri DBA or fictitious name, you must register your fictitious name with the Missouri Secretary of State and pay a filing fee of $7.
Changing the Registered Agent
Your LLC needs a Missouri Registered Agent, which you must appoint when you file your Articles of Organization. You can also switch to a new Registered Agent later — for a fee of $37 — by filing a Statement of Change form with the Missouri SOS.
It’s free for the first year if you form your LLC with us and $119 a year after.
Reserving a Name for Your LLC
If you don’t want to form your LLC right away, you can reserve a business name for 60 days with the Missouri SOS by filing an Application for Reservation of Name and paying a filing fee of $25. A name reservation may also be renewed or extended for two additional 60-day periods, for a total possible name reservation period of 180 days. First, perform a Missouri business search and learn about business name rules to ensure you choose a name that meets state requirements.
Amending Certain Facts About Your LLC
Your business formation documents state certain facts about your Missouri business at the time it's formed. Over time, these facts may change. If they do, you'll need to file an Articles of Amendment form with the Missouri Secretary of State and pay a filing fee of $25. You can do this yourself or have Incfile file the amendments on your behalf.
You may want to file Articles of Amendment when you:
- Add, remove or change an LLC member or manager
- Change the stated business activities of your LLC
- Alter the stated business activities of your LLC
Getting a Missouri Certificate of Compliance
Some organizations will request that you prove your LLC’s compliance with laws and tax requirements. If you need to prove you have met your commitments, you’ll need a Certificate of Good Standing from the Missouri Secretary of State. You can obtain one by ordering a Certificate of Good Standing from the SOS via their online portal and paying a fee of $10.
The fees listed above detail many of the charges a standard LLC will be required to pay in Missouri. In some unusual circumstances, there may be other one-off, periodic or ad hoc fees not listed above.
Of course, your LLC will also probably need to pay self-employment, payroll, federal, state and sales taxes. More information about taxes can be found on the Missouri Business Tax page.
FAQs About Missouri LLC Fees
We will charge you this fee at cost and then pay the fee to the MO Secretary of State on your behalf when forming your Missouri business.
It depends on various factors, including:
- The type of business you run
- Where your business is located
- Governing bodies in your industry
- Federal, state and local regulations
Many new businesses need a business license, and you may be required to obtain additional licenses and permits. Our Business License Research package can take the guesswork out of it for you and help you learn what your LLC needs to be compliant.
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