How to Form a Missouri LLC

The very first step in your Missouri LLC formation process is to choose a distinctive and legally compliant name for your business. Your chosen name should reflect your brand’s identity in the best way possible and needs to be memorable. While we understand that shortlisting the perfect name for your LLC is a challenge on its own, we still recommend following the guidelines mentioned below,

• Most importantly, the name you choose for your Missouri LLC should be different from other registered business entities in the State. These entities include everything from corporations to sole proprietorships to LLCs. You can check the availability of names by doing an LLC name search online through the Secretary of State website.

   

• Your chosen LLC name should display its limited liability status. It should have appropriate abbreviations like, 

1. Limited Liability Company
2. Limited Company
3. LLC 
4. LC.
5. LC
6. LLC(Most business owners stick with this one)

• It goes without saying, but your Missouri LLC name should have no vulgar, rude, or forbidden words as per the Missouri state regulations.

   

• Avoid using terms like “board,” “trustee,” “insurance,” “State Department,” or any other word related to any government agency, as they can restrict your LLC’s identity.

   

• Also, refrain from using words that might confuse people and make them think your LLC is something it’s really not or is providing services it really isn’t, like a bank, corporation, FBI, or CIA.

   

• Check that your chosen name is not already used as a website domain to avoid any trademark or legal issues. You can also check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s site for federal trademarks.

   

• Some words like “lawyer,” “bank,” “credit union,” or “attorney” have special restrictions because of their professional nature. If you use them, you will have to provide additional documentation licensing to the Missouri state government.

   

• If your LLC intends to provide any professional services licensed by the Missouri Secretary of State, you need to use abbreviations like “Professional Limited Liability Company,” “PLLC,” or “P.L.L.C.”

   

• Similarly, a worker cooperative should use terms like “Limited Worker Cooperative Association,” “LWCA,” or “L.W.C.A.”

   

• Lastly, if you plan on using the name of a living individual in your LLC’s name, you will require their written consent.

Still unsatisfied? Here’s a complete list of naming rules and regulations for a Missouri LLC. You can go through it quickly before deciding on a name for your LLC to avoid any future lawsuits and application rejections. 

If you have a unique, memorable, and legally compliant name in mind already but just aren’t prepared completely to open an LLC, you can consider reserving your name by submitting a form and paying a small fee. Yes, that’s possible! You can file an Application for Reservation of Name (BE 1) with the Missouri Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25, and it can be submitted online. Using the form above, you can hold your desired name for 60 days (and renew for two additional 60-day periods).

Lastly, if you don’t wish to use your registered business name(one that’s mentioned in your Articles of Organization document) when doing business in the real world, you do have the option of using a Trade Name. You may also know it by Fictitious Name or as a DBA (doing business as). 

You simply need to register your assumed name with the Missouri Secretary of State. Again, you have the option to file online or by postal mail by filing Registration of Fictitious Name. The filing fee is $7.