How to File the Missouri LLC Articles of Organization
The Missouri Articles of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File the Missouri LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Missouri Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Missouri LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization
- File the Articles of Organization
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your Missouri Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Missouri Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create an account on the Missouri Secretary of State website. After signing in, select “Create LLC” under the “LLC Filings” section of the user homepage.
Create Account- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Missouri Secretary of State website. This form will need to be mailed to the Missouri Corporations Division.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Missouri Articles of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete each Article:
- Entity Name
- Business Purpose
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
- Duration
- Names and Addresses of Organizers
- Series LLC Information (if applicable)
- Effective Date
Entity Name
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- meets Missouri naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Missouri.
Follow the Missouri Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, L.C.).
- Your name cannot contain any of the following terms or their abbreviations: corporation, incorporated, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability limited partnership, and Ltd.
- Your name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for any purpose other than the one outlined in its articles of organization.
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- In some states, restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Missouri reserved names.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Missouri? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Missouri Secretary of State website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Missouri guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Business Purpose
In Missouri, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity. Provide a brief description of your business in this section.
Keep in mind that a business purpose that involves licensing, tax-exemption, or tax-deductible status requires specific language from the IRS or a professional license.
Registered Agent Name and Address
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your Missouri LLC, you are required to list your registered agent and its address.
Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Missouri. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during normal business hours.
To learn more about choosing a Missouri registered agent, read our How To Choose A Missouri Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Governing Authority Type
You must state whether or not your LLC will be run by managers or by its members.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
LLC Duration
You must include any scheduled events that would lead to the dissolution of your LLC or a planned dissolution date. If this doesn’t apply to your LLC, you can state that the LLC is “perpetual.”
Names and Addresses of Organizers
List the names and addresses of all the LLC’s organizers. They do not have to be members, managers, or owners of the LLC.
Series LLC Information (if applicable)
You only need to complete this section if your LLC is registered as a “series LLC.” For more information on series LLCs, read our What Is a Series LLC? guide.
Effective Date
If you would like the effective date of the Articles of Organization to be a future date, rather than the filing date, enter that date here.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the forms online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in-person.
File the Missouri Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create an account or log in to the Missouri Secretary of State website. Then, file online by filling in the required fields under “Create an LLC.”
File Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Missouri Secretary of State website.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $50 online; $105 by mail
Mail to:
State of Missouri Secretary of State
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 778 / 600 W. Main St., Rm. 322
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Steps After Your Missouri LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A Missouri LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Missouri, you aren’t required to have an Operating Agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC’s private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business' corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with Missouri's Steps for Starting a Business website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Missouri Quick Links
Missouri Business Online Filing System
Missouri Steps for Starting a Business
Missouri Business Fees and Forms
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.