Missouri is a great state for business and you may be wondering how to register a Doing Business As here. This guide will help you through the process step by step, so whether you’re just starting out or want to switch up that boring old DBA name with something more interesting – read on!
Important! Please keep in mind that DBA is not a business structure, so it won’t protect you from liabilities, lawsuits, or any other unforeseen situations. DBA stands for Doing Business As. – often precedes the name under which a business operates, which is not the legal name of the business.
Therefore, before starting, make sure you understand the difference between informal business structures such as sole proprietorship and formal ones like corporations and LLCs.
To register or renew the trademark, trade name, or service mark for your company in Missouri you need to file the application to the Secretary of State. Here is what you need to do:
Missouri Business Entity Search
Your company’s trade name should be unique and have not been acquired by any other entity in Missouri. Moreover, this name must also meet the business name requirements of Missouri.
First, you have to search the Missouri Secretary of State’sBusiness Entity Search portal for the DBA, Business, & Fictitious names. Check the portal thoroughly to know whether the name that you wish to have for your business has already been taken by someone or not. Make sure, this name isn’t already in use.
Note: You can also find a complete guide on business name search here.
Once you are done searching, the next step is to review the naming requirements of the state of Missouri. In general, your DBA should not include:
- LLC, Incorporated, Corp., or any other business entity suffix unless the business is actually an LLC, or corporation.
- Any terms that are used financial institutions, including: “bank,” “banco,” “banc,” “banker,” “banque,” “savings and loan association,”“trust company,” “savings bank,” “credit union,” or other related words.
Register Your Missouri DBA ($7)
File a Missouri DBA Online through Missouri Corporations Portal or download the Assumed Business Name Application and send it to:
DBA Filing Through Mail:
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
DBA Filing In-Person:
Corporations Division
600 W. Main St., Rm. 322
Jefferson City, MO 65102
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The following information must include in the Missouri trade name form:
- Your business name and adress
- Owners/partners of the business and addresses
- Entity type (eg; LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)
- Trade name’s description
- Owner’s charter number if applicable
Renew, Change or Withdraw Your Missouri DBA
Renew Your Fictitious Name With the State ($7)
Certificate of Missouri Assumed Business Name expires after 5 years of your initial registration. So, for the renewal of DBA in Missouri, apply online or download the Assumed Name Renewal form and send it to:
DBA Filing Through Mail:
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
DBA Filing In-Person:
Corporations Division
600 W. Main St., Rm. 322
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Change Your Fictitious Name ($7)
If you wish to make changes in your Missouri assumed business name, you can do it by filling online or downloading the MO DBA Registration application and checking the amendment box. After completing the application, you need to send it to the address mentioned in the above section.
Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
You can cancel your Missouri assumed business name by filling the Cancellation Certificate of DBA application or applying online. There is no fee for canceling the Assumed Business Name registration.
