One of your first steps in starting an LLC in Missouri is choosing your business name.
Confirming your LLC name availability using the Missouri Taxable Entity Search tool is essential to that process, as it ensures your name is distinguishable from any other Missouri business.
Our “How to Do a Business Entity Search in Missouri” guide will show you how to find an available name, reserve it, avoid trademark infringement, and get a domain.
To form a Missouri LLC, you must choose a unique name that is available and not already registered with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Doing a business entity search is how you confirm your desired name’s availability.
Missouri State has naming guidelines (rules) you must follow when applying to reserve your business name and before filing your Articles of Organization.
The Missouri State naming guidelines include:
You can learn more about Missouri Business Naming Regulations on the Secretary of State’s website.
You search for available LLC names using the Missouri Business Registration Online Portal tool or the Missouri Taxable Entity Search on the Secretary of State website.
But before you do, here are some tips to help you get the best results:
Start by visiting the Missouri Taxable Entity Search or the Business Registration Online Portal to check if your chosen LLC name is available.
You can search for registered corporation and LLC names using the following criteria:
Search options include:
Select “business name,” enter your search query, and click search.
The search tool automatically selects “starts with.” If no names appear in the search results, search again using” exact match.”
You do not need to include an LLC designator, as the database will generate results relative to any names similar to your search name.
For my example, I will use the Missouri Fitness Club:
Your desired LLC name is available if the search results show no existing business names.
Missouri Fitness Club is available for use:
You can also use the Search for a Business Entity option.
For example, Club Fitness:
If your search query matches or is like existing entity names, it will appear in the search results. Club Fitness returns several results; click on the name closest to your search term for further information:
Here, you will see additional information about the business using your desired LLC name, including:
A fictitious name, or a Doing Business As (DBA), allows you to conduct business using a name other than your LLC’s official name.
Businesses often use fictitious names for branding and marketing when their official names don’t suit their niche and target audience.
You register a fictitious name by completing the online Missouri Fictitious Name Certificate and paying the $7 fee.
Missouri differs from most other US states because you must reserve your LLC name after confirming availability and before filing your Articles of Organization.
Other steps to consider are running a trademark search to avoid trademark infringement and buying a domain.
Missouri State requires you to file for a Name Reservation Certificate.
A name reservation costs $25, lasts 60 days, and can be extended to 180 days by applying 30 days before the reservation expires.
You can apply for a Missouri Name Reservation online or by mail.
You must conduct a trademark search before reserving your LLC name in Missouri because, even though it may be available, another business may have registered it as a trademark.
You can conduct a trademark search in two ways:
The trademark filing fee in Missouri is $55 per class” (“class” means services and goods).
Most businesses need a website where their prospects can review their products or services, check testimonials, book an appointment, or order goods.
Every website needs a domain matching the business, niche, and target audience.
Use a domain registrar website like GoDaddy to find and buy an available domain. If your name isn’t available as a .com, many options and strategies exist to create the perfect business domain.
You must conduct a business entity search in Missouri to ensure your desired LLC name is available and not in use by another entity; otherwise, the state will reject your application.
To confirm your name is available, use the Missouri Taxable Entity Search or the Business Registration Online Portal.
When searching for an available LLC name in Missouri, you can also phone the Missouri Secretary of State at (573) 751-4153 or email [email protected] for further assistance.
Name reservation in Missouri costs $25.
Missouri requires all businesses using a DBA to file a fictitious name application with the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.
The Missouri State naming guidelines include:
Now that you know how to do a business entity search in Missouri, you can confirm the availability of your desired name and reserve it for when you’re ready to form your Missouri LLC.
Don’t forget to do a federal and Missouri state trademark search to avoid disappointment and legal issues down the road, and buy the domain to begin creating your LLC’s branding and marketing campaign.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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