Missouri LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in Missouri is $50, which covers the filing fee for your LLC formation document, known as the Articles of Organization.

However, the overall cost of establishing a Missouri LLC will vary depending on your specific business needs and choices.

In our Missouri LLC Cost guide, we've outlined all the potential costs associated with starting and maintaining an LLC in the state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Missouri LLC Cost 

Below is a table summarizing the essential steps for forming a Missouri LLC, along with their associated fees.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$50-$105
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$32+

Missouri LLC Filing Fee ($50-$105)

In Missouri, domestic LLCs (i.e., those based within Missouri) must file their Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, either online or by mail, while foreign LLCs need to submit an Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company instead.

The filing fees are as follows:

• Domestic LLCs: $50 for online submission, $105 for mail-in submission.
• Foreign LLCs: $105

If you choose to use an LLC formation service, the overall cost will be higher due to the additional service fee on top of the state’s filing fee.

LLC formation services can vary in cost but typically start at around $29, with costs increasing if you choose additional features.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024. 

Missouri Registered Agent ($0-$130+)

When submitting your Articles of Organization, you will need to appoint a registered agent. This individual or business entity is responsible for receiving legal, tax, and government correspondence on behalf of your Missouri LLC.

While you can serve as your own registered agent without any cost, it’s often advised to hire a professional service to avoid potential legal issues or penalties due to non-compliance with state regulations.

The annual fee for professional registered agent services typically starts around $130, though some providers may offer the first year of service for free as part of their LLC formation package.

Missouri LLC Name ($0-$32+)

While there is no direct fee for registering your LLC’s name, there are potential costs involved if you want to proactively secure the name or operate under a different one.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve selected a name but are not yet ready to form your LLC, you can reserve it by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Missouri Secretary of State. 

This process costs $25 and reserves the name for 60 days. You can extend the reservation for up to 180 days by filing additional name reservation applications.

Note: It’s advisable to confirm the availability of your desired business name by performing a Business Entity Search on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website before attempting to reserve it.

You should also ensure that your LLC name’s corresponding domain is available, as you will need this for your future business website. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If your business will operate under a name different from its legal name, you’ll need to file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Missouri Department of State. This is commonly known as a DBA name outside of Missouri. 

This process costs $7.

Note: Fictitious names must be renewed every five years by filing the same form and paying the fee again.

Optional Missouri LLC Formation Costs

Besides the aforementioned “standard” fees, there are a few additional costs that you may end up having to pay depending on your LLC’s unique circumstances and needs.  

Missouri LLC Operating Agreement

Missouri requires LLCs to have an operating agreement, as outlined in Revised Statutes Section 347.081.

This document specifies the roles and responsibilities of your LLC’s members or managers and can help prevent future disputes.

You can choose to draft your LLC’s operating agreement yourself at no cost, use an LLC formation service, or hire a business attorney. 

Keep in mind that even though the document is required by law, it does not need to be filed with the Secretary of State.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and industry, you may need to obtain a local license or permit in order to operate legally. 

For instance, all LLCs based in Branson are required to obtain a local business license, with fees ranging between $50 and $300 depending on the number of employees involved. 

Similarly, Jefferson City requires all LLCs to obtain a license before they can operate, unless exempted by law.

To determine what local licenses your LLC may need — as well as their associated costs — we recommend getting in contact with your local county and city officials.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Status (also known as a Certificate of Good Standing) is often required to open a business bank account or by lenders to verify that your LLC is legally registered in Missouri.

You can obtain this certificate by paying a $10 fee and submitting a request to the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division via mail, fax, email, or online. If mailed, there’s an additional $0.50 per page fee that will be applied. 

Keep in mind that requests made online are typically processed immediately.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your business’s documents, these can be obtained from the Missouri Department of State at a cost of $10 per document. 

Requests can be made online through the Business Registration Online Portal (recommended) or by mail.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Missouri LLC

After forming your LLC, you’ll likely have certain annual fees that you’ll need to pay in order to operate legitimately. 

We’ve broken down the two most common ones below (besides taxes). 

Missouri Sales and Use Tax Bond

Businesses in Missouri that plan to sell taxable goods or services must obtain a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue. While the license itself is free, you’ll need to get a sales and use tax bond that’s equal to three times your anticipated monthly sales tax liability.

The minimum fee for this bond is $25, and it must be renewed annually. If you fail to remit sales tax as required, the state can claim the amount from the surety company, which will then seek reimbursement from you.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost for such a service can vary significantly, but typically ranges between $125 and $300 per year.

As mentioned above, this is not required, but it is highly recommended for new business owners due to the benefits involved. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC Missouri Guide (DIY Approach)

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Missouri LLC vs Other States

Missouri is a competitive choice for forming an LLC, with a relatively low initial filing fee of $50 and an ongoing maintenance fee of at least $25. 

Even so, it’s important to note that the most important factor to consider when it comes to where you should form your LLC in is not the price, but where you will be located. 

This is because if you register your LLC in a foreign state, you will likely need to comply with more than one state’s regulations — which can be both expensive and time consuming.