SOS Business Search

Missouri Secretary of State office — contact & fees

MO Corporations Unit Verified against official source Updated August 2026

Official Resource

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The Missouri Secretary of State's Corporations Unit registers all business entities, processes annual registration reports, and maintains public records. The main office is in Jefferson City, with branch offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. Documents submitted in person at the Jefferson City office can often be processed while you wait. Online filings save significantly compared to paper submissions — LLC formation costs $50 online versus $105 by paper.

This site is an independent, non-government business entity search directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state government or Secretary of State office. Always verify details directly with the official agency before filing or paying any fee.

Office contact

Main address (Jefferson City)
600 W. Main St., Room 322, James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Mailing address
Corporations Unit, P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone
(573) 751-4153
Toll-free
1-866-223-6535, Option 2
Email
corporations@sos.mo.gov
Office hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time
St. Louis branch
815 Olive Street, Suite 150 — (314) 340-7490
Kansas City branch
615 E. 13th Street, Suite 513 — (816) 889-2925
Springfield branch
149 Park Central Square, Suite 624 — (417) 895-6330
Online filing portal
bsd.sos.mo.gov

LLCs have no annual report requirement

Unlike Missouri corporations and nonprofit corporations, domestic and foreign LLCs are not required to file an annual or biennial registration report with the Secretary of State — there is no recurring SOS filing or fee to maintain an LLC's active status once it is formed. This is a meaningful difference from most neighboring states, where LLCs typically do have a recurring report.

Entity formation and filing fees

Fees below are from the Missouri Secretary of State's Schedule of Fees and Charges (PDF, revised January 2025). Online filings are substantially cheaper than paper for LLCs. For-profit corporation fees scale with authorized capital — the minimum applies to entities with $30,000 or less of authorized capital. Eligible corporations and nonprofits may file a biennial report (covering two years) instead of an annual report once the entity has an established filing history. Verify current amounts at sos.mo.gov before filing.

Domestic LLC — Articles of Organization

Fee (online / paper)
$50 online / $105 paper

Foreign LLC — Certificate of Registration

Fee (online / paper)
$105 (paper only)

Domestic Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation (≤$30,000 authorized capital)

Fee (online / paper)
$58

Foreign Corporation — Qualification Fee

Fee (online / paper)
$155

Profit Corporation — Annual Registration Report

Fee (online / paper)
$20 online / $45 paper

Profit Corporation — Biennial Registration Report

Fee (online / paper)
$40 online / $90 paper

Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee (online / paper)
$25

Nonprofit Corporation — Foreign Qualification Fee

Fee (online / paper)
$25

Nonprofit Corporation — Annual Registration Report

Fee (online / paper)
$10 online / $15 paper

Nonprofit Corporation — Biennial Registration Report

Fee (online / paper)
$20 online / $30 paper

Articles of Voluntary Dissolution / Certificate of Withdrawal

Fee (online / paper)
$25

Fictitious Name — Registration

Fee (online / paper)
$7

Name Reservation (most entities)

Fee (online / paper)
$25

Certificate of Good Standing

Fee (online / paper)
$10

Certificate of Fact

Fee (online / paper)
$25

Certified copy of business record

Fee (online / paper)
$10 online / $10 + 50¢ per page paper

For-profit corporation formation fees increase by $5 for each additional $10,000 of authorized capital above $30,000. Active duty military members (including National Guard) are exempt from all filing fees under Missouri's "Startup for Soldiers" program.

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

Beyond business entity filings, the Secretary of State also runs three other public-facing services:

  • UCC search and filing — a search costs $27 flat plus $1 per page for copies; paper filings run $17 plus $1 per page for attachments, electronic filings $10 plus a convenience fee.
  • Notary public commissions — a $25 application fee.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $10 per document.

Source: Missouri Secretary of State UCC fee schedule and notary/certification pages (sos.mo.gov).

Key Missouri state licensing agencies

Missouri Department of Revenue

What it covers
State tax registration, sales and use tax, withholding tax, Missouri Tax ID
Website
dor.mo.gov

Missouri Division of Employment Security (DES)

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, employer tax accounts, wage reporting

Missouri Division of Professional Registration

What it covers
Occupational and professional licenses — contractors, healthcare, real estate, cosmetology
Website
pr.mo.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Missouri LLCs have to file an annual report?

No. Unlike Missouri corporations and nonprofit corporations, domestic and foreign LLCs aren't required to file any annual or biennial registration report with the Secretary of State — there's no recurring SOS filing or fee to maintain an LLC's active status once formed.

Is it cheaper to form an LLC online in Missouri?

Yes — a domestic LLC's Articles of Organization cost $50 online versus $105 by paper, a substantial savings. Documents submitted in person at the Jefferson City office can often be processed while you wait.

Are active duty military exempt from Missouri business filing fees?

Yes. Active duty military members, including National Guard, are exempt from all filing fees under Missouri's 'Startup for Soldiers' program.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to Missouri — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Arkansas Business & Commercial Services Division Illinois Business Services Division Iowa Secretary of State Kansas Secretary of State Kentucky Secretary of State Nebraska Corporate Division

Helpful Guides

What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?

Every LLC and corporation is required to name one — here's what the job actually involves and who's eligible.

Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.

How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

Closing an LLC the right way means more than just walking away — here's the filing sequence every state expects.

LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

Both are formed with the same state office — the real differences show up in taxes, ownership, and how much paperwork you're signing up for.

Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.

LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

Registering an entity with the state isn't the same as holding a license to operate it — here's where licenses actually come from.

UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

Uniform Commercial Code filings show which lenders have a claim on a company's assets — here's how to search them and what the results mean.