How to Start an LLC in Missouri (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Missouri, you file Articles of Organization, which is Form LLC 1, with the Missouri Secretary of State. It's $50 online, or $105 on paper.

Maya Is there a yearly filing after that?

Dan Here's the good news. Missouri LLCs file no annual report.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Missouri for 2026, in six steps, with what it costs, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where should we begin?

0:32 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name must include limited company, limited liability company, LLC, or L.C.

Maya Can I use corporation or incorporated?

Dan No. Corporation, incorporated, and limited partnership aren't allowed.

Maya And it has to be unique?

Dan It has to be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records. The Business Entity Search is free, so check there first.

Maya Can I hold a name while I get ready?

Dan Yes. A reservation is $25 and lasts 60 days. You can renew it twice.

1:08 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my agent?

Dan A Missouri resident, or a corporation authorized to do business in Missouri.

Maya Where does the agent's address come in?

Dan The agent's business office is your registered office.

Maya Can that be a P.O. box?

Dan Only alongside a street address.

Maya Is it all public?

Dan The agent's name and address are, yes. That's why many owners go with a commercial agent. And if you change agents later, it's $10.

1:36 Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Maya Where do I file?

Dan Online, through Missouri Business Filings. You submit Form LLC 1 and pay $50 by card, plus a small card convenience fee.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Nice to meet you, Maya. The form asks for quite a bit. The name, the purpose, your registered agent, and whether members or managers run the company.

Maya Anything else?

Dan How long the LLC lasts, and each organizer, who all sign.

Maya How fast is it?

Dan Many online filings are processed right after you submit.

Maya And on paper?

Dan It's $105. That's $55 more than online.

2:17 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Missouri want a copy of mine?

Dan No. You keep it with your records. It isn't filed with the state.

Maya But I do need one?

Dan Missouri law says members shall adopt one. So write it down.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:39 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What's the federal step?

Dan An EIN, free, from the IRS at IRS.gov. Wait until the Secretary of State has filed your Articles.

Maya How quickly do I get it?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S. companies.

3:09 Step 6: No annual report, but stay current

Maya So what keeps a Missouri LLC in good standing?

Dan Keeping your registered agent in place. There's no annual report and no yearly Secretary of State fee.

Maya That's rare, isn't it?

Dan It's a real perk. But there's one more thing to watch.

Maya Taxes?

Dan Yes. If you sell taxable goods or services, or you have employees, register with the Department of Revenue for sales tax or withholding.

3:35 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself total.

Dan $50 to form online, plus that small card fee.

Maya And after that?

Dan Nothing to the Secretary of State. No annual report fee.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya Any optional costs?

Dan A $25 name reservation, and $10 to change your agent.

Maya So what's the all-in first year?

Dan $50 plus the card fee. If you add both extras, it's $85 plus the card fee.

4:07 Online or paper

Maya Compare the two ways to file for me.

Dan Online is $50. Paper is $105.

Maya So paper costs $55 more.

Dan And it's slower, because many online filings are processed right after submission.

Maya Is there any reason to choose paper?

Dan Nothing in the numbers. Online costs less, and the small card fee doesn't change that.

4:30 Choosing your registered agent

Maya Let me push on the agent. Why not just list myself?

Dan If you live in Missouri, you can. A Missouri resident qualifies.

Maya What's the downside?

Dan Your name and address go on the public record.

Maya And with a commercial agent?

Dan Their office is the registered office, so your home doesn't have to be.

Maya What if I want a P.O. box?

Dan Pair it with a street address. The box alone doesn't work.

4:54 What the form asks for

Maya Take me through Form LLC 1.

Dan The name and the purpose come first. Then your registered agent.

Maya And management?

Dan You say whether members or managers run the LLC, and how long it lasts.

Maya Who signs?

Dan Each organizer. Everyone listed signs.

Maya It sounds like a few decisions to make before I log in.

Dan Exactly. Settle those first, and the online filing goes quickly.

5:19 Taxes beyond the EIN

Maya Does the EIN cover my state taxes?

Dan Not entirely. If you sell taxable goods or services, you register with the Department of Revenue for sales tax.

Maya And with employees?

Dan Withholding registration, also with the Department of Revenue.

Maya Is this a Secretary of State step?

Dan No. It's separate from your Articles, and it only applies if you sell taxable goods or have staff.

5:44 What no annual report means

Maya Let me press on the no annual report part. Is nothing ever due?

Dan Nothing to the Secretary of State on a schedule. No annual report, and no yearly fee.

Maya So what do I keep up?

Dan Your registered agent.

Maya And the cost of staying formed?

Dan The state side is zero after the first $50.

Maya That makes the comparison with a service simple.

Dan It does. You're really paying a service for the agent and the filing work.

6:11 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent. File Form LLC 1 online for $50. Write your operating agreement and get your EIN.

Maya And after that?

Dan Register with the Department of Revenue if you need to, and keep your agent current.

6:29 The 3 best ways to file in Missouri

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else handle it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Missouri. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $50 state fee, checkout comes to $249.

Maya What does that cover?

Dan Your Form LLC 1 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya Number two?

Dan MO Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $249 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Missouri Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I decide?

Dan Missouri has no annual report. So from year two, numbers two and three cost less, at $99 a year for the agent alone, against $199 a year for Mainstay.

7:39 Three years of service fees

Maya Show me the three-year math.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 difference.

Dan Yes. With Mainstay, it buys you a registered agent at one flat price that renews the same.

8:04 Recap

Maya Can I hear the whole thing once more?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Missouri street address, file Form LLC 1 online for $50, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and keep your agent current. There's no annual report.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Missouri LLC.