How to Do a Missouri Business Name Search
Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your Missouri LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. Searching the Missouri business entity database is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.
Our Missouri LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability in Missouri, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.
How Do I Look Up an LLC in Missouri? (Summary)
To search for a business name availability in the state of Missouri, follow these steps:
- Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s Business Services page at https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations. Search the Missouri Taxable Entity Search or the Business Registration Online Portal to check if your chosen business name is available.
- Click on the “Business Entity Search” link under the “Business Services” section.
- Enter the desired business name in the “Entity Name” field and click “Search.”. You can search by Missouri Charter Number if you want.
- If the name is available, the search results will display “No Records Found” or “Available” next to the name. If the name is not available, the search results will display a list of similar or conflicting names.
- If you want to register the name, you can proceed with the business registration process by following the instructions provided on the website.
Missouri Secretary of State (Contact)
Mailing Address
Missouri Secretary of State, Business Services
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0778
Physical Address
Secretary of State, Business Services
600 W. Main St.
Missouri State Information Center, Room 322
Jefferson City, MO 65101-0778
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: corporations@sos.mo.gov
Phone: (573) 751-4153
Additional Steps
1. Trademark Search
When searching for a business name, it’s important to note that availability doesn’t necessarily mean the name is free to use if it’s already a registered trademark.
To avoid potential complications down the line, it’s wise to conduct a thorough trademark search using the Trademark Electronic Search System before finalizing a business name.
2. Choose a Registered Agent
After you have chosen an LLC name that is distinctive and unique, you can now choose your LLC’s Registered Agent.
3. Check if the Domain Name is Available
To check if a domain name is available, you can follow these steps:
- Go to a domain registrar website, such as GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com.
- In the search bar on the homepage, type in the domain name you want to check.
- Click on the search button to see if the domain name is available or not.
- If the domain name is available, you will be prompted to purchase it. If it’s not available, the registrar will suggest some alternative options or you can try a different domain name.
4. Check if Social Media Name is Available
Check if a social media name is available for a new business name
5. Register Missouri Business Entity
When you complete the required documents for filing a new business entity, you then register your business and business name with the state. The state of Missouri will either approve your business name or reject it.
If you hire a good LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness or Bizee, these LLC services have business name tools available for you to do a quick search.
6. Register an Employer ID Number (EIN) With the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify businesses and other entities for tax purposes.
7. Create a Brand Logo
Creating a business logo involves several steps. There are affordable online services that can design a logo for you and assist with the process.
Define your brand: Before you start creating a logo, you need to define your brand’s personality, values, and mission. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents your brand.
8. Write a Business Plan
Writing a business plan involves a comprehensive process that covers various aspects of your business, including the industry, market research, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and more.
9. Open a Business Bank Account in Missouri
A bank account is generally required for a new Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation to separate personal finances from business finances and to establish a clear record of business transactions.
Search the database for Missouri business entities to find out if the name that you are looking for is available.
When you search for a name, do not include the “LLC”. The database doesn’t care about punctuation and case-sensitive searches. You can come up with new words and phrases if the name you are looking for is already taken.
The name you are looking for for your LLC is most likely already available in the Missouri database. A name that contains geographical words could limit your company’s ability expand or relocate, but you don’t have to change it.
Missouri LLC Registered Agent
Once you’ve completed the search and have chosen a unique name for your LLC, you can choose the registered agent. A registered agent and registered office are required to file the LLC creation documents. Once you have selected the LLC registered agent, you can complete the required forms.
As P.O., you must provide a street address for your LLC’s registered office in the state where it will be operating. Boxes are not accepted. The registered agent of your LLC can be either an individual or a company that is willing to receive legal documents on behalf the company.
The registered agent should:
- Available during business hours.
- Anybody you know, even a close friend, can act as a registered agent. As long as they accept the responsibility for the LLC,
- The registered agent must accept the “Service of Process,” which refers to the delivery of legal mail and documents to the LLC.
- The registered agent of the LLC can be you. You must sign the forms and take responsibility for the task by choosing yourself.
Referenceshttps://missouribusiness.net/article/business-name |
