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Whether you’re searching for the perfect business name or registering your LLC with the Missouri Secretary of State, Bizee can help. We have all the information you need to know on how to conduct a Missouri business search, plus LLC naming rules, fictitious names and registering your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of what state they're formed in.
Your LLC Name Must Be Unique
Your preferred business name cannot be used by any other LLC or formed entity in the State of Missouri. This is why it's highly important to perform a Missouri business entity search before you begin the filing process.
Your LLC Name Must Not Be Confusable with Another Business Name
Your LLC name should be unique, but that’s not enough. It also cannot be similar to the name of a corporation or LLC in Missouri. For example, you cannot use the following factors to say your name is different and distinguishable from the name of another business:
- Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc.
- Definite articles, such as “A,” “An” or “The”
- The conjunction "And" or “&"
- The singular, plural or possessive forms of words
- Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
Your LLC Name Must Contain Certain Words
All LLCs must have the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their names, normally at the end of the name.
Your LLC Name May Have Other General Restrictions
Most states will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:
- Are very similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Missouri Comptroller, Missouri Police, Treasury, etc.)
- Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
- Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
- Imply a purpose that would be illegal for your business to carry out
Specific Rules for Missouri Business Names
As mentioned above Missouri requires LLCs to comply with the general naming rules. The State of Missouri doesn't require any further naming rules to be met.
How to Come Up with a Business Name
Finding the perfect business name can be difficult. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Be memorable enough to stand out
- Appeal to your customers
- Best represent your product or services
- Not be used by another business
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free name generator.
Missouri Business Search
Once you have an idea of your preferred business name, you’ll need to perform a Missouri business entity search to make sure the name hasn’t been taken by another formed business.
Bizee offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The Missouri Secretary of State also has a tool that lets you search the State of Missouri business registry to see whether another formed business already has your desired business name.
Find Out Whether Your Preferred Business Name is Available in Missouri With Bizee’s Free Tool
Check Your LLC Name
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Missouri LLC name doesn’t infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to make sure your proposed business name doesn’t do that is to complete a trademark search through Bizee. If no one else is using it, you can even register it as a trademark yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Let Bizee run a trademark search for you.
Bizee’s Trademark and Registration Service
Missouri DBA or Fictitious Name
You may do business under a different name from your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), trade name or assumed name. In Missouri, it's called a fictitious name. You may decide to use a Missouri fictitious name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your business might be called Midwestern Marketing Solutions, LLC, and under that company, you have an event planning business called Midwestern Events. You could file for a fictitious business name just for that company. You'll need to register your fictitious business name with the Missouri Secretary of State using their online business portal, or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf through our DBA service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register and Manage a DBA Name Through Our Easy-To-Use Service
Get a DBA or Assumed Name
Register Your Business Name with the Missouri Secretary of State
Once you’ve completed a Missouri business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need a fictitious name, you can register your LLC name. There are a couple of ways to do this.
- If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name. You can reserve a business name with the Missouri Secretary of State. Your name will be reserved for 60 days once the application is processed. If you need a longer reservation period, a name reservation may be renewed or extended for two additional 60-day periods, for a total possible name reservation period of 180 days. If you’re forming your Missouri LLC right away, you won’t need to reserve a name.
- If you’re ready to start your LLC now, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State or have Bizee do it for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Missouri for You — and We’ll Do It For Free!
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FAQs about Missouri Business Names
How Do I Search for My Missouri Business Name?
Use our intuitive, free Business Name Search tool and enter your desired business name. You can also perform a Missouri business search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether there are any corporations or LLCs in the state with that name.
Are There Any Rules for Naming My Business in Missouri?
Yes. Most LLCs are bound by general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the State of Missouri). You'll find more information above.
Can I Do Business Under a Different Name Than My LLC Name in Missouri?
Yes. In Missouri, you can conduct business under a fictitious name. Details are above.
Can I Reserve a Name for My Missouri LLC?
Yes. The Missouri Secretary of State allows you to reserve a name for 60 days if you don’t want to start your business immediately. Details are above. If you’re ready to start your business now, you don’t need to reserve a name.
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