How to Change Your Missouri Business Name

How to Get a New Business Name

Changing a business name in Missouri requires several steps both before and after the actual amendment occurs. Knowing these will help you stay compliant and make the process smoother. 

1) Choose a new business name

Missouri has specific naming guidelines for both limited liability companies and corporations. For corporations in Missouri, your business name must include the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” or “limited.” An abbreviation of one of these terms is acceptable. 

LLC naming stipulations are similar. Your business name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.). The name cannot be confusing or misleading.

The name you choose can’t already be used or be too similar to names already in use or reserved. Use our Business Name Checker to make sure when you change a business name in Missouri that it is a name you can use. We can even help you Reserve Your Business Name so no one snags it before you can file your paperwork. 

2) Gather information for filing your amendment

There are a few pieces of information you will need in order to file your LLC Amendment of Articles of Organization or Corporation Amendment of Articles of Incorporation.

It may be appropriate to file a Statement of Correction Form in some cases. This process is typically used for minor errors in your company’s initial articles. 

• The current name of your business
• Business charter number
• The effective date of the name change
• Exact text of the amendment (name change)
• A return mailing address
• Authorized signatures
• Information on votes and shares (if applicable) 
• Filing fee

Depending on the terms in your Operating Agreement or Corporate Bylaws, be sure to adhere to conditions regarding member or shareholder votes on the amendment. 

3) File your Missouri amendment

Submit the completed amendment form to the Secretary of State. You can file by fax, mail, or in person. Or, you can have us do this for you. 

You will also have to include the filing fee. Processing takes 4-7 business days for faxed and mailed documents. In-person amendments are processed in 1-2 business days. 

After You Change Your Business Name

Filing the amendment is a big step when going through the process of changing a business name in Missouri, but there is still more to do. Now you have to let everyone know about the change. This includes: 

• Missouri Annual or Biennial Report: When you file this report, update it with your business name change in Missouri.  
• Fictitious Business Name (DBA): If you are operating under a fictitious business name, update the documents with the Secretary of State. 
• EIN and State Tax Identification: Update your business name with the IRS so it is associated correctly with your Employer Identification Number. Also, update the state so that your state ID matches.
• Business Licenses: Missouri does not have a general business license. But be sure to update any federal, state, or local business licenses or permits. 
• Business Accounts: Update company financial accounts with your new legal name, including your company bank account. 
• Marketing Materials: Let your customers know about the change. Update marketing collateral, advertisements, labels, and anything else that displayed your old name. 

When you change a business name in Missouri, you should also let your business partners and vendors know about the change. This could make a difference in how checks are written, invoice descriptions are written, and contracts are drawn up, to name a few. 

We can help with your name change and more

Running a business can get overwhelming, and it may be worth it to take the help where you can get it. Now that you know how to change a business name in Missouri, you can decide where you want to do it yourself or let us handle that for you. 

You already have plenty to think about. Our Worry-Free Compliance Service can help relieve some of that pressure and keep you on track. This service also includes two annual amendments. And if you’re still in the early stages of the formation of your business and don’t have an entity formed yet, our Missouri LLC and Missouri Corporation Formation Services can get you up and running fast.