In Missouri, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “fictitious name.” Registering a fictitious name allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal name. This can be beneficial for branding purposes or when expanding into new business areas.
For example, if you have an LLC called “Show-Me State Enterprises LLC” that you use for your general contracting business, but you want to start a separate home renovation service, you could register a fictitious name like “St. Louis Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a fictitious name provides business owners with flexibility in branding without the need to create separate legal entities for each business venture.
Note that while a fictitious name allows you to do business under a different name, it doesn’t provide the legal protections that come with forming an LLC or corporation.
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Do You Need a Missouri DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Missouri, determine if it’s necessary for your business type:
Sole Proprietors: If you’re a sole proprietor operating under a name other than your legal name, you need to register a fictitious name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Kansas City Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a fictitious name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a fictitious name. For instance, if “Show-Me State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “St. Louis Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this fictitious name.
How to Get a DBA in Missouri
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Missouri:
- Search the Missouri Secretary of State’s database to ensure your desired name is available.
- Check if your DBA is available as a domain name (optional).
- File your fictitious name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Missouri
Your fictitious name must be unique and comply with Missouri’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Missouri Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search:
https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/BESearch.aspx?SearchType=0
Ensure your chosen name isn’t already in use and meets state requirements.
Step 2: Check if your name is available as a web domain
While not legally required, it’s wise to check if your fictitious name is available as a domain name for your future website. You can check domain availability at: godaddy.com/domains
Tips for choosing a domain:
- Aim for a .com domain if possible
- Avoid using hyphens between words
- Consider adding relevant keywords (e.g., “missouri,” “stlouis”) if the exact match isn’t available
Step 3: Register your Missouri DBA
To register your fictitious name in Missouri, you need to file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Missouri Secretary of State. You can do this online through the Secretary of State’s website:
https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/LoginWelcome.aspx?lobID=1&ReturnURL=
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired fictitious name
- Your business’s legal name and address
- A brief description of the nature of your business
- The names and addresses of the business owners
Step 4: Pay the filing fee
The filing fee for registering a fictitious name in Missouri is $7. This fee can be paid online during the application process.
Missouri fictitious name registrations are valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiration to maintain the registration.
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- Only pay state filing fees
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After You Get a DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your fictitious name, consider these next steps:
- Create a website: Establish an online presence for your business to reach more customers.
- Set up a business bank account: Keep your personal and business finances separate. We recommend Mercury Bank for online banking, but traditional banks are also an option.
- Obtain necessary licenses and permits: Ensure you have all required licenses and permits to operate legally in Missouri.
- Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your fictitious name (DBA) in Missouri and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
