A fake name is a Missouri DBA (doing business as). Missouri fake name registration permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
Your personal assets will not be protected if you register a DBA in Missouri. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
In Missouri, you may register a fictitious name.
It is simple to register a Missouri fake name, commonly known as a DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.
If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to File a DBA in Missouri in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by doing a Missouri Fictitious Name Search.
Create a Missouri DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.
Step 1: Conduct a Missouri Fictitious Name Search.
To begin, go to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search and look up your new DBA name to ensure it is unique. When you register your Missouri fake name, you are effectively letting other company owners know that the name is in use. Your made-up name is not safe from being used by others.
Review the Missouri naming criteria next. In Missouri, fictitious names should NOT contain the following words:
Unless the company is genuinely an LLC, corporation, or etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc.
Any of the following phrases are used to describe financial institutions: “bank,” “banc,” “banco,” “banque,” “banker,” “trust company,” “savings and loan association,” “savings bank,” “credit union,” or other similar words.
Step 2. Register Your Missouri DBA
Your Missouri fake name may be filed online or by mail with the Secretary of State. You may either file online using the Missouri Corporations Online Portal or fill out the Registration of Fictitious Name form.
The form requires the following information:
Form of filing (registration, renewal, amendment, correction)
The registration of a name
Owners’ names and addresses
Owners’ charter number (if a commercial entity) (if a business entity)
A DBA does not provide legal protection for your personal assets if your company is sued. Visit our How to Form an LLC page and choose your state for additional information on forming a limited liability corporation.
Manage Your Missouri Fake Name
General Concerns
Call the Missouri Secretary of State at (866) 223-6535 for further information.
Renew Your Fake Name With the State
Your Missouri fake name will expire five years after it was registered. You may renew your fictitious name online or by filling out and sending the Registration of Fictitious Name form with the “Renewal” box ticked. The charge for renewal is $7.
Send the filled form to the following address:
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 778
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri
Alternatively, you may drop off the form in person at the office address shown below:
Division of Corporations
Rm. 322 at 600 W. Main St.
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri
Change Your False Name
Changes to your fictitious name registration may be made online or by completing this Registration of Fictitious Name form with the “Amendment” box marked. The cost is $7. Changes to the name or ownership are not permitted until a new registration is obtained.
Send the filled form to the following address:
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 778
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri
Alternatively, you may drop off the form in person at the office address shown below:
Division of Corporations
Rm. 322 at 600 W. Main St.
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri
Withdraw Your False Name
You may cancel your Missouri fake name registration online or by completing the Cancellation of Registration of Fictitious Name form. There is no charge to cancel your false name in Missouri.
Send the filled form to the following address:
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 778
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri
Alternatively, you may drop off the form in person at the office address shown below:
Division of Corporations
Rm. 322 at 600 W. Main St.
65102 Jefferson City, Missouri