How to Look Up an LLC in Missouri? (A Complete Guide)

Published by Delina Chantel Yasmeh | Author

Last updated: January 15, 2025

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

Methodology
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Performing a business entity search is a crucial step when starting a business in Missouri to determine whether your preferred name is already in use by other business entities.

To determine the most efficient way to look up an LLC in Missouri, our team of business experts specializing in LLCs collaborated and conducted thorough research to guide you in conducting an effective search.

We also gathered some crucial tips and insights for conducting the search and choosing a name for your business.

Quick Summary

How To Look Up an LLC in Missouri?

To look up an LLC in Missouri, go to the state website and search by the following methods:

1. Use the Missouri State Search Tool

The Missouri online search option is one of the most effective methods. You can search by business name, registered agent, name availability, and charter number options.

To perform the search, do the following:

• Visit the Missouri Secretary of State website and click on the "Search" tab.
• Choose your preferred option from the drop-down menu in the search bar.
• You can opt to limit your search to active corporations.
• Explore the results page to find the business name, charter number, status, and registered agent information.
• Click on the desired business name or charter number to learn more about the company.

The information for Missouri LLC lookup contains details about the company, which includes:

• The business name
• Charter Number
• Type
• Status
• Formation date
• Registered agent name

You will also be able to access more details about the limited liability company, such as:

• Domesticity
• Home State
• Duration

The following search options allow you to customize your search for business entities in Missouri:

a. Select Business Name

Under the search tab, click "Business Name" and then enter the desired business name. You can simplify the work by choosing "Starting With," "Any Word," "All Words," or "Exact Match" options from the drop-down menu.

The "Any Word" option searches for a word that appears in the business name. To illustrate, if you are searching for a business named "Smith and Sons Plumbing," you can enter "smith," "sons," or "plumbing" to retrieve relevant results.

The "All Words" search will display businesses that contain all the words you entered in their names.

You can use the "Exact Match" option to show results for businesses whose names match what you typed in the search bar.

Once you have selected your preferred Missouri LLC name search option, you can click the "Search" button to view the results.

"Including inconsequential or filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and", "&", "of", or "or" does not contribute to distinctiveness."

- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter

b. Search by Registered Agent

The second option for a Missouri LLC name search is through its Missouri registered agent. To do this, you will need to select the "Registered Agent" drop-down menu and then type in the name of the registered agent you are searching for.

Once you click the Search button, a results list will populate below the search bar.

c. Name Availability Search in Missouri

The third option for a Missouri LLC name search is through name availability. To do this, you will need to select "Name Availability"  from the drop-down menu and then type in the business name that you are searching for.

If the LLC you're looking for doesn't appear in the search results, the name is likely available for you to use.

d. Search by Charter Number

The fourth and final option for a Missouri LLC name search is through its charter number [1]. To do this, you must select the "Charter Number" from the drop-down menu and then type in the charter number you are searching for.

2. Call The State

Other than using the search option, you can also contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office at (573) 751-4936. 

They will offer you immediate assistance, but you need to be aware of the information you're seeking.

3. Send An Email

If the process is not urgent or more demanding, emailing is ideal. For email inquiries, you can contact the office at [email protected].

How to Check If A Business Name Is Trademarked in Missouri?

According to the United States Sentencing Commission, copyright and trademark offenses have decreased by 56.1% since the 2017 financial year [2]. In Missouri, you can conduct thorough checks using federal and state resources.

1. Federal Trademark Check (Through the USPTO)

To conduct this check:

1. Access the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website.
2. Utilize the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to search for federal trademarks.
3. Conduct a comprehensive search by entering your proposed business name and exploring similar or identical trademarks.
4. Pay attention to various classes and categories to ensure a thorough examination.
5. The check assures your business name if no conflicting trademarks are found at the federal level.

2. State Trademark Check (SOS Website)

With this approach, you need to:

1. Visit the Missouri Secretary of State (SOS) website.
2. Navigate to the Business Services section or the Trademarks and Service Marks page.
3. Use the online search tool provided by the state to check for existing trademarks within Missouri.
4. Enter your desired business name and review the results for any matches or potential conflicts.
5. Consider variations in spelling, punctuation, and spacing during the search.
6. If there are no conflicting trademarks at the state level, it strengthens the case for your chosen business name within Missouri.

Reasons to Perform a Search

Performing an LLC look up in Missouri is essential for various reasons, such as: 

• Checking if the entity name complies with Missouri's naming regulations and does not infringe on existing businesses' trademarks or intellectual property.
• Verifying the legitimacy of an LLC by confirming its existence, status, and registration details with the Missouri Secretary of State.
• Making informed decisions regarding partnerships or collaborations by verifying their credibility and standing.
• Confirming if you're dealing with a legitimate and legally recognized entity before entering into contracts or agreements with an LLC.

Related Articles:

• How to Change a Name for an LLC in Missouri
• How to Dissolve an LLC in Missouri
• Top LLC Formation Services in Missouri
• How Much Does an LLC Cost in Missouri

FAQs

References:

1. https://dor.mo.gov/pdf/business_registration_checklist.pdf
2. https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/copyright-and-trademark-infringement