Missouri Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Missouri's official Secretary of State business entity database (Missouri Secretary of State Business Database (sos.mo.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Missouri. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Missouri Business Database
Direct link to Missouri Secretary of State Business Database - Free Missouri business search
How to Search Missouri Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Missouri SOS Website
Navigate to the official Missouri Secretary of State business entity search portal at sos.mo.gov/business. You can also access it through sos.mo.gov/business/corporations for corporation-specific searches. This is the free, government-operated database for all Missouri business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), charter number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Missouri businesses. You can search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Missouri's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching for more flexible results.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and charter number. Click on a result to view detailed information. Missouri's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, charter number, and filing history including annual reports and amendments. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Dissolved', 'Merged', 'Withdrawn', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings and annual reports. Missouri requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official Missouri Business Database
The Missouri Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Missouri Secretary of State Business Database (sos.mo.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Missouri.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Missouri
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Missouri?
To search for a Missouri business, visit the official Missouri Secretary of State business entity search portal at sos.mo.gov/business. You can search by business name, charter number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in Missouri.
What is the official Missouri Secretary of State business search website?
The official Missouri Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at sos.mo.gov/business. You can also access corporation-specific searches at sos.mo.gov/business/corporations. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Missouri, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Missouri SOS business database?
The Missouri SOS database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, charter number, and filing history including annual reports and amendments.
Is the Missouri business search free?
Yes, the Missouri Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at sos.mo.gov/business provides free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Missouri business is legitimate?
To verify a Missouri business, search the SOS database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history, check the charter number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Missouri SOS database for verification.
Can I search Missouri businesses by owner name?
The Missouri SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, charter number, or registered agent name. To find businesses by owner name, you may need to search by the business name if the owner is listed as an officer or director in the entity details, or use the registered agent search function.
What types of business entities are registered in Missouri?
Missouri registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Missouri. All of these can be searched through the official database at sos.mo.gov/business.
How do I check if a business name is available in Missouri?
To check if a business name is available in Missouri, use the official business search at sos.mo.gov/business. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Missouri Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. Missouri requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is the difference between Missouri SOS business search and local business license searches?
The Missouri Secretary of State business search (sos.mo.gov/business) shows state-level business entity registrations (corporations, LLCs, partnerships). Local business license searches (like St. Louis business license search) show city or county-level business licenses and permits. Both may be needed to fully verify a business's legitimacy and compliance.
How often do Missouri businesses need to file annual reports?
Missouri requires most business entities to file annual reports to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file annual reports with the Missouri Secretary of State. Check the entity's detailed information in the database to see filing history and status.
About Missouri Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Missouri SOS Business Search?
The Missouri Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Missouri. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in MO.
When you search "secretary of state mo business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Missouri businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Missouri SOS Database?
The official Missouri Secretary of State database (Missouri Secretary of State Business Database (sos.mo.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Missouri. Always verify business entities through the official MO SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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