Assumed-Name (DBA) Registration Requirements in Missouri

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Who files

Section 417.200 defines a fictitious name as one other than a person's true name. Under § 417.210.1, a person, general partnership, corporation, or other business organization doing business under such a name must file. A partnership or other entity formed to practice a licensed profession is not treated as engaged in business for this section (§ 417.210.6). The Act's two filing-time phrases require care, as explained below.

Term, renewal, and ownership changes

A registration remains active for five years. Renewal must be filed in the six months before expiration and continues the registration for another five years (§ 417.210.7, § 417.210.9, § 417.210.10). Once it expires, the Secretary of State directs a new registration with a new charter number. An owner or business-interest change calls for cancellation within five days (§ 417.210.4). The filing identifies every owner; exact ownership interests are required when an owner may claim not to be jointly and severally liable (§ 417.210.3 and § 417.210.5).

Fee and scheduled sunset

The statutory base fee is $2 (§ 417.220). Section 417.018 authorizes an extra $5 through December 31, 2026, and the Secretary of State's current form states a $7 filing fee. The extra-fee section says its provisions “shall expire on December 31, 2026”; without another enactment, the statutory total would be $2 after that date. HB 2125 proposed an extension but did not pass the Senate in 2026.

What trips people up

The timing language in § 417.200 and § 417.210.1 differs: the first bars business under the name “without first registering,” while the second directs filing “within five days after” beginning business under it. Filing before use satisfies both phrases; do not treat the five-day direction as permission to ignore § 417.200. The current form also warns that registration gives “no protection” to the name and does not keep someone else from using it.

Common questions

What information goes in the filing? The fictitious name, physical business address, and every owner's name and residence or business address (§ 417.210.3). The exact ownership-interest condition is described above.

Is there a military fee waiver? Section 417.220.2 waives its fee if an owner resides in Missouri, serves in the Missouri National Guard or other active-duty military, and gives the Secretary of State proof of service.

Statutes and sources

• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 417.200 — “it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in or transact any business in this state under a fictitious name without first registering same with the secretary of state as herein required.” https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.200 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 417.210 — “A renewal filing continues the effective registration of the fictitious name for five years after the date the effective registration would otherwise expire.” https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.210 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 417.220 — “For the registration or renewal of each fictitious name under sections 417.200 to 417.230 there shall be paid to the state director of revenue a fee of two dollars”. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.220 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 417.018 — “The provisions of this section shall expire on December 31, 2026.” https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.018 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Mo. Rev. Stat. § 417.230 — “Any person who shall engage in or transact any business in this state under a fictitious name, as in sections 417.200 to 417.230 defined, without registering such name as herein required, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.” https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.230 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Missouri Secretary of State, Corp. 56 — “This information is for the use of the public and gives no protection to the name being registered.” https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/corp56.pdf?v=2 (accessed 2026-09-26).
• Missouri Secretary of State, Fictitious Name FAQ — “Once expired, the business must file a new fictitious name registration; upon filing the new registration, the business will be issued a new charter number.” https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/fictitious_faq (accessed 2026-09-26).