Register a Foreign Corporation in Missouri
To register a foreign corporation in Missouri, you must file a Missouri Application for Certificate of Authority with the Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations Division. You can submit this document online, by mail, or in person. The Application for Certificate of Authority for a foreign Missouri corporation costs $155 to file (plus a credit card processing fee if filing online). Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about how to file the Application for Certificate of Authority and register a foreign corporation in Missouri. Or, sign up for our Missouri Foreign Corporation service, and we’ll handle your filing instead!
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Download the Missouri Application for Certificate of Authority. Fill out the form and submit it to the state.
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$384 TotalFree Guide to Registering a Foreign Corporation in Missouri
What does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Missouri?
$155 for normal processing. There’s also a 2.15% credit card processing fee for online filings.
How long does it take for the state to process the Missouri Certificate of Authority?
Missouri accepts applications online, by mail, and in person. Processing times depend on your method of filing.
- Online: Missouri will process online flings in about 1 business day.
- Mail: Mailed filings will take the state about 3-4 weeks to process, plus additional time for mailing.
- In Person: While you wait.
How will I get verification of qualification back from Missouri?
A Verification Certificate and a copy of your filed documents will be returned to you by mail.
What forms do I file with Missouri to qualify my out of State Corporation?
The Application for Certificate of Authority form, Certificate of Good Standing and the filing fee are required.
What do I need from my home state?
A Certificate of Good Standing/Existence is required.
Does it need to be an original copy?
Not if you file by fax.
How current does the certificate need to be?
It needs to be current within 60 days.
Will I need an Missouri registered agent for my corporation?
Yes, when you hire Northwest as your Missouri registered agent, it’s a flat rate yearly price of $125 a year, you’ll have an online account that tracks your report due dates, which states your registered in, when your yearly service with us is up, and any documents we receive locally for you are uploaded into your account immediately for complete viewing. If or when you get served with a lawsuit, we can email up to 4 people and your attorney at the same time for real time complete viewing of a lawsuit. You’ll receive annual report reminders. It’s the same price every year, and there are no weird fees or cancellation fees.
You’ll also see all the pre-populated forms and specific filing instructions on the thank you page, in your online account, and they are emailed to you immediately upon signing up for 1 year of registered agent service.
Does the Missouri registered agent need to sign the filing?
No.
How can I file the Missouri Certificate of Authority?
By mail, fax or in person. If fax filing, you must include your credit card information including the expiration date and a contact name and phone number for any questions.
What is the state agency that accepts the out of state registration?
Missouri Secretary of State
Corporations Division
PO Box 778
600 West Main, Rm. 322
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (866)223-6535 or (573)751-4153
Fax: (573)751-5841
Do the signatures on the Missouri corporation application need to be original?
No.
Who has to sign the foreign corporation filing?
An officer or chairman as listed on the Missouri corporation application form must sign.
Are there any weird things about registering in Missouri?
County filing or publication is not necessary for foreign corporations, unless specifically required by the county in which your registered agent resides.
Are there ongoing Missouri annual report and/or initial reporting requirements?
Missouri annual reports are due in the same month of the filing by the last day of that month.
What are your fees?
You’ll need to have an Missouri registered agent. We charge $125 a year to act as your registered agent in Missouri. It’s a flat rate, once a year fee, and includes more than other registered agents. Here’s a little more about our registered agent service.
We charge a $100 one-time filing service fee if you would like us to obtain the certificates needed from your home state, and register your company in any state you choose. We have offices in every state and can act as your registered agent and make your filings for you in any state. If you would like to register with multiple states at once, we can usually drop our filing service fee down.
Additional Resources:
Missouri Tax
How to Withdraw a Foreign Corporation in Missouri