Register a Foreign Nonprofit in Missouri

Free Guide to Registering a Foreign Nonprofit in Missouri

How do I register my foreign nonprofit corporation in Missouri?

You can register your nonprofit corporation in Missouri by filing a form called the Application for Certificate of Authority of a Foreign Nonprofit Corporation with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Corporation Division. You can submit the form by mail or by fax. If submitting via fax, you can pay with a credit card and simply put the card information on the cover sheet. Otherwise, you can pay with a check or money order.

What’s the cost to register a foreign nonprofit in Missouri?

The filing fee for a Certificate of Authority application is $25. You will also need to submit an initial report within the first 30 days of filing your Certificate of Authority (this can be done at the same time you file your Certificate of Authority). The initial report costs $25 to file.

How long does it take for Missouri to process a Certificate of Authority?

Mailed filings are usually processed within five to seven days of receiving them. Missouri also has regional offices to which you can send your completed Certificate of Authority applications. We recommend the Kansas City or St. Louis offices for faster process times.

Does Missouri require any paperwork from my home state?

Yes, Missouri does require a certificate of good standing no more than 60 days old from the nonprofit corporation’s state of origin.

Will I need a Missouri registered agent for my foreign nonprofit corporation?

Absolutely! When you hire Northwest as your registered agent in Missouri, you pay a flat rate yearly price of $125. You’ll have an online account that tracks your report due dates, which states you’re registered in, and when your yearly service with us is up. Plus, any documents we receive for you are uploaded into your account immediately.

If or when you get served with a lawsuit, we can email up to four 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 hidden 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.

Does the Missouri registered agent have to sign the Certificate of Authority?

No, your registered agent in Missouri does not have to sign the Certificate of Authority.

Are there ongoing annual reports and/or initial reports for foreign nonprofit corporations operating in Missouri?

Once you register as a Missouri nonprofit, the initial report is due in the first 30 days after the nonprofit files its Certificate of Authority. Thereafter, a foreign nonprofit needs to file a Missouri Annual Report by the end of its anniversary month each year. The cost to file each annual report is $25.

Additional Resources:

Missouri Charity Registration
Missouri Nonprofit Tax Exemptions

File your Certificate of Authority with:

Secretary of State
Corporation Division
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (866) 223-6535
Website: Secretary of State Corporations Unit