6 Things To Consider When Forming A Missouri DBA
Brad Smith • October 27, 2019
If you’ve wanted to start a business in Missouri, now is one of the best times to do so.
The “Show-Me State” came in sixth on Fit Small Business’s
ranking of best states to start a business. Factors such as cost of living and housing expenses contributed to the ranking.
What’s more, a 2017 CNBC and SurveyMonkey Small Business survey
boasted two Missouri cities—Springfield and St. Louis—on its list of the top 15 cities in America to start a business.
In this post, we’ll share what you need to consider when forming a Missouri DBA.
1. Choose A Business Type
We’ll get to what a DBA is and why it’s important.
First, though, one of the things you’ll want to do when starting a business in Missouri
is pick your business legal structure. What type of business you run has a whole host of implications, such as taxes, management, and more.
2. Pick A Name
When you pick a name for your Missouri business, that name “must be distinguishable from the name of any other foreign or domestic business entity registered” with the state.
Additionally, “every Missouri for-profit corporation must contain the word ‘corporation,’ ‘company,’ ‘incorporated,’ or ‘limited’ or end with an abbreviation of one of those words.”
This is why picking a business type is important.
3. The Name Must Be Fictitious
Missouri requires that any person or business entity doing business under a name other than their “true name” must register that name as a “fictitious name.”
A fictitious name
is also known as a DBA, an acronym that stands for “doing business as.”
The secretary’s office provides an example of a DBA:
“John Doe and Jane Smith may be the shareholders of Doe and Smith Ventures Inc., but operate a shop called John and Jane’s Coffee Shop. Doe and Smith Ventures Inc. must register the fictitious name under which it is doing business, John and Jane’s Coffee Shop.”
4. Know How To Register The Name
You can register your name online.
Or, register through postal mail
by filling out a form and paying a $7.00 filing fee.
5. Know What’s Protected Under A Fictitious Name
Your fictitious registration holds for five years and may be renewed at the end of the period.
However, your name is not protected. The Missouri SOS says that an infinite number of businesses can use the same name as you.
In order to protect your name, the Small Business Administration
says you will likely need to trademark it.
6. You Can Make Amendments
You may consider changing your name only by first canceling your existing fictitious registration and creating a new one.
You may also can change the address of the business or owner at the time of renewal.
The Missouri Secretary of State office is a tremendous resource in helping you understand how to form your Missouri DBA. Plus, as noted earlier, you’ve picked an excellent state in which to start a business.
Good luck in starting your Missouri business.
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