How to Register a DBA in Missouri (Step-by-Step Guide)

The first step to registering your DBA is to choose a name. Business names in Missouri do not need to be unique, but there are many benefits to having a unique name. There are some restrictions on what you can use in your name:

• Unless this is your business type, you cannot use any business entity suffix, such as Corp, LLC, etc.
• Many financial terms, such as bank, credit union, etc., are restricted and can only be used with the requisite license.

Once you have chosen a name that meets these rules, you can search for your name.

Your fictitious name can be filed online or by mail.

You can file online with the Missouri Corporations Online Portal or complete the Registration of Fictitious Name form.

The form is the same as the form to amend or renew, so you must tick the “New Registration” box.

The form will ask for basic information such as:

• Business name and address
• Owners name and address
• Charter number

• Your fictitious business name will expire five years after its registration date. You can renew it using the same form that you used to register the name, and you can also renew it online. Renewing costs $7.
• If you need to make changes to your DBA, for example, if you move locations or change ownership, you must amend the DBA. This can be done using the same form you used to register the name. Any changes you make will cost $7.
• If you want to withdraw your DBA, you can do this online at the Missouri business online portal or by filling in a withdrawal form.

• Missouri online business filing page
• Registration of fictitious name
• Withdrawal form
• Missouri step-by-step guide 

There are many advantages to registering a DBA: 

• Brand flexibility: A DBA name can be more versatile than a legal business name. It can be changed if needed, allowing businesses to adapt to product or market changes. A business owner can use multiple DBA names to market different products or services, which can help expand their reach and target new customers.
• Improved financial management: By opening a business bank account under a DBA name, business owners can use their business name on bank transactions, making it easier to keep one’s personal and business finances separate.
• Better marketing opportunities: A well-chosen name can be more memorable and descriptive than a legal name, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember the brand.
• Cost-effective option: Compared to other business structures, such as incorporating or forming an LLC, registering a DBA is often less expensive and more manageable, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

There are a few drawbacks to registering a DBA name:

• Limited legal protection: Unlike other business structures like Limited Liability companies or corporations, DBAs do not provide personal liability protection. The business owner is then personally responsible for all debts, obligations, and legal issues associated with the business. The business owner’s assets could be at risk if the company is sued.
• Legal and administrative burden: Using a DBA name requires registering the name with the relevant government agency, which can be time-consuming. The legal and administrative burden increases with multiple DBAs, requiring the owner to maintain and update legal documents periodically.

• Sole proprietors: Individuals who run a business independently without creating a separate legal entity can benefit from a DBA. It allows them to use a different name for marketing their products or services and adapt to market changes more easily.
• Partnerships: Joint ventures between two or more individuals who want to operate under a different name than the partners’ names can use a DBA to represent their partnership and increase brand recognition.
• Corporations: A business specializing in web design and development may file a DBA such as “Web Design Solutions” to differentiate its services from other web design businesses. Additionally, if a company has a subsidiary that offers recruitment services under the name “Casting Solutions LLC” but they also want to provide printing services, it can form a DBA named “Printing Services” to distinguish the two activities.
• Limited liability companies (LLCs): LLCs can file a DBA to conduct business under a different name or brand while enjoying the benefits of a flexible business structure that limits personal liability and protects assets

You would need a DBA if:

• You intend to operate your business under a name other than your or your company’s legal name.
• You want a trading name that is easier to market, remember, or describe your products or services.
• You are a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC and want to conduct business under multiple names.
• You want to test a new product or market without changing your legal name.

You may not need a DBA if:

• You are operating your business under your personal name or your company’s name.