Jake Lawson here. Missouri keeps LLC name changes simple and affordable—just $25 and some paperwork. But the real work happens after the state approves your change. Here’s how to rebrand your LLC properly without creating a compliance nightmare.
Missouri’s Straightforward Approach
The good news: $25 filing fee, no complicated requirements, unlimited name changes allowed.
The reality: Mail-only filing (no online option yet), 3-4 week processing time.
The follow-up work: Updating banks, IRS, state tax department, and everywhere else your LLC name appears.
My take: Missouri doesn’t make name changes difficult or expensive. The challenge is managing all the post-approval updates without missing anything important.
When LLC Name Changes Make Business Sense
Good Reasons to Change Names:
- Rebranding for growth (outgrowing your original concept)
- Removing personal names when bringing in partners
- Professional evolution (consultant becomes full-service agency)
- Market positioning (better reflecting what you actually do)
- Legal issues (avoiding trademark conflicts)
Poor Reasons to Change Names:
- Minor partner disputes (expensive way to make a point)
- Impulse rebranding (without considering all the work involved)
- Avoiding creditors (won’t work—they can track entity changes)
- Following trends (trendy names become dated quickly)
Jake’s reality check: Make sure the name change serves a real business purpose. The process isn’t difficult, but it’s time-consuming enough that you want to get it right.
Step 1: Verify Your New Name is Available
Missouri’s Name Search Process
Before spending $25 on filing fees, confirm your desired name isn’t already taken using Missouri’s Business Entity Search.
Search strategies:
- Try exact name first
- Search without “LLC” designator
- Test similar variations to avoid conflicts
- Check for confusingly similar existing names
Required Designators
Your new name must include one of these endings:
- LLC (most popular and professional)
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Company
- Limited Liability Co.
My naming recommendation: Stick with “LLC” unless you have specific branding reasons for alternatives. It’s universally recognized and professionally acceptable.
Step 2: Preparing Your Amendment Form
Required Information
Before starting the Amendment of Articles of Organization form, gather:
- Current LLC name (exactly as filed with Missouri)
- Charter number (found via business entity search)
- New desired name (with proper designator)
- Member/manager signature authority
Finding Your Charter Number
- Go to Missouri Business Entity Search
- Enter your current LLC name
- Locate your business in results
- Note the Charter Number (starts with “LC” + digits)
Key Form Sections
Effective Date: Leave blank for immediate effect upon approval, or specify future date (up to 90 days)
Date of Occurrence: When members voted to approve change (can be informal agreement)
Amendment Text: “The name of the limited liability company is amended. The new legal name is: [Your New Name LLC].”
Step 3: Filing Your Amendment by Mail
Required Documents
- Completed Amendment of Articles of Organization
- Check or money order for $25 payable to “Missouri Secretary of State”
- Return address clearly indicated on form
Mailing Address
Missouri Secretary of State
Corporations Division
PO Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Processing Timeline
Mail delivery: 2-3 days typically
State processing: 3-4 weeks
Return mail: 2-3 days
Total timeline: 4-5 weeks from mailing to receiving approval
Jake’s mailing tip: Use certified mail with tracking. It’s worth the extra few dollars to know your documents arrived safely.
Step 4: The Post-Approval Update Marathon
Critical First Updates (Do These Immediately)
IRS Notification
Process: Send letter to IRS with:
- Old LLC name and EIN
- New LLC name and effective date
- Copy of approved Missouri amendment
- Your signature and contact information
Mailing address varies by your location (check IRS Form 8822-B instructions)
Missouri Department of Revenue
Purpose: Update state tax records
Methods: Online, phone, or mail
Contact: Check Missouri DOR website for current procedures
Business Bank Account
Required documents: Approved amendment, EIN confirmation, photo ID
Timeline: Usually same-day update
Impact: Critical for check processing and account access
Second-Tier Updates (Complete Within 30 Days)
Financial Institutions
- Business credit cards
- Lines of credit or loans
- Merchant payment processors
- Accounting software (QuickBooks, etc.)
Professional Services
- Registered agent (if using commercial service)
- Accountant or bookkeeper
- Business attorney
- Insurance providers
Licensing and Permits
- Professional licenses (if applicable)
- Local business permits
- Sales tax permits
- Industry-specific licenses
Step 5: Comprehensive Business Updates
Online Presence
- Website and domain registration
- Social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Online marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Etsy)
- Google Business Profile
Marketing Materials
- Business cards and letterhead
- Promotional materials
- Contracts and proposal templates
- Email signatures
Legal Documents
- Operating Agreement (update and re-sign)
- Vendor contracts
- Employment agreements
- Lease agreements (notify landlord)
Organization strategy: Create a spreadsheet tracking every place your LLC name appears. Check items off as you complete updates to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Common Missouri Name Change Mistakes
Mistake #1: Filing Without Confirming Availability
Problem: $25 wasted on rejected filing
Solution: Always search availability first
Cost: Additional filing fee and delays
Mistake #2: Forgetting Required Designator
Problem: “Smith Consulting” instead of “Smith Consulting LLC”
Solution: Double-check your new name includes proper ending
Impact: Filing rejection and restart
Mistake #3: Rushing the IRS Notification
Problem: Filing IRS letter before Missouri approves change
Solution: Wait for Missouri approval before contacting IRS
Impact: Confusion and potential processing delays
Mistake #4: Incomplete Financial Institution Updates
Problem: Missing credit cards or merchant accounts
Solution: Review all financial relationships systematically
Impact: Payment processing problems and customer confusion
Timeline Management Strategy
Week 1-2: Preparation and Filing
- Verify name availability
- Complete amendment form
- Mail to Missouri Secretary of State
Week 3-6: Waiting Period
- Prepare update checklists
- Gather required documents for updates
- Plan implementation sequence
Week 6-8: Immediate Updates
- IRS notification
- Missouri Department of Revenue
- Primary bank account
- Critical business operations
Week 8-12: Comprehensive Updates
- All financial institutions
- Professional services
- Marketing materials
- Legal documents
Operating Agreement Updates
Why It Matters
Your Operating Agreement should reflect your current legal name for consistency and legal clarity.
Update Options
Simple approach: Create new signature page with updated name
Comprehensive approach: Full Operating Agreement revision with current name throughout
Required Elements
- Updated LLC name throughout document
- All members sign updated version
- Date the updated agreement
- Distribute copies to all members
Best practice: Use the name change as an opportunity to review and update other Operating Agreement provisions that may need attention.
Cost Analysis: DIY vs. Professional Help
DIY Approach ($25-50 total)
- Missouri filing fee: $25
- Certified mail: $5-10
- Document copies: $5-10
- Your time: 10-15 hours over 6 weeks
Professional Assistance ($150-300 total)
- Service fee: $119-250
- Missouri filing fee: $25
- Additional services: $50-100
- Your time: 2-3 hours coordination
When Professional Help Makes Sense
- Multiple LLCs requiring name changes
- Complex business relationships
- Limited time for managing updates
- Unfamiliarity with government processes
My recommendation: DIY the Missouri filing (it’s straightforward), but consider professional help for coordinating the post-approval updates if your business has complex relationships.
Multi-State Considerations
If You’re Registered in Other States
Each state requires separate name change filings. Missouri’s approval doesn’t automatically update:
- Foreign LLC registrations in other states
- Professional licenses in other jurisdictions
- Multi-state tax registrations
Coordination Strategy
- Complete Missouri change first
- Use Missouri approval as supporting documentation for other states
- Budget additional time and fees for each jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
“Can I change my Missouri LLC name online?”
No. Missouri still requires mail filing for amendments. Online filing may be available in the future, but not currently.
“How many times can I change my LLC name?”
Unlimited. Missouri doesn’t restrict the number of name changes, as long as you pay the $25 fee each time.
“Do I need a new EIN after changing names?”
No. Keep your existing EIN and simply notify the IRS of the name change. Getting a new EIN creates unnecessary complications.
“What if my new name conflicts with a trademark?”
Consult an attorney. Missouri’s availability search only checks state registrations, not federal trademarks or common law rights.
The Bottom Line: Plan for the Follow-Up Work
Missouri makes the legal name change simple and affordable. The real challenge is managing all the business updates that follow.
My systematic approach:
- Verify availability thoroughly before filing
- Plan your update strategy while waiting for approval
- Prioritize critical updates (IRS, taxes, banking) first
- Use systematic checklists to avoid missing important updates
- Allow 6-8 weeks for complete implementation
Budget realistically: While Missouri only charges $25, expect to invest 10-15 hours in the complete process if doing it yourself.
Need help with other Missouri LLC requirements? Check out my complete Missouri formation guide and compliance checklist. I’ve guided over 1,200 entrepreneurs through U.S. business formation—including helping them navigate rebranding decisions that actually serve their business goals.
Jake Lawson
LLC Formation Strategist
Independent. Unbiased. No upsells. Ever.
P.S. Missouri’s $25 name change fee is among the lowest in the nation. If you’re going to rebrand, Missouri makes it affordable to get it right.