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Missouri Secretary of State

How Much Does a Corporation Cost in Missouri?

Forming a corporation in Missouri means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Missouri Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type
LLCCorporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

First-year government fees — Missouri Corporation

$58

First-year government fees for a Missouri Corporation: $58

Official state fees

Articles of Incorporation (includes minimum organization fee)$58

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual registration report feeDue each year by the end of the month in which the corporation was incorporated, beginning the year after incorporation$20 / yr

≈ $20/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$138
Estimated total (5 yrs)$138

Varies by business — excluded from totals

  • Additional organization fees for large authorizations. Corporations authorizing more than $30,000 of shares pay a higher one-time organization fee at formation.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Missouri, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Missouri Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Articles of Incorporation (includes minimum organization fee)

Minimum online fee, covering up to $30,000 of authorized shares; the organization fee scales with authorized capital.

$58One-timeOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — Missouri Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Annual registration report fee

Online fee; paper filings cost $45.

$20AnnualDue each year by the end of the month in which the corporation was incorporated, beginning the year after incorporationOfficial state fee
Additional organization fees for large authorizations

Corporations authorizing more than $30,000 of shares pay a higher one-time organization fee at formation.

VariesConditionalOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through the Missouri Business Registration portal or by mail.

Processing options for Missouri Corporation filings
OptionTypical turnaroundAdded feeNotes
Standard processing0–5 business daysNoneOnline filings are processed immediately to within a few days

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Missouri Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Missouri

  • Missouri LLCs have no annual report at all — a one-time $50 online formation is the entire fixed state cost.
  • Missouri's paper filing fee ($105) is more than double the online fee ($50), one of the largest online discounts anywhere.

Missouri Corporation cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Missouri?

The Missouri Secretary of State charges $58 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in Missouri?

Missouri corporations generally must pay the annual registration report fee of $20 per year (due each year by the end of the month in which the corporation was incorporated, beginning the year after incorporation). In addition, additional organization fees for large authorizations may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

How long does it take to form a corporation in Missouri?

Online filings are often processed the same day. Missouri does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in Missouri?

Yes. Every Missouri corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the Missouri additional organization fees for large authorizations work for corporations?

Corporations authorizing more than $30,000 of shares pay a higher one-time organization fee at formation. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

  • Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
  • Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
  • Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
  • Whether a corporation — or Missouri — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Missouri Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Missouri data last verified July 12, 2026.

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