Missouri Articles of Incorporation

Missouri articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

• Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
• Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
• Provides governance and adds credibility

Fast Facts

For Domestic Corporations:

Agency:	Missouri Secretary of State - Corporations Division
Form:	Articles of Incorporation of a For Profit Corporation (Corp. 41)
Filing Method:	Mail, fax or online.
Agency Fee:	$58 for up to $30,000 authorized shares. $5 additional for every $10,000 or authorized shares over $30,000.
Turnaround:	~1-3 days by fax. ~4-7 business days by mail.
Law:	23 MO Stat. § 351
Original Ink:	Required
Notes:	You must submit original signatures. Consider optional provisions There is a discounted fee for corporations formed by active duty military

For Domestic Close Corporations:

Agency:	Missouri Secretary of State - Corporations Division
Form:	Articles of Incorporation for a Close Corporation (Corp. 41C)
Filing Method:	Mail, fax or online.
Agency Fee:	$58 for up to $30,000 authorized shares. $5 additional for every $10,000 or authorized shares over $30,000.
Original Ink:	Required

Other Helpful Missouri Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Missouri.

Missouri Directors

• Number: One or more required.
• Qualifications: None.
• Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporation fixes a different number. No less than one third.

Missouri Officers

• President and secretary required.

Missouri Bylaws

• Required: No.

Missouri Annual Shareholder Meeting

• Required: Yes.
• Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

Missouri Shareholders

• Qualifications: N/A
• Stock Certificate: Required.
• Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.