Missouri Registered Agent

Get A Registered Agent

Fast registered agent service with no hidden fees.

Missouri Corporation Registered Agent

What Is a Registered Agent for a Missouri Corporation?

A registered agent is the individual or business entity that a Missouri corporation designates to accept service of process, official government notices, and legal demands on its behalf. Under RSMo § 351.380, the registered agent “shall be an agent of such corporation upon whom any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon a corporation may be served.” When a plaintiff files a lawsuit against a Missouri corporation, delivering the summons and petition to the registered agent at the registered office constitutes valid service on the corporation itself — starting the clock on every filing deadline that follows.

The role is a statutory compliance function, not a management position. A registered agent does not direct the corporation’s operations, does not hold a corporate office by virtue of the appointment, and is not the corporation’s general representative for commercial transactions. The role exists so that the state, courts, and private parties always have a reliable physical point of contact through which legal papers can reach the corporation. Missouri requires every corporation — domestic or foreign, for-profit or nonprofit — to designate and continuously maintain a registered agent and a registered office in the state. The registered office is the physical street address at which the agent may be personally served during normal business hours.

When the process arrives, the registered agent’s obligation is to forward it promptly to the corporation’s officers so they can respond within statutory or court-imposed deadlines. If the agent fails to forward documents or becomes unavailable, the corporation risks missing deadlines entirely — a situation that can result in a default judgment without the corporation ever appearing in court.

Is a Registered Agent Required for a Missouri Corporation?

A registered agent is a mandatory legal requirement for every corporation registered in Missouri. RSMo § 351.370 directs that each corporation “shall have and continuously maintain in this state” both a registered office and a registered agent. The word “continuously” carries real weight: from the date the articles of incorporation are filed through the date of dissolution, withdrawal, or termination, a corporation must have a qualified, available agent at a compliant street address at all times. The obligation is uniform across every organizational form that files with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.

The following corporation types must maintain a registered agent in Missouri:

The consequences of failure are severe. A domestic corporation that goes without a registered agent or registered office for thirty days or more faces administrative dissolution under RSMo § 351.484. A foreign corporation in the same position faces revocation of its certificate of authority under RSMo § 351.598.

Who May Serve as a Registered Agent for a Missouri Corporation?

Missouri law establishes two categories of eligible registered agents, and the rules apply identically to for-profit, nonprofit, and professional corporations. Under RSMo § 351.370, the agent may be an individual or a corporation, but in either case the agent’s business office must be located in Missouri and must be identical with the corporation’s registered office. A corporation cannot designate itself as its own registered agent — the Statement of Change (Corp. 59) form instructions confirm that “the corporation may not act as its own agent.” Written consent from the proposed agent is required before any designation or change takes effect.

Option A — A Corporation — A domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Missouri may serve as registered agent, provided it is a separate entity from the corporation it represents and maintains a business office identical with the represented entity’s registered office. This option is commonly used by professional registered agent service companies that represent dozens or hundreds of entities from a single Missouri office.

Option B — An Individual — A natural person who resides in Missouri and whose business office is identical with the corporation’s registered office may serve. There is no special licensing requirement for registered agents, and the individual does not need to be a lawyer. Any Missouri resident who can be found at the registered office during normal business hours to accept service satisfies the statute.

The registered office address itself must meet specific standards. The Corporations Division FAQ confirms that a P.O. Box alone is not acceptable and that the address of a retail mailing store, such as a UPS Store or Mailboxes Etc. cannot serve as the registered office.

Requirement Permissible Not Permissible
Address type Physical street address in Missouri (a P.O. Box may supplement a physical address) P.O. Box alone
Service accessibility Personal service during normal business hours at the registered office Address of a retail mailing store (UPS Store, Mailboxes Etc.)
Commercial address use Permitted if the registered agent’s actual business office occupies that address Address where the agent has no physical office
Location Anywhere in Missouri Outside Missouri

Note: The Corp. 59 form reiterates that the agent’s address must be in the State of Missouri and that a P.O. Box may only be used in conjunction with a physical street address.

How to Designate a Registered Agent on Your Missouri Certificate of Formation

The registered agent and registered office are designated directly in the articles of incorporation filed with the Missouri Secretary of State. For a domestic for-profit corporation, Article Two of Corp. 41 requires the registered agent’s name and a Missouri street address. For a domestic nonprofit corporation, Article 4 of Corp. 52 collects the same information. In both cases, the designated agent must have consented in writing before the incorporator signs and submits the articles. Missouri does not provide a standalone consent form — the agent’s consent is typically evidenced by the agent’s signature on the change form when applicable, or retained in the corporation’s records at formation.

  1. Obtain written consent from the proposed registered agent before completing the articles of incorporation. Retain documentation of the consent in the corporation’s records.
  2. Complete the registered agent section of the formation form — enter the agent’s full legal name and the physical street address of the registered office, including street and number.
  3. Confirm the address is a physical street address in Missouri where the agent can be personally served during normal business hours. A P.O. Box is acceptable only when paired with a physical street address.
  4. Submit the completed articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State. Filings may be submitted online through the Missouri Business Filing Portal, by mail to the Corporations Division at P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by in-person delivery at 600 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
  5. Pay the applicable filing fee with the submission. Electronic payments by credit card incur a small convenience fee that is not collected or retained by the State of Missouri.

Missouri uses different formation forms and fee structures for each corporation type. The filing fee for domestic for-profit corporations is based on the dollar value of authorized shares, while nonprofit corporations pay a flat rate. The table below summarizes the formation forms and fees from the official Schedule of Corporation Fees and Charges.

Corporation Type Formation Form Filing Fee
Domestic for-profit corporation Articles of Incorporation (Corp. 41) $58 minimum (for authorized capital of $30,000 or less); increases $5 per additional $10,000
Domestic nonprofit corporation Articles of Incorporation (Corp. 52) $25
Domestic professional corporation Corp. 41 plus Certificate of Professional License (Corp. 76) $58 minimum (same sliding scale as for-profit)
Foreign for-profit corporation Application for Certificate of Authority (Corp. 42) $155
Foreign nonprofit corporation Application for Certificate of Authority (Corp. 55A) $25

Note: Missouri’s domestic for-profit incorporation fee includes a $3 certificate-of-incorporation charge and a $5 technology fund fee. “No par” shares are assessed at $1 per share for calculating authorized capital.

Registered Agent Requirements for Professional Corporations in Missouri

A professional corporation formed under RSMo Chapter 356 is subject to the same registered agent requirements as a standard for-profit corporation. The professional corporation statute directs that the articles of incorporation “shall otherwise meet the requirements of chapter 351,” which incorporates the full set of registered agent eligibility, designation, and registered office rules applicable to general business corporations. The distinctions between professional corporations and standard for-profit corporations arise from ownership eligibility, management restrictions, and naming conventions — not from the registered agent obligation.

Under RSMo § 356.021, only a qualified person — a natural person licensed to render the professional service described in the articles — may own shares in a professional corporation. All directors and officers of the professional corporation, other than the secretary, must be qualified persons licensed in the relevant profession. The articles must be accompanied by a Certificate of Professional License (Corp. 76) issued by the appropriate licensing authority. Professional corporations in Missouri may be formed by accountants, architects, engineers, attorneys, chiropodist-podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, physicians, psychologists, veterinarians, registered nurses, real estate salespersons, and physical therapists.

Requirement Standard For-Profit Corporation Professional Corporation
Registered agent eligibility RSMo § 351.370 RSMo § 351.370 (identical)
Written consent required Yes Yes
Registered office requirements Physical Missouri address, identical to the agent’s business office Physical Missouri address, identical to agent’s business office (identical)
A corporation cannot be its own registered agent Correct Correct
Governing person eligibility No professional license required All directors and officers (except the secretary) must be licensed (RSMo § 356.021)
Formation form Corp. 41 Corp. 41 plus Corp. 76
Minimum formation filing fee $58 $58
Name requirement Must contain “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” or “limited.” Must contain “Professional Corporation” or “P.C.” (RSMo § 356.071)

The Registered Agent’s Role in Corporate Governance and Legal Proceedings

The registered agent occupies a distinct position within a Missouri corporation’s governance framework — one that is defined by statute rather than by the corporation’s bylaws or operating agreements. The agent’s authority is narrow but consequential: it exists solely to ensure that legal process and official government communications reach the corporation reliably.

Primary Role: Designated Agent for Service of Process — The registered agent is the corporation’s exclusive statutory point of contact for service of process, notices, and demands. Under RSMo § 351.380, proper delivery of a summons and petition to the registered agent at the registered office constitutes valid service on the corporation. Once that delivery occurs, the corporation’s response deadline begins to run. If the registered agent fails to forward the documents or is absent from the office, the deadline still runs — a problem that can cascade into a default judgment.

The Secretary of State as Substitute Agent — Missouri law provides a fallback when the registered agent system breaks down. RSMo § 351.380 states that “in the event that a corporation shall fail to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, then the secretary of state, as long as such default exists, shall be automatically appointed as an agent of such corporation.” When a process is served on the Secretary of State under this provision, the office forwards a copy by registered mail to the corporation’s registered office. The practical danger is that the corporation may no longer have anyone at that address to receive the mailing, making the risk of a default judgment substantial.

For foreign corporations, RSMo § 351.594 creates additional pathways. When a foreign corporation has no registered agent, has withdrawn from Missouri, or has had its certificate of authority revoked, service may be made by registered or certified mail to the corporation’s secretary at its principal office. If the secretary cannot be located, service may be directed to any director or officer at any known business or residence address.

Governance Implications — The board of directors carries the duty to ensure that the corporation continuously maintains a qualified, available registered agent. Under RSMo § 351.375, any change to the registered agent or registered office requires a “resolution duly adopted by the board of directors” and the filing of a statement of change with the Secretary of State. A board that neglects this duty exposes the corporation to involuntary dissolution and to litigation it may never learn about until a judgment has already been entered.

Registered Agent Information in Corporate Bylaws

Missouri law does not require a corporation to identify the registered agent or registered office in its corporate bylaws. Bylaws are internal governance documents adopted by the board of directors to regulate and manage the corporation’s affairs. The Corporations Division FAQ confirms that “bylaws, copies of minutes of any meetings, stock certificates, shareholders agreements, and other internal corporate documents are not filed with, and will not be accepted by, the Secretary of State.” Bylaws remain at the corporation’s principal office and have no filing effect.

The official designation of the registered agent appears in the articles of incorporation filed with the Secretary of State and is subsequently updated either through a Statement of Change (Corp. 59) or through the corporation’s annual corporate registration report under RSMo § 351.120. Amending the bylaws to reflect a new registered agent has no legal effect — only a filing with the Secretary of State accomplishes a change of record.

A corporation may still choose to reference the registered agent in its bylaws for practical governance reasons: providing directors and officers with a centralized reference to the current agent’s identity and address, establishing an internal notification procedure when the agent or address changes, and documenting the steps for appointing a replacement agent if the current agent resigns or becomes disqualified.

What Happens to a Missouri Corporation Without a Registered Agent?

A Missouri corporation that fails to maintain a registered agent or registered office faces administrative dissolution if it is a domestic entity, or revocation of its certificate of authority if it is a foreign entity. Under RSMo § 351.484, the Secretary of State may commence dissolution proceedings if the corporation “is without a registered agent or registered office in this state for thirty days or more.” A parallel ground exists under RSMo § 351.598 for foreign corporations. Before acting, the Secretary of State must provide written notice and allow a sixty-day cure period under RSMo § 351.486. If the corporation does not correct the deficiency within those sixty days, the Secretary of State signs a certificate of dissolution.

A corporation that has been administratively dissolved continues to exist in a limited sense — it may wind up and liquidate, but it may not carry on regular business. RSMo § 351.486 imposes personal liability on any officer or director who conducts business on behalf of the dissolved corporation beyond what is permitted for winding-up activities. The dissolution does not, however, terminate the authority of the corporation’s registered agent.

Consequence Statutory Authority
Administrative dissolution of a domestic corporation RSMo § 351.484 and § 351.486
Revocation of a foreign corporation’s certificate of authority RSMo § 351.598 and § 351.602
Secretary of State becomes substitute agent for service of process (domestic) RSMo § 351.380
Secretary of State becomes substitute agent for service of process (foreign, post-revocation) RSMo § 351.602
Loss of ability to transact business or maintain legal actions in Missouri courts (foreign) RSMo § 351.572
Risk of default judgment if the process is served while the corporation is unaware RSMo §§ 351.380, 351.594
Personal liability for officers or directors conducting business post-dissolution RSMo § 351.486

For foreign corporations whose certificates have been revoked, RSMo § 351.602 provides that revocation “appoints the secretary of state the foreign corporation’s agent for service of process in any proceeding based on a cause of action which arose during the time the foreign corporation was authorized to transact business in this state.”

Reinstatement — A domestic corporation may apply for rescission of an administrative dissolution under RSMo § 351.488. The application must include a Certificate of Tax Clearance from the Missouri Department of Revenue, documentation curing the grounds for dissolution (such as all overdue annual reports), and a reinstatement fee of $55 plus any delinquent fees and penalties. As the General Services and Filings page notes, the tax clearance letter is valid for only sixty days from issuance. When reinstatement takes effect, it relates back to the date of dissolution, and the corporation resumes operations as if the dissolution had never occurred.

How to Change a Registered Agent for a Missouri Corporation

A Missouri corporation changes its registered agent by filing a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office (Corp. 59) with the Secretary of State. This form serves all corporation types — for-profit, nonprofit, professional, domestic, and foreign — as well as limited liability companies. The statutory authority for the change is RSMo § 351.375 for for-profit and professional corporations and RSMo § 355.166 for nonprofit corporations, though both use the same Corp. 59 form. Alternatively, a corporation may change its registered agent at the time it files its annual corporate registration report under RSMo § 351.120, provided the report includes the new agent’s written consent and a statement that the change was authorized by the board.

  1. Obtain written consent from the new registered agent. The consent must appear as a signature on the Corp. 59 form or be attached as a separate, originally executed written document.
  2. Complete the Corp. 59 form with the corporation’s charter number, current registered office address, current agent’s name, new agent’s name, and the new registered office address (if also changing). Confirm that the new registered office address and the new agent’s business office will be identical.
  3. Include a statement that the change was authorized by resolution of the board of directors (or the appropriate governing body for nonprofit corporations).
  4. Submit the completed form to the Secretary of State online through the Missouri Business Filing Portal, by mail to the Corporations Division at P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by in-person delivery at 600 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
  5. Pay the $10 filing fee. Electronic payments by credit card incur a small convenience fee.

The change takes effect upon filing by the Secretary of State. Missouri allows a future effective date on the formation form (up to ninety days), but standard practice for statement-of-change filings is immediate effectiveness.

Missouri also provides a separate form — Statement of Change of Registered Agent Office Address (Corp. 59A) — for situations in which the existing registered agent moves to a new street address. The agent notifies the corporation in writing of the address change, then files Corp. 59A with the Secretary of State. This form is particularly useful for professional registered agent companies that represent multiple entities: a single Corp. 59A filing updates the registered office address for the named entity without requiring the corporation itself to initiate the change.

If a registered agent wishes to resign from the appointment entirely, Missouri provides the Statement of Resignation of Registered Agent (Corp. 59B), which carries a $10 filing fee.

The filing fee for a change of registered agent is uniform across all corporation types. The Schedule of Corporation Fees and Charges sets the rate as follows:

Corporation Type Filing Fee for Change of Agent (Corp. 59)
Domestic for-profit corporations and professional corporations $10
Domestic nonprofit corporations $10
Foreign for-profit corporations $10
Foreign nonprofit corporations $10

Missouri Corporation Registered Agent Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Missouri corporation serve as its own registered agent?

No. Under RSMo § 351.370, the registered agent must be either an individual who resides in Missouri or a separate corporation authorized to transact business in the state. The statute defines two eligible categories — an individual resident whose business office is identical with the registered office, or a separate corporation with an identical business office — and does not contemplate a corporation naming itself. The Corp. 59 form instructions reinforce the prohibition by stating that “the corporation may not act as its own agent.”

Can a sole incorporator of a corporation serve as its registered agent?

Yes. A sole incorporator who is a natural person residing in Missouri and whose business office is at the registered office address satisfies every eligibility requirement in RSMo § 351.370. By signing and delivering the articles of incorporation, the incorporator affirms that the designated registered agent has consented to serve. When the sole incorporator names himself or herself as the agent, that individual’s business or residence address becomes the registered office address in the corporation’s public filing record maintained by the Secretary of State.

Does a corporation need a registered agent separate from its officers and directors?

No. Missouri law does not require the registered agent to be an outside party. Any individual who is a Missouri resident and whose business office is identical to the registered office may serve, including officers, directors, and employees. The sole restriction is that the corporation itself cannot fill the role. An officer who meets the residency and address requirements may be designated as a registered agent without any conflict under the statute.

Must a registered agent be designated before filing formation documents?

Yes. Under RSMo § 351.055, the articles of incorporation must include the name of the initial registered agent and the street address of the initial registered office. The Secretary of State will not accept articles that omit this information. The designated agent must have already consented in writing before the incorporator signs and submits the formation documents. The same rule applies to nonprofit corporations under Chapter 355 and to professional corporations whose articles must satisfy the Chapter 351 requirements.

Is the corporation’s registered agent required to be listed in the corporate bylaws?

No. Missouri’s corporate statutes allow the bylaws to contain provisions for the regulation and management of the corporation’s internal affairs, but they do not require registered agent information. The Corporations Division FAQ confirms that bylaws and other internal governance documents are not filed with, and will not be accepted by, the Secretary of State. The official record of the registered agent exists in the articles of incorporation and is updated through a Corp. 59 filing or through the annual corporate registration report.

Can I change my corporation’s registered agent online?

Yes. The Corp. 59 filing may be submitted through the Missouri Business Filing Portal. The online filing requires the new agent’s consent, a statement that the board authorized the change, and a $10 filing fee payable by credit card. A corporation may also change its registered agent as part of its annual corporate registration report, which may likewise be filed online through the same portal.

Do Professional Corporations (PCs) have different registered agent requirements?

No. A professional corporation formed under RSMo Chapter 356 follows the same registered agent rules as a standard for-profit corporation. The professional corporation statute expressly requires that the articles of incorporation “shall otherwise meet the requirements of chapter 351,” which encompasses all registered agent and registered office provisions. The distinctions that set professional corporations apart — shareholder licensure requirements, restrictions on directors and officers, and the mandatory use of “Professional Corporation” or “P.C.” in the corporate name — do not extend to registered agent obligations.

Can the same individual or service act as registered agent for multiple Missouri corporations?

Yes. Missouri imposes no cap on the number of corporations a single individual or entity may represent as a registered agent. Professional registered agent companies routinely serve hundreds of entities from one Missouri office. If the agent moves to a new address, the agent may file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent Office Address (Corp. 59A) for each affected entity rather than requiring each corporation to file its own Corp. 59 — a practical efficiency for multi-entity agents.

What happens if my corporation’s registered agent moves out of Missouri?

The individual no longer satisfies the Missouri residency requirement under RSMo § 351.370 and cannot continue serving. The corporation must promptly appoint a new, eligible registered agent by filing a Statement of Change (Corp. 59) with the Secretary of State. If the corporation goes without a registered agent for thirty days or more, the Secretary of State may commence administrative dissolution proceedings under RSMo § 351.484. If the agent relocates to a new address within Missouri, a Corp. 59A filing by the agent — or a Corp. 59 filing by the corporation — updates the registered office address without any gap in compliance.

Is there a different registered agent fee for nonprofit corporations changing their agent?

No. The Schedule of Corporation Fees and Charges sets a uniform $10 filing fee for a change of registered agent or registered office, regardless of whether the corporation is for-profit, nonprofit, professional, domestic, or foreign. The only entity type subject to a different rate in the fee schedule is a limited liability partnership, which follows a separate fee structure — but that distinction does not affect any corporation type.