Frequently Asked Questions
+
Business Names
+
What is a "fictitious name?"
A fictitious name is a name under which any person shall do or transact any
business in this state which is other than the true name of such person. A
fictitious name is commonly referred to as a "DBA," an acronym for "doing
business as." Filing a fictitious name registration does not afford
or secure any exclusive rights to the name.
+
Who has to file a fictitious name registration?
Any person or entity which is doing business under a name other than its
true name must register that fictitious name. For instance,
if John Doe is doing business under the name "John's Lemonade Stand,"
John Doe must register the fictitious name "John's Lemonade
Stand." If the corporation known as Missouri Lemonade Manufacturing,
Inc., is doing business under the name "Missouri Lemonade,"
it must register the fictitious name "Missouri Lemonade."
+
Why is a corporation or limited liability company using the fictitious name
I have registered?
Filing or registering a fictitious name for your business does not afford or
reserve any exclusive rights to the use of that name. There is no limit to
the number of entities which may register the same fictitious name.
+
How long does a name reservation last?
A corporate name, or a name for a limited liability company or limited
partnership, may be reserved for up to 60 days, and such reservation may
be renewed for two additional 60 day periods. After a name has been
reserved for 180 days, the name ceases to be in reserved status and the
applicant who had the name reserved for the maximum 180 days may not reserve
that name again. The applicant whose reservation expired may still
use the name as its corporate name if available, and any other entity may
place the name back into reserve status.
+
If a name reservation expires, who can use it or reserve it?
After a particular name's reserve status expires, it is available to any party
for use as a corporate name, even the party whose reservation expired. The
party whose reservation expired, however, may never again place the name in
reserved status.