Deadline for Mo. business owners to reregister fictitious names approaches

Less than two weeks remain for some Missouri businesses owners to reregister their fictitious name.

A change in state law requires businesses that registered with a fictitious name on or before Aug. 28, 2004, to reregister it before Aug. 28, 2009. A fictitious name is filed by an individual who operates the business using a name other than his or her actual name.

Those businesses not filing by the deadline will be considered illegal corporations. However, businesses that do not reregister will not face a monetary penalty.

"We are working hard to inform Missourians about this new requirement," Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said in a written statement.

Carnahan said more than 500,000 fictitious names are registered but that many of those are with companies that no longer exist. Passed in 2004, the new law will eliminate those names that belong to corporations no longer in business, some as early as the 1900s. This is the first time any business using a fictitious name has been required to reregister.

Carnahan spokeswoman Laura Egerdal said while they don't know how many corporations or individuals using fictitious names are no longer in business, she said there is a good chance nearly one-third have folded. Egerdal cited U.S. Small Business Administration statistics that estimates 31 percent of new businesses survive more than seven years.

"So far, response has been good," Egerdal said. "We've fielded a lot of questions from the business community because it's confusing. But it's really a simple process."

Businesses can look up their fictitious name expiration date by visiting https://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/soskb/csearch.asp. Then ownership or management of the business can renew online or via mail. A $7 fee is required for renewal.

For more information, visit www.sos.mo.gov or call 866-223-6535.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

Jefferson City, MO