SOS Business Search

Mississippi Secretary of State office — contact & fees

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

The Mississippi Secretary of State's Business Services Division registers all entity types, processes annual reports, and issues certificates. All filings are handled through the online portal; in-person and walk-in filings are no longer accepted.

Open Official Mississippi Secretary of State Portal ↗

Office contact

Street address
660 North Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Mailing address
P.O. Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205-0136
Phone
(601) 359-1633
Toll-free phone
1-800-256-3494
Fax
(601) 359-1607
Business Services homepage
sos.ms.gov — Business Services

Entity formation and filing fees

Fees below are from the Mississippi Secretary of State's Services & Fees Schedule (PDF, revised October 2024) and the Business Documents Filing Fees schedule. Verify current amounts by calling (601) 359-1633 or at sos.ms.gov before filing. All payments are nonrefundable.

Domestic LLC — Certificate of Formation

Fee
$50

Domestic LLC — Annual Report

Fee
$0 (no fee)

Domestic Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee
$50

Domestic Profit Corporation — Annual Report (due April 15)

Fee
$25

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee
$50

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Annual Report (due May 15)

Fee
$25

Name Reservation — Domestic

Fee
$25

Foreign Profit Corporation — Certificate of Authority

Fee
$500

Foreign LLC — Application for Registration

Fee
$250

Foreign LLC — Annual Report

Fee
$250

Foreign Nonprofit Corporation — Certificate of Authority

Fee
$100

Foreign Profit/Nonprofit Corporation — Annual Report

Fee
$25

Certificate of Good Standing

Fee
Verify current fee at sos.ms.gov

Formation fees for LLCs, profit corporations, and nonprofit corporations are all $50 — a flat, low rate compared to many states. Foreign corporation registration ($500) is significantly higher than the domestic formation fee. The LLC annual report is free ($0); profit and nonprofit corporation annual reports cost $25.

Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act (2026)

The Mississippi Secretary of State's Office reports a sharp rise in fraudulent business entities being formed using someone else's personal address or identity without their knowledge. The 2026 Legislative Session passed the Mississippi Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act, giving the Secretary of State an administrative process for dissolving confirmed-fraudulent filings. Anyone whose personal information was used to form a business without permission can submit a notarized Declaration of Wrongful Business Filing Form to the office. The office has also separately warned businesses for years about third parties sending deceptive "Certificate of Existence" solicitation letters demanding payment — those letters are not sent or authorized by the Secretary of State.

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

Beyond business entity filings, the Secretary of State also runs three other public-facing services:

  • UCC search and filing — handled through Business Services alongside entity filings.
  • Notary public commissions — a $25 application fee, plus a $5,000 surety bond.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $5 per document.

Source: Mississippi Secretary of State notary and apostille pages (sos.ms.gov).

Key Mississippi state licensing agencies

Mississippi Department of Revenue (MDOR)

What it covers
State tax registration, sales and use tax, withholding tax; tax clearance letters for entity reinstatement
Website
dor.ms.gov

Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES)

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, employer tax accounts, wage reporting
Website
mdes.ms.gov

Mississippi State Board of Contractors

What it covers
General and specialty contractor licensing, subcontractor registration
Website
msboc.us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mississippi's Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act?

Passed in the 2026 Legislative Session, it gives the Secretary of State an administrative process for dissolving business filings made fraudulently using someone else's identity or address. Anyone whose information was misused can submit a notarized Declaration of Wrongful Business Filing Form to the office.

How much does it cost to form a business in Mississippi?

Formation fees are a flat $50 for LLCs, profit corporations, and nonprofit corporations — a low, uniform rate compared to many states. Foreign corporation registration, by contrast, costs $500.

Are Certificate of Existence letters from third parties legitimate in Mississippi?

No. The Secretary of State has warned businesses for years about third parties sending deceptive 'Certificate of Existence' solicitation letters demanding payment — those letters aren't sent or authorized by the Secretary of State's office.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to Mississippi — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Helpful Guides

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Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

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How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

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LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

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Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

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How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

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LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

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UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

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