Citizen Self Service Instructions

Registering for CSS

  1. Use the following link or copy & paste the URL into any computer browser: https://energov.como.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home
  2. Please enter the email address you want to be associated with your account. This email address will be the main contact information used for applying and tracking your business licenses, permits and plans.
    1. Set up a group/office account if you want more than one person to be able to access the information (e.g. [email protected]). This will permit anyone with access to that account to login and view all associated records.
    2. Seperate accounts for business versus personal transactions: For example, if you have a plumbing business and you are a master plumber, you will use your business email and business information for an account to apply for your business license. Versus applying for your trade license, you will use your personal email and personal information for an account.
  3. After entering the email you want to be associated with your account, please check your email. Click the confirm email link in the body of the email to move to the next step of the registration process.
  4. Fill out the required personal info fields
  5. Check the box next to “I’m not a robot” and select Submit
  6. After logging in, you will see the home page screen. The Dashboard tab is where you can view and pay business license fees.

Instructions for applying for a new business license

  1. Click Apply on Home screen
  2. Click New Business & Professional License tab
  3. Click Show Categories
  4. Determine which of the three categories — Construction, General Business License or Home Occupation — best describes your business.  Then select the type of business you’re operating under that category and Click Apply.   Select your Company Type from the drop-down menu and Click anywhere on the blue box.
  5. Locations: Click Add Location to add the physical address of your business location.
    1. If your business location is inside the City limits, enter the street address in the Search box and Click the Search Icon. Click ADD to select your address from the list.
    2. If the physical address of your business location is outside the City limits, Click Enter Manually and enter your address information.
  6. Click Save
  7. On the next screen, select Mailing in the second location box to add the mailing address of your business location, even if it is the same as the business location address.
  8. Type: Enter the requested information.
    1. NOTE: A MO sales tax number is only required for businesses with retail sales.  Estimate your anticipated annual gross receipts from the open date of your business through the remainder of the business license year (July 1 – June 30)
  9. Contacts: Click Add Contact to add the name of the Business Owner
    • NOTE: If your business type is a
      • Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation: Owner is the name of the corporation or LLC.
      • Partnership: Owner is both business partners
      • Sole proprietorship: Owner is the invididual who owns the business. 
  10. Click on Business Owner and enter the requested information. 
  11. Click Submit Then add the Corporate Officer information as well as any other contact information you would like to add. 
  12. Click Submit
  13. More info: Enter the requested information and sign.
  14. Attachments: Attach a completed DISCLOSURE AND AUTHORIZATION FORM(s) for consent for the City to request a Missouri criminal background check.  If you’ve lived outside of Missouri during the past five (5) years, also complete and attach the Out-of-State Disclosure and Authorization form.
    • Tobacco Retail License: If your business sells tobacco products, alternative nicotine products or vapor products, a completed Tobacco Retailer License application must be attached
    • Home Occupation Businesses: If you’re operating your business from your residence and your residence is located inside the City limits of Columbia, the Home Occupation documents must be completed and attached.
    • All Construction Businesses: Attach a current Workers Compensation Insurance Certificate if your construction business has one (1) or more employees.  If you do not have any employees, please complete the Affidavit of Exemption for Workers’ Compensation Insurance form.
      • Electrical Businesses: Also attach a Certificate of Liability Insurance
      • Plumbing Businesses: Also attach a completed Surety Bond
  15. Review and Submit: Review to ensure accuracy of information. Click Submit.
  16. The next screen will include your Business License Number. Click Fees tab in the middle of the screen. Fees due will be located at the bottom. For more fees information, see the fees section on the Business License main page.
    • If you are selling food or drink, please contact the Environmental Health Division of Health and Human Services at 573.874.7346.
  17. Click Add to Cart
  18. Upon review, click Check Out and provide payment information. 
  19. Click Pay Now.

Please allow for 5-7 days for processing. Your business license will be sent to you via email. 

Business license renewal instructions

  1. Scroll down to My Licenses and click the Renew tab associated with the business license you wish to renew.
  2. Scroll to Receipt Details and enter your reported receipts. If you forget this step, the License Fee will not calculate.
    1. The amount of reported receipts will be the total amount your business received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without deducting any costs or expenses. To view the fees associated, please see the main Business License page.
  3. Click Next and complete the More Info screen. Click Next again.
    1. Construction Businesses Only (with one or more employees): Please attach a Certificate of Insurance of Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If you have no employees, please complete and have notarized the Affidavit of Exemption for Worker’s Compensation Insurance form.
    2. Plumbing Businesses Only: Please attach a completed surety bond in the amount of $10,000, executed on the City’s bond form and accompanied by a Power of Attorney.
    3.  Electrical Businesses Only: Please attach a current Certificate of Liability Insurance form.
  4. Click Submit.
  5. At the bottom of the screen, select the Fees tab for the amount due. Scroll to the top right of this screen and click Add to Cart.
  6. Upon review, click Check Out and provide payment information. 
  7. Click Pay Now

Your renewed business license will be mailed to you upon approval. If you have any questions, please contact the Business License Division at Business.license@CoMo.Gov, or call 573.874.7378 or 573.874.7378.

Liquor license renewal

  1. After logging in, you will see the home page screen. The Dashboard tab is where you can view and pay liquor license fees.
  2. Scroll down to My Licenses and click the Renew tab associated with the liquor license you wish to renew.
    1. Please disregard the License Details and Receipt Details sections.
  3. Click Next
  4. Type name of Managing Officer and click Next.
  5. Attach the Certificate of No Tax Due and click Next.
  6. Review Basic Info, Contacts, and Estimated Fees information and Click Submit.
  7. Select Fees in the middle of the screen and Click Add to Cart
  8. Upon review, Click Check Out and provide payment information.
  9. Click Pay Now.

Your renewed liqour license will be mailed to you upon approval. If you have any questions, please contact the Business License Division at Business.license@CoMo.Gov, or call 573.874.7378 or 573.874.7378.

New guard license application instructions

  1. On the HOME screen, Click Apply.  Then Click New Business and Professional Licenses tab
  2. Scroll to bottom of screen and select Armed Guard or Unarmed Guard
  3. Location: Click Add location.
    1. If you live inside the City limits of Columbia, Search for your mailing address. When the address appears, Click Add
    2. If your address is located outside the City limits, click Enter Manually to enter your address and Save.
  4. Type: Review to ensure the data listed is accurate.
  5. Contacts: Click Add Contact and enter the company name of your employer in the Search section
  6. Click the Search Icon
  7. Click Add next to the name of your employer
  8. More Info: Follow the instructions provided to complete the Armed or Unarmed Guard Application form, as well as the Disclosure and Authorization Form(s) to obtain a criminal background report. 
  9. Sign by typing name and date.
  10. Attachments: Attach all required documents
  11. Review and Submit: Select Fees in the middle of the screen and Click Add to Cart.
  12. Upon review, Click Check Out and provide payment information.
  13. Click Pay Now.
  14. Select Fees in the middle of the screen and Click Add to Cart
  15. Upon review, Click Check Out and provide payment information.
  16. Click Pay Now.

Guard license renewal instructions

  1. To renew a guard license, scroll to the bottom of the Dashboard screen and select your license.
  2. Locations: Click Next
  3. Type: Review to ensure the data listed is accurate.
  4. More info: enter email address
  5. Attachments:  Attach all required documents.
  6. Review and Submit: Select Fees in the middle of the screen and Click Add to Cart.
  7. Upon review, Click Check Out and provide payment information.
  8. Click Pay Now.
  9. Select Fees in the middle of the screen and Click Add to Cart
  10. Upon review, Click Check Out and provide payment information.
  11. Click Pay Now.