Solicitors Permits

A Solicitors Permit is issued to an individual traveling “door-to-door” in residential neighborhoods with the intent to take orders for sale of goods, wares and merchandise, personal property for future delivery, or services to be furnished or performed in the future. 

The application form is available online or at the Business License Office, 701 East Broadway, Columbia, MO 65205. Each solicitor must complete an application and pay a $20.00 application fee. Additionally, the applicant must provide a letter from the business authorizing the solicitation.

In addition, a criminal records check from the applicant’s resident state will be obtained by the Business License Office upon completion of a “Disclosure and Authorization Form to Obtain Background Report” by the applicant.   The fee for a Missouri records check is $17.  Please contact the Business License Office to obtain the fee for out of state records checks.  

The business must also obtain a Business License prior to the solicitor’s permit being issued.  Each solicitor is issued a picture I.D. permit card which shall be exhibited at the request of any citizen. The I.D. permit card contains:

  • The City of Columbia logo, on front and back
  • A photo of the solicitor
  • The solicitor’s name
  • Date of issue
  • Signature of the Business Services Manager on back of card