Mo. Rev. Stat. § 379.040
Whenever the incorporators shall have filed the declaration required by section 379.030, and also proof of the publication therein required, by the affidavit of the publisher of the newspaper in which the publication was made, his foreman or clerk, with the director, it shall be the duty of the director to submit such declaration to the attorney general of this state for examination, and if it shall be found by him to be in accordance with the provisions of sections 379.010 to 379.160, and not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of this state and the United States, he shall so certify, and deliver it back to the director, who shall record the declaration, affidavit, and the certificate of the attorney general, in a book kept for that purpose, and shall furnish a certified copy of the same to the incorporators, and shall also file a certified copy of the same with the secretary of state, who, upon payment to the state director of revenue of the tax required by section 351.065, shall issue a certificate of incorporation, upon the receipt of which they may proceed to organize in the manner set forth in their charter, and to open books for subscription to the capital stock of the company, and keep the same open until the whole amount specified in the charter is subscribed; but it shall not be lawful for such companies to issue policies or transact any business of any kind or nature whatever, except as aforesaid, until they have fully complied with the requirements of sections 379.050 and 379.055.
§ 379.040, RSMo