Payday loans in Missouri
Payday loans are legal in Missouri. A licensed lender may lend up to Loans $500 or less subject to these restrictions. and charge no more than 75% of initial loan amount. Every figure on this page was checked against Missouri law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
Missouri payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
- Loan term
- 14-31 days
- Maximum fee
- 75% of initial loan amount
- Loans at one time
- A loan pursuant to 408.500 (payday loan §) shall be complete and not renewed when the lender presents the instrument is presented for payment and the payee redeems by…
- Rollovers
- Cannot use the proceeds of one loan to pay off an existing loan.
- Governing law
- MO ST 408.500 et seq.
- Regulator
- Missouri Division of Finance
Checked against Missouri law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday loans are legal in Missouri and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one payday loan is $500.
- Price rule: 75% of initial loan amount.
- Missouri Division of Finance handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Missouri?
Payday loans are legal in Missouri. A licensed lender may lend up to Loans $500 or less subject to these restrictions. and charge no more than 75% of initial loan amount.
The governing law is MO ST 408.500 et seq… Missouri Division of Finance licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
Loan limits in Missouri
- Loan size: up to $500
- Loan term: 14-31 days
- Loans at one time: A loan pursuant to 408.500 (payday loan §) shall be complete and not renewed when the lender presents the instrument is presented for payment and the payee redeems by…
- Rollovers: Cannot use the proceeds of one loan to pay off an existing loan.
What a payday loan costs in Missouri
State law sets the price rule: 75% of initial loan amount.
Federal law requires the lender to state the finance charge in dollars and the APR in your agreement. Read both before you sign, and set them beside the example further down this page.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. A single-payment payday loan under Missouri law does not meet that standard, whatever its fee, because it falls due in one payment within weeks.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Missouri
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. On criminal threats: A person does not commit the crime of passing a bad check pursuant to section 570.120 if at the time the payee accepts a check or similar sight order for the payment of…. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Missouri Division of Finance and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Missouri
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
Free help in Missouri
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Missouri?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Missouri under MO ST 408.500 et seq., and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Missouri?
Up to $500 on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in Missouri?
State law sets the price rule: 75% of initial loan amount. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in Missouri?
State rule on rollovers: Cannot use the proceeds of one loan to pay off an existing loan. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Missouri?
No. A person does not commit the crime of passing a bad check pursuant to section 570.120 if at the time the payee accepts a check or similar sight order for the payment of…. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Missouri?
Contact Missouri Division of Finance. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Missouri?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- MontanaMontana caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- MississippiPayday loans are legal in Mississippi. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- NebraskaNebraska caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- MinnesotaMinnesota caps small loans at 50% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- NevadaPayday loans are legal in Nevada. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- MichiganPayday loans are legal in Michigan. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.