- Filing fee
- $155
- Annual Renewal
- $0
- First-year gov. cost
- $155
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Minnesota will accept
Must contain Limited Liability Company or LLC. Terms like Corp or Inc. are forbidden.
Search existing Minnesota business names before you commit. Minnesota naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Registered office (physical street address in MN, no PO Box alone) is required, but naming a specific registered agent is entirely optional.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Minnesota registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Minnesota Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $155. $155 online/in-person (automatically expedited), $135 by mail
Processing: online 1 to 5 business days; by mail 5 to 7 business days or up to 4 weeks including mail transit. Expedite: Included in $155 online/in-person fee, no additional tiers.
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed, but highly recommended to avoid strict statutory default rules.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Renewal ($0), due December 31 of each year, beginning the calendar year following formation. Immediate administrative termination without a separate late fee, reinstatement costs $45 online or $25 by mail. Minnesota report deadlines.
Every Minnesota LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $155 | $155 online/in-person (automatically expedited), $135 by mail |
| Annual Renewal | $0 | annual, December 31 of each year, beginning the calendar year following formation |
| Name reservation (optional) | $55 | 12 months |
| Change of registered agent | $55 | $55 online or $35 by mail |
| Amendment | $70 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $15 | |
| Certificate of Authority | $205 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Statement of Dissolution, followed by a Statement of Termination | $55 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $50 online or $30 by mail, plus mandatory newspaper publication cost | state |
How Minnesota compares nationally
- Minnesota's filing fee of $155 is the 11th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Minnesota's first-year government cost of $155 is the 14th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Minnesota's yearly cost after that of $0 ties for the lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Minnesota Secretary of State costs $155 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Minnesota street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Minnesota's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Minnesota fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $155 | $0 |
| Northwest | $194 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $155 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No traditional franchise tax on standard LLCs. Multi-member LLCs face a minimum fee if combined MN property, payroll, and sales exceed $1.28 million (triggering a $260+ fee). Personal income tax 5.35% to 9.85%, corporate up to 9.80%.
What's different about Minnesota
- Registered agent is optional, only a registered office is strictly required.
- Annual renewal is mandatory but completely free.
- Name reservation lasts a remarkably long 12 months.
More Minnesota LLC guides
Minnesota LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Secretary of State charges $155 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $155 in government fees (Online formation).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Minnesota?
Online: 1 to 5 business days. By mail: 5 to 7 business days or up to 4 weeks including mail transit. Expedited: Included in $155 online/in-person fee, no additional tiers.
Does a Minnesota LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Minnesota requires the Annual Renewal, which costs $0, filed annual. Due: December 31 of each year, beginning the calendar year following formation. Immediate administrative termination without a separate late fee, reinstatement costs $45 online or $25 by mail.
Can I be my own registered agent in Minnesota?
Yes. Registered office (physical street address in MN, no PO Box alone) is required, but naming a specific registered agent is entirely optional. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Minnesota require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Minnesota has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Minnesota?
Not required to be filed, but highly recommended to avoid strict statutory default rules.
What taxes does a Minnesota LLC pay to the state?
No traditional franchise tax on standard LLCs. Multi-member LLCs face a minimum fee if combined MN property, payroll, and sales exceed $1.28 million (triggering a $260+ fee). Personal income tax 5.35% to 9.85%, corporate up to 9.80%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.