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Register a business in Minnesota
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Minnesota. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Minnesota entities are formed with the Secretary of State, by mail, in person (by appointment) or online. Online and in-person filings are expedited. Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Minnesota LLC is formed under Chapter 322C by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, filed by mail: $135 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, filed online or in person (expedited): $155 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Minnesota business corporation is formed under Chapter 302A by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, filed by mail: $135 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, filed online or in person (expedited): $155 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Minnesota LLCs file an annual renewal with the Secretary of State by December 31 each calendar year, starting the year after the articles are filed. No fee is required to file it. Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, as of
- Minnesota business corporations file an annual renewal with the Secretary of State by December 31 each calendar year, starting the year after incorporation. Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, as of
- Annual renewal fee for a corporation: $0 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A Certificate of Assumed Name is filed with the Secretary of State. It must be published for two consecutive issues in a qualified legal newspaper in the county of the principal place of business, and it is renewed every year at no fee. Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name, filed by mail: $30 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name, filed online or in person (expedited): $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Minnesota Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Before making taxable sales in Minnesota, a business registers for a Minnesota Tax ID Number and a Sales and Use Tax account, online through Business Tax Registration. Minnesota Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Under Minnesota Rules chapter 4717, the owner of a public pool must designate a trained operator, certified through an approved course (PHTA CPO, NRPA AFO and others) and recertified at least every five years (rule 4717.0650). Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Filing and Certification Fee Schedule Minnesota Secretary of State. As of .
- Minnesota Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization (Rev. 7/1/2025) Minnesota Secretary of State. As of .
- Minnesota Business Corporation Articles of Incorporation (Rev. 7/1/2025) Minnesota Secretary of State. As of .
- Minn. Stat. 322C.0208 Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. As of .
- Minn. Stat. 302A.821 Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. As of .
- Certificate of Assumed Name (Rev. 4/6/2026) Minnesota Secretary of State. As of .
- Registering Your Business Minnesota Department of Revenue. As of .
- Minnesota Rules Chapter 4717 Public Swimming Pools Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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