How to Start an LLC in Minnesota (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Minnesota, you file Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and pay $155 online.

Maya And if I file by mail?

Dan By mail it's $135, but mail isn't expedited.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Minnesota for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

0:27 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited liability company, or LLC. And it has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

Maya Anything I have to leave out?

Dan Yes. Leave out corporation and incorporated.

Maya How do I search?

Dan The Secretary of State has a free business search. Start there.

Maya And holding a name?

Dan A reservation lasts a year. It's $55 online.

0:53 Step 2: Set up a registered office

Maya Is this the registered agent step?

Dan Not quite. In Minnesota, you set up a registered office. That means an actual office location in Minnesota.

Maya What about a P.O. box?

Dan A P.O. box by itself isn't accepted.

Maya And the agent?

Dan Naming a registered agent is optional for a Minnesota LLC. That's unusual.

Maya What if I change my mind later?

Dan Changing your registered office or agent costs $55 online.

Maya So why use one?

Dan Lawsuits and state notices go to that office, and everything on the form is public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

1:30 Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

Maya Where do I file?

Dan Online, through the Secretary of State's business filing portal. It's $155.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. The form asks for the name, the registered office, and each organizer.

Maya How long does it take?

Dan Online filings are expedited. They typically take two to five business days, and the documents are emailed back to you.

Maya Is there a way to file in person?

Dan Yes. In person is $155 too, the same as online.

Maya And by mail?

Dan $135. Mail isn't expedited, so the cheaper route is slower.

2:10 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does the state collect an operating agreement?

Dan No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya Does it have to be written?

Dan Minnesota's law counts even an oral or implied agreement. So put yours in writing.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:35 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya How fast is it?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:03 Step 6: File the annual renewal

Maya What does Minnesota want after I'm formed?

Dan An annual renewal, by December 31 every year, starting the year after you form.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan Nothing. There's no fee.

Maya And if I miss it?

Dan The LLC is administratively terminated.

Maya Can I come back from that?

Dan You can reinstate by filing the renewal, but reinstatement costs $85 online.

3:27 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $155 to form online. That's it for the state.

Maya And every year after?

Dan The annual renewal is free.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Also free.

Maya Anything optional?

Dan A name reservation at $55 online, and $55 online to change your registered office or agent later.

Maya So what's the first year, all in?

Dan $155. The renewal is free, so there's no second state fee waiting for you.

Maya And by mail?

Dan $135, if you don't mind the wait.

4:07 Online or mail

Maya Let me compare the two ways to file.

Dan Online is $155. By mail is $135.

Maya So mail saves $20.

Dan It does. But online filings are expedited, typically two to five business days. Mail isn't expedited.

Maya So the $20 buys speed.

Dan And your documents come back by email.

4:32 Why a registered office matters

Maya Let me press on the registered office. Why does it matter?

Dan Lawsuits and state notices go there.

Maya And who can see it?

Dan Everything on the form is public.

Maya Is a P.O. box ever enough?

Dan Not by itself. It has to be an actual office location in Minnesota.

Maya And the agent being optional?

Dan That's the unusual part. But many owners still use a commercial agent.

4:55 Why the renewal matters

Maya Let me press on the renewal. It's free.

Dan It is. But it's still due every year by December 31.

Maya What happens if I miss it?

Dan Administrative termination.

Maya And the fix?

Dan Reinstatement by filing the renewal, for $85 online.

Maya So the free filing on time is the easy path.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:17 What the form asks for

Maya Walk me through the Articles of Organization.

Dan The name, the registered office, and each organizer.

Maya Each organizer, so every one gets listed?

Dan Yes. The form asks for each organizer.

Maya Is there a place for a registered agent?

Dan It's optional in Minnesota, so you can leave it out. The registered office is the part you can't skip.

Maya So the form is short.

Dan It is. Settle the name and the office first, and the filing goes quickly.

5:45 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Set up your registered office. File your Articles online for $155. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The free annual renewal, by December 31 every year, starting the year after you form.

6:04 The 3 best ways to file in Minnesota

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Minnesota. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $155 state fee, checkout comes to $354.

Maya What does that include?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual renewal?

Dan Mainstay files it by December 31 every year, so the LLC never gets terminated for a missed renewal.

Maya Number two?

Dan MN Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $354 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Minnesota Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How do I choose?

Dan Minnesota's renewal is free. So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

7:26 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for your renewal being filed on time each year.

7:51 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, set up a registered office at a Minnesota office location, file the Articles online for $155, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your free annual renewal by December 31 every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Minnesota LLC.