[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.