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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Minnesota, you file Articles of Organization with the Minnesota

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<v Dan>Secretary of State, and pay $155 online.

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<v Maya>And if I file by mail?

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

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Minnesota for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we begin?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, or LLC.

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<v Dan>And it has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

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<v Maya>Anything I have to leave out?

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<v Dan>Yes. Leave out corporation and incorporated.

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<v Maya>How do I search?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search.

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<v Dan>Start there.

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<v Maya>And holding a name?

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

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<v Maya>Is this the registered agent step?

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<v Dan>Not quite. In Minnesota, you set up a registered office.

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<v Dan>That means an actual office location in Minnesota.

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<v Maya>What about a P.O. box?

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

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<v Maya>And the agent?

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<v Dan>Naming a registered agent is optional for a Minnesota LLC.

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<v Dan>That's unusual.

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<v Maya>What if I change my mind later?

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

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<v Maya>So why use one?

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<v Dan>Lawsuits and state notices go to that office, and everything on the form is public.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Online, through the Secretary of State's business filing portal.

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<v Dan>It's $155.

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

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

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<v Dan>organizer.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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<v Dan>Online filings are expedited. They typically take two to five business days, and the

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<v Dan>documents are emailed back to you.

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<v Maya>Is there a way to file in person?

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

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<v Maya>And by mail?

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

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<v Maya>Does the state collect an operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>Does it have to be written?

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<v Dan>Minnesota's law counts even an oral or implied agreement.

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<v Dan>So put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Minnesota want after I'm formed?

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

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>Nothing. There's no fee.

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<v Maya>And if I miss it?

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<v Dan>The LLC is administratively terminated.

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<v Maya>Can I come back from that?

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

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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

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<v Maya>And every year after?

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<v Dan>The annual renewal is free.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Also free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $55 online, and $55 online to change your registered

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<v Dan>office or agent later.

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

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

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<v Maya>And by mail?

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

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<v Maya>Let me compare the two ways to file.

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<v Dan>Online is $155. By mail is $135.

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<v Maya>So mail saves $20.

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<v Dan>It does. But online filings are expedited, typically two to five business days.

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<v Dan>Mail isn't expedited.

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<v Maya>So the $20 buys speed.

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<v Dan>And your documents come back by email.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the registered office.

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<v Maya>Why does it matter?

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<v Dan>Lawsuits and state notices go there.

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<v Maya>And who can see it?

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<v Dan>Everything on the form is public.

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<v Maya>Is a P.O. box ever enough?

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

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<v Maya>And the agent being optional?

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

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

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

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<v Maya>What happens if I miss it?

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<v Dan>Administrative termination.

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<v Maya>And the fix?

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

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<v Maya>So the free filing on time is the easy path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the Articles of Organization.

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<v Dan>The name, the registered office, and each organizer.

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<v Maya>Each organizer, so every one gets listed?

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<v Dan>Yes. The form asks for each organizer.

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<v Maya>Is there a place for a registered agent?

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<v Dan>It's optional in Minnesota, so you can leave it out.

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<v Dan>The registered office is the part you can't skip.

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<v Maya>So the form is short.

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

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Set up your registered office.

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<v Dan>File your Articles online for $155.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The free annual renewal, by December 31 every year, starting the year after you

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<v Dan>form.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Minnesota.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the

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<v Dan>state fee. With the $155 state fee, checkout comes to $354.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual renewal?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by December 31 every year, so the LLC never gets terminated for a

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<v Dan>missed renewal.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>MN Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $354 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Minnesota Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Minnesota's renewal is free. So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three

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<v Dan>cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, set up a registered office at a Minnesota office

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<v Dan>location, file the Articles online for $155, write an operating agreement,

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<v Dan>get your free EIN, and file your free annual renewal by December 31 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Minnesota LLC.