How much does it cost to start an LLC in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Secretary of State charges $155 to file Articles of Organization online ($135 by mail), making it a mid-range state for LLC formation costs. There are no additional mandatory state fees for the first year since Minnesota's annual renewal carries a $0 fee, so your total first-year cost is just $155. For example, if you form your LLC in June 2026, you owe no renewal fee when you file your free December 31 renewal that same year. Additional costs may include registered agent services, professional operating agreement drafting, or local business license fees depending on your municipality and industry. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by Minnesota, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File your Articles of Organization at sos.state.mn.us to receive immediate electronic confirmation. Minnesota's annual renewal carries a $0 fee.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Minnesota?

Minnesota publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. What the Minnesota Secretary of State does publish is a price for speed: $20 for Expedited service (built into the in-person and online filing fee). Those are firm commitments, and they're the only way to get a guaranteed date. File online where the state offers it. Every state that discusses the difference says online is faster than mail, and treat any specific day count you see quoted for Minnesota as unsourced.

Do I need a Minnesota address to form an LLC in Minnesota?

You don't need a Minnesota address personally to form a Minnesota LLC, but your LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Minnesota address when filing Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. This registered agent receives legal documents and state correspondence on your LLC's behalf during business hours. For example, a founder based in California can form a Minnesota LLC by appointing a professional registered agent service with a Minnesota office. The registered agent's name and address become public record on your filing, keeping your personal address private if you use a professional service. Exception: your LLC's principal office address, which is also listed on the Articles of Organization, doesn't need to be in Minnesota. File online at sos.state.mn.us to begin the process from anywhere. Professional registered agent services are especially useful if your Minnesota LLC has a manager-managed structure where no individual member maintains regular office hours.

What are Minnesota's annual LLC requirements?

Minnesota LLCs must file an annual renewal with the Minnesota Secretary of State by December 31 each year at no cost. The annual renewal fee is $0. This renewal confirms your LLC remains active and updates any changed contact or registered agent information. For example, if you form your LLC in March 2026, your first renewal is due December 31, 2026, just nine months later. Missing the December 31 deadline can result in administrative dissolution of your LLC. You must still file annual tax returns with both the IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue regardless of this free renewal. Exception: LLCs taxed as corporations have additional Minnesota corporate tax filing obligations. File your annual renewal for free at sos.state.mn.us to maintain continuous good standing. Missing the December 31 renewal deadline by even one day can trigger late processing and jeopardize your LLC's good standing with the state.

Can I form an LLC online in Minnesota?

Yes, you can file your Articles of Organization entirely online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at sos.state.mn.us, paying the $155 filing fee by credit or debit card. Online filing is the fastest method, placing your application into the processing queue immediately rather than waiting for mail delivery. You can also check the real-time status of your filing through the Secretary of State's online business search tool. Exception: if your LLC name contains certain restricted words such as 'bank' or 'trust,' the Secretary of State may require additional documentation before approving the filing. File at sos.state.mn.us and pay the $155 fee securely online. Minnesota's online filing system also lets you save a draft and return to it later, which is useful if you need time to gather all organizer addresses before submitting.

What business licenses might my Minnesota LLC need?

License requirements for a Minnesota LLC depend on your specific business type, industry, and the city or county where you operate. Common requirements include a Minnesota sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue for retail businesses, professional licenses for regulated industries such as contractors, healthcare providers, or financial advisors, and local business licenses from your city or county. For example, a Minneapolis-based LLC selling physical goods needs both a state sales tax permit and a Minneapolis business license. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development maintains a business licensing guide to help identify state-level requirements, while your city or county clerk handles local permits. Exception: online-only businesses may still owe Minnesota sales tax on transactions to Minnesota customers. File for your licenses before starting operations to avoid penalties. A Minneapolis restaurant LLC, for example, needs both a state sales tax permit and a city food establishment license before opening.

Start Your Minnesota LLC in 7 Simple Steps

Form your limited liability company quickly and affordably with Minnesota's streamlined process and competitive $155 filing fee.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in Minnesota costs $155 upfront and has a free annual report due December 31. Minnesota publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

Minnesota publishes no standard LLC turnaround: its fee schedule prices expedited service but attaches no figure to the ordinary $155 filing

The Minnesota Secretary of State sells speed instead of promising it: $20 for Expedited service (built into the in-person and online filing fee). Treat any specific day count you see quoted for Minnesota with suspicion. It didn't come from the state. Plan around the filing itself, and buy an expedite tier if your timing is genuinely fixed.

Source: MyStateLLC 50-state primary-source processing verification, July 2026

Read this guide for another state:

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Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr. That enrolls you by default in annual report filing at $100 plus state fees, charged automatically to your saved payment method and cancellable any time.

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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$155 online, $135 by mail
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	December 31
Annual report fee	$0
State income tax	Members pay 5.35% to 9.85% on pass-through profits. A multi-member LLC also owes the state Minimum Fee once Minnesota property, payroll and sales exceed $1.28 million

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State (verified July 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in Minnesota, showing the 7 required steps, $155 state filing fee, $0 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in Minnesota, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, verified July 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose a Unique LLC Name
Your Minnesota LLC name must be distinguishable from existing business entities and include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company'. Search the Minnesota Secretary of State's business database to verify availability. The name can't contain restricted words like 'bank' or 'insurance' without proper licensing.
How to search Minnesota's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your chosen name for 12 months by filing a Name Reservation form with a $35 fee if you're not ready to file immediately.
2
Set Up Your Registered Office (Registered Agent Optional)
Minnesota requires every LLC to keep a registered office in the state, at an actual street address (a P.O. box alone is not accepted). Naming a registered agent is optional. If you name one, the agent's business office must be the registered office. You can serve as your own agent or hire a professional service. The registered office address, and any agent's name, are public record.
Minnesota registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: A professional registered agent service puts its address, not yours, on the registered agent line of the public filing, and accepts legal papers during business hours.
3
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Minnesota Secretary of State with the $155 filing fee online ($135 by mail).
What You File in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the formation document is the Articles of Organization, filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services. The state charges $155 to file online and $135 by mail. Minnesota lets you fill in and file the Articles of Organization online. The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered office address and the organizer's name. Every line of the Articles of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, Minnesota Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, Minnesota Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $20 for Expedited service (built into the in-person and online filing fee)
Pro tip: File online at sos.state.mn.us for faster processing and immediate confirmation of your filing.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
This page has not confirmed whether Minnesota law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way: it records who owns what share, who makes decisions and how profits are divided. This internal document should be signed by all members and kept with your business records.
Minnesota LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs benefit from an operating agreement to demonstrate business separation from personal affairs for tax and legal purposes.
5
Obtain an EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which serves as your LLC's tax ID number. You'll need this to open business bank accounts, file tax returns, and hire employees. Apply online at irs.gov for immediate approval, or use Form SS-4 by mail or fax.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Apply for your EIN immediately after filing your Articles of Organization - it's free directly from the IRS and takes just minutes online.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Separate your personal and business finances by opening a dedicated business bank account using your EIN and Articles of Organization. Keeping business and personal finances separate helps maintain your LLC's liability protection. Compare banks for the best fees and features for your business needs.
Business bank accounts for Minnesota LLCs →
Pro tip: Bring your Articles of Organization certificate, EIN confirmation letter, and operating agreement when opening your business account to avoid delays.
7
Obtain Required Business Licenses
Identify and obtain any federal, state, or local licenses required for your specific business type and location. Minnesota requires various professional licenses, sales tax permits, and industry-specific permits. Check with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and your local city or county offices.
Does your Minnesota LLC need a business license? →

Watch: How to Start an LLC in Minnesota (2026): Step-by-Step Guide

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It reports what each Secretary of State publishes for forming an LLC, with the sources this page cites. It cannot tell you what your own filing needs: fees and forms change between our reviews, several occupations cannot use an ordinary LLC at all and must use a professional entity, and your city or county may require a registration of its own. Confirm the current fee and form with the filing office named on this page before you send anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

: The Minnesota Secretary of State charges $155 to file Articles of Organization online ($135 by mail), making it a mid-range state for LLC formation costs. There are no additional mandatory state fees for the first year since Minnesota's annual renewal carries a $0 fee, so your total first-year cost is just $155. For example, if you form your LLC in June 2026, you owe no renewal fee when you file your free December 31 renewal that same year. Additional costs may include registered agent services, professional operating agreement drafting, or local business license fees depending on your municipality and industry. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by Minnesota, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File your Articles of Organization at sos.state.mn.us to receive immediate electronic confirmation. Minnesota's annual renewal carries a $0 fee.
: Minnesota publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. What the Minnesota Secretary of State does publish is a price for speed: $20 for Expedited service (built into the in-person and online filing fee). Those are firm commitments, and they're the only way to get a guaranteed date. File online where the state offers it. Every state that discusses the difference says online is faster than mail, and treat any specific day count you see quoted for Minnesota as unsourced.
: You don't need a Minnesota address personally to form a Minnesota LLC, but your LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Minnesota address when filing Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. This registered agent receives legal documents and state correspondence on your LLC's behalf during business hours. For example, a founder based in California can form a Minnesota LLC by appointing a professional registered agent service with a Minnesota office. The registered agent's name and address become public record on your filing, keeping your personal address private if you use a professional service. Exception: your LLC's principal office address, which is also listed on the Articles of Organization, doesn't need to be in Minnesota. File online at sos.state.mn.us to begin the process from anywhere. Professional registered agent services are especially useful if your Minnesota LLC has a manager-managed structure where no individual member maintains regular office hours.
: Minnesota LLCs must file an annual renewal with the Minnesota Secretary of State by December 31 each year at no cost. The annual renewal fee is $0. This renewal confirms your LLC remains active and updates any changed contact or registered agent information. For example, if you form your LLC in March 2026, your first renewal is due December 31, 2026, just nine months later. Missing the December 31 deadline can result in administrative dissolution of your LLC. You must still file annual tax returns with both the IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue regardless of this free renewal. Exception: LLCs taxed as corporations have additional Minnesota corporate tax filing obligations. File your annual renewal for free at sos.state.mn.us to maintain continuous good standing. Missing the December 31 renewal deadline by even one day can trigger late processing and jeopardize your LLC's good standing with the state.
: Yes, you can file your Articles of Organization entirely online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at sos.state.mn.us, paying the $155 filing fee by credit or debit card. Online filing is the fastest method, placing your application into the processing queue immediately rather than waiting for mail delivery. You can also check the real-time status of your filing through the Secretary of State's online business search tool. Exception: if your LLC name contains certain restricted words such as 'bank' or 'trust,' the Secretary of State may require additional documentation before approving the filing. File at sos.state.mn.us and pay the $155 fee securely online. Minnesota's online filing system also lets you save a draft and return to it later, which is useful if you need time to gather all organizer addresses before submitting.
: License requirements for a Minnesota LLC depend on your specific business type, industry, and the city or county where you operate. Common requirements include a Minnesota sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue for retail businesses, professional licenses for regulated industries such as contractors, healthcare providers, or financial advisors, and local business licenses from your city or county. For example, a Minneapolis-based LLC selling physical goods needs both a state sales tax permit and a Minneapolis business license. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development maintains a business licensing guide to help identify state-level requirements, while your city or county clerk handles local permits. Exception: online-only businesses may still owe Minnesota sales tax on transactions to Minnesota customers. File for your licenses before starting operations to avoid penalties. A Minneapolis restaurant LLC, for example, needs both a state sales tax permit and a city food establishment license before opening.

Sources

7 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Minnesota sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so. Where we hold the citation but no stable public link, the citation is printed on its own rather than pointed at a guessed address.

Minnesota statute: Minn. Stat. §§ 322C.0113 and 5.36 (registered office and agent)
Minnesota statute: Minn. Stat. § 322C.0201 (articles of organization)
Minnesota statute: Minn. Stat. § 5.34(a)(5) (annual renewal contents)
sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-forms-fees/minnesota-limited-liability-company-forms/Minnesota Secretary of State: business entity filings
sos.mn.gov/media/2851/businessentityfees.pdfMinnesota LLC filing fees
revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/322C.0208Minnesota statute: Annual Renewal
sos.mn.gov/business-liens/renewals/Minnesota agency guidance: Annual Renewal

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$39 with Northwest, plus your $155 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($155 state fee, no service fee)

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose a Unique LLC Name

Set Up Your Registered Office (Registered Agent Optional)

File Articles of Organization

What You File in Minnesota

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses