How to Start an LLC in Minnesota (2026)

From The Business Formation Podcast · 8:24

Show by The Business Formation Podcast

To start an LLC in Minnesota, you file Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State, and pay $155 online. Every step for 2026, including the registered office rules, the free annual renewal due December 31, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. The 3 best ways to file in Minnesota (2026) Mainstay Filing (our pick): $199/yr + state fee ($354 at checkout with Minnesota's $155 fee). Includes your Articles filed, your EIN application, your registered agent every year and your annual renewal filed by December 31. Renews at $199/yr. https://www.mainstayfiling.com/minnesota/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-minnesota MN Registered Agent.org: $199 + state fee ($354 at checkout). Prepares and files your Articles of Organization, with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.mnregisteredagent.org/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-minnesota Minnesota Registered Agent.co: $199 + state fee ($354 at checkout). Forms your Minnesota LLC with the first year of registered agent service free, then $99/yr. https://www.minnesotaregisteredagent.co/llc/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod-llc-minnesota Chapters 0:00 The short answer0:27 Step 1: Choose a name0:53 Step 2: Set up a registered office1:30 Step 3: File the Articles of Organization2:10 Step 4: Write an operating agreement2:35 Step 5: Get a free EIN3:03 Step 6: File the annual renewal3:27 What it costs4:07 Online or mail4:32 Why a registered office matters4:55 Why the renewal matters5:17 What the form asks for5:45 First-year checklist6:04 The 3 best ways to file in Minnesota7:26 Three years of service fees7:51 Recap Minnesota LLC facts (checked October 7, 2026) Filing: Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State online (MBLS portal) or in person: $155, expedited, typically 2 to 5 business days; by mail $135, not expedited. Name: must contain "limited liability company" or "LLC"; may not contain "corporation" or "incorporated." Reservation: one year, $55 online. Registered office: required, an actual office location in Minnesota (not solely a PO box). A registered agent is optional for a Minnesota LLC. Change: $55 online. Operating agreement: not filed. EIN: free from the IRS at IRS.gov. Annual renewal: free, due by December 31 each year starting the year after formation. A missed renewal means administrative termination; reinstatement $85 online. No beneficial ownership (BOI) report for U.S. companies (FinCEN). Sources Minnesota Articles of Organization (PDF): https://www.sos.mn.gov/media/1824/llcarticlesoforganization.pdf Minnesota Secretary of State fee schedule: https://www.sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-filing-and-certification-fee-schedule/ Minn. Stat. § 322C.0108 (name): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/322C.0108 Minn. Stat. § 5.36 (registered office and agent): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/5.36 Minn. Stat. § 322C.0208 (annual renewal): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/322C.0208 Minn. Stat. § 322C.0705: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/322C.0705 IRS, Get an EIN: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number FinCEN, BOI: https://www.fincen.gov/boi Company prices from each company's own page and checkout, October 7, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.

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