How to form an LLC in Minnesota in 6 steps

Follow these steps to start your business and ensure you’re in good standing with the state. 

1. Choose your business name

Before you start the business registration process, you need a name.

Your business name must be different enough to be distinguishable from other business names. In Minnesota, this means that it must have at least one letter or numeral different from another business. Acceptable differences include:

• Pluralization (Ex: Fine Wine Emporium vs. Fine Wines Emporium)
• Abbreviations (Ex: Mrs. Flo’s vs. Missus Flo’s)
• Misspellings (Ex: Quick Shop vs. Kwik Shop or Easy Peasy vs. EZ Peasy)
• Numerals or Roman numerals (Ex: Weed Killer 2 vs. Weed Killer II)
• Numerals or written out (Ex: These Three Bears vs. These 3 Bears)
• Entity designations (Ex: Roosevelt Inc. vs. Roosevelt LLC)

In addition to being different enough, your Minnesota business name should:

• Be in English
• Contain the words “limited liability company” or one of the following abbreviations: LLC, L.L.C., L. L. C.
• Not contain the word corporation
• Not imply that your business is organized for illegal activity
• Not include words implying association with a restricted or regulated industry, such as “bank” or “insurance,” unless those are business activities you are licensed to perform and you have proper authorization

Once you’ve chosen a business name that you like, you’ll perform a search on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website to confirm that name is available to use.

If another business has already reserved that name or is using it, then you’ll need to pick a different name.

2. Appoint a registered office

In Minnesota, you must maintain a registered office. A registered office is a physical location (not a P.O. box) where a person representing the business can be found. A registered office functions similarly to a registered agent, which is required by most other states for LLCs.

The registered office can be the place where the business is located or somewhere else. It must be a full address, including a zip code.

In Minnesota, you may designate a registered agent in addition to your registered office, though it is not required. A registered agent must be a person who is a resident of Minnesota or a business authorized to transact business in Minnesota. The agent must be available during regular business hours to accept any official paperwork that might need to be mailed to you. If you aren't sure you could be available to receive official paperwork for your business, you can hire a registered agent service.

If your LLC moves or changes its registered agent, you must submit a change of address/agent form to the Minnesota Secretary of State. 

3. File articles of organization

Your next step in starting your LLC Minnesota is to file your articles of organization. This document requires you to fill out your:

• Business name
• Registered office address
• Names and addresses of the organizers of the LLC
• Email address for official notices
• Phone number for questions about the form

The Articles of Information form can be filed online, in person, or by mail. When filing, you’ll be required to pay a filing fee. The fee differs based on how you submit the form.

• By mail: $135
• Online and in-person filing: $155