FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in Minnesota
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in Minnesota. The name search sits with Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is optional if the LLC maintains a registered office. If appointed, the agent may be an individual resident of Minnesota or an entity authorized in Minnesota. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
File with Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services and pay the state formation fee of $155. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Annual Renewal deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
State fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Articles of Organization | $155 |
| Annual Renewal, each year | $0 |
| Annual state fee | None, $0 |
| Paid to the state, year one | $155 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $0 |
Registered agent rules in Minnesota
Who may serve: A registered agent is optional if the LLC maintains a registered office. If appointed, the agent may be an individual resident of Minnesota or an entity authorized in Minnesota.
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Registered office must be a physical street address in Minnesota. Formation is $155 online or in person and $135 by mail. A separate Minnesota minimum fee can apply to partnership taxed LLCs above a high property, payroll and sales threshold, so it is not recorded as a flat annual fee.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for Minnesota.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Annual Renewal. Fee: $0 each filing, each year.
Rule: Due by December 31 each calendar year. The next due dates on that fixed schedule are 2026-12-31, 2027-12-31, 2028-12-31.
Administrative dissolution for failure to file. Reinstatement costs $25 by mail or $45 online or in person.
What you pay the state every year after
You pay the state $0 every year after year one in Minnesota, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The formation service chart below adds each service route to these state fees.
What it costs to hand it over to a formation service company in Minnesota
Do not want the headache of filing all the paperwork yourself, or the worry of missing a deadline and falling out of good standing? No problem. Plenty of formation service companies are willing to take the whole burden off your hands. They file the form with the state, act as your registered agent, and remind you before every yearly filing comes due. This chart prices each one in Minnesota, with the state fees already added in, so you can see the full cost of handing it over.
| Formation service company | Plan | Registered agent | State filing fees, first year | State fees, every year after | Total, first year | Total, every year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | Basic, $0 | $0 in year one, then $149 a year | $155 | $0 | $155 | $149 |
| Northwest Registered Agent (our pick) | LLC formation, $39 | $0 in year one, then $125 a year | $155 | $0 | $194 | $125 |
| ZenBusiness | Starter, $0 | $199 a year | $155 | $0 | $354 | $199 |
| Tailor Brands | Lite, $0 | $199 a year | $155 | $0 | $354 | $199 |
| LegalZoom | Basic, $0 | $249 a year | $155 | $0 | $404 | $249 |
The plan price is printed with the plan name. The agent column is what that formation service company charges to act as your registered agent. In Minnesota, the state column is the Articles of Organization fee. Each total adds the state column for that year, the plan price, and the agent charge for that year. No add ons are included. Extras like an operating agreement cost more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Minnesota?
The state filing fee in Minnesota is $155 for the Articles of Organization. What you pay the state in year one comes to $155, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in Minnesota cost each year?
The recurring state charges in Minnesota are: Annual Renewal $0 each year. After year one, you pay the state $0 a year.
Do I need a registered agent in Minnesota?
Yes. A registered agent is optional if the LLC maintains a registered office. If appointed, the agent may be an individual resident of Minnesota or an entity authorized in Minnesota. Registered office must be a physical street address in Minnesota. Formation is $155 online or in person and $135 by mail. A separate Minnesota minimum fee can apply to partnership taxed LLCs above a high property, payroll and sales threshold, so it is not recorded as a flat annual fee.
When is the Annual Renewal due in Minnesota?
Due by December 31 each calendar year The fee is $0 each filing.
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services, https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.