Minnesota Secretary of State

The Secretary of State of Minnesota is a legal body with many responsibilities. First of all, it is responsible for the executive branch. Secondly, it is important to know that all 87 counties abide by the work of the office.

Coming back to the office’s responsibilities, one should know that it rules elections. Consequently, it operates the voter registration system. They try to make the voting process as impartial, secure, and transparent as possible.

Besides, it also processes and deals with documents and programs like:  

• Notary public applications

• Filed documents

• Safe at Home program

• Address confidentiality program

Another responsibility, which we are going to review today, is the process of reviewing, approving, and filing documents. The Minnesota Secretary of State is working towards making the entrepreneurship setup process easier for its residents.

Minnesota Business Filings  

For business filings, there may be a need to provide some documentation to the office. For this, you may look through the website of the SOS. You can access the forms and fees as well. The cost of filings varies according to the type of company.

The office keeps a permanent record of all filings. Hence, all the paperwork must be legible, otherwise, it will be rejected. Original signatures are not necessary but are acceptable if they are legible. Typically, a copy or fax will be enough.

Other than these, one should also consider the points mentioned below.  

Entity Type

First of all, you must choose your company type. It may be:  

• Sole Proprietorship

• General Partnerships

• Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships

• Corporations

• Limited Liability Companies

• Special Types of Organizations

Given the list, you may wonder what type of structure is best for you. To do so, you have to understand the market and its potential. Besides, there are other factors to consider, such as cost and complexity, owner's liability, ownership transferability, etc.  

Company Name

After you decide on the structure, you are to choose a name. You must have an online account to check availability. For that, create an online account. In case you already have one, sign in.

Once you sign in, follow the instructions. Fill in the data in the search bar and see whether it is available.

Note: if you intend to use a commercial name other than the company’s full name, you have to register that as well. For this, you must file a Certificate of Assumed Name. The Minnesota Secretary of State will handle the process.

Corporation & Business Entity Search

It is important to conduct a search before you take any action. Depending on the type, you may need to meet different requirements.

Search the Minnesota Corporation Registry

Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's business search page. When you follow the link, you’ll see the necessary instructions.

Fill in the required details and click on the relevant button. Then, you will have access to the information you are looking for.

Perform a Multi-State Search

If you want to find a company that operates outside of Minnesota, you should check other jurisdictions as well.  

Find More Info on a Company

Besides the above-mentioned sources, you may also use public resources and web tools. They enable residents to find a company’s location, address, and phone number.  

How Much Does a Business License Cost in Minnesota?

There is a one-time fee when registering a firm. Filing the paperwork costs $155 whether done in person or online. However, if you choose to mail it, you will need to pay $135 only.

Can You Run a Business Without a License in Minnesota?

You may wonder whether you need a business license or not. To cut it short, you may need one. However, it depends on the type of your activities. For further details, you should contact the Department.