Start an LLC in Minnesota

When naming your LLC in Minnesota, it’s essential to follow state-specific requirements, such as ensuring your chosen name is distinguishable from existing businesses on record with the Minnesota Secretary of State and includes an appropriate designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.” Beyond legal compliance, think strategically about the bigger picture:

• Choose a name that clearly reflects your brand identity and the services you offer, helping customers immediately understand what you do.
• Check domain availability early so you can secure a matching website address and strengthen your online presence.
• Select a name that is simple, memorable, and easy to spell, making it easier for customers to find, recall, and recommend your business.

After choosing your LLC’s name, a smart next step is securing a domain name for your business website. Your domain name (URL) is the address people use to find your site online, so it’s important to pick one that’s professional, easy to remember, and ideally matches or complements your business name. Registering your domain early increases your chances of getting a name that fits these standards before someone else claims it.

To officially claim your domain, you’ll need to register it through a domain registrar. If you form your LLC with Northwest, domain registration is included as part of their in-house services. This means you’ll also receive a customizable business website secured with SSL protection, along with up to ten business email addresses connected to your domain.

All LLCs in the state are required to appoint an Minnesota registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or a company (like Northwest) designated to receive legal and state mail on behalf of your business.

Your Minnesota registered agent must:

• Have a physical address in Minnesota (no P.O. Boxes)
• Be present at that address during regular business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)
• Agree to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC

Hire Northwest as your registered agent, and get more. You get access to a host of business services all geared toward creating and maintaining your business identity: online and off.

Once you’re ready to make your business official, you’ll need to file your Minnesota Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. This filing makes your LLC official and costs $135 if submitted by mail or in person, or $155 if filed online. Keep in mind that all information included in your Articles of Organization becomes part of the public record, so it’s important to ensure everything is accurate and complete before submitting.

• Company name: Your business name must comply with Minnesota statutes—it must be distinguishable from other businesses on record and include “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC.”
• Registered agent: Provide the name and physical street address of your Minnesota registered agent.
• Organizer: This is the person completing and submitting the Articles of Organization—if you file yourself, it’s you; if you hire a service, they will act as the organizer.
• Email: The address where the Secretary of State will send official notices.
• Contact information: The state will use this name and phone number if there’s an issue with your filing.
• Minnesota business snapshot (optional): You may choose to complete a short survey about your business.

An operating agreement is basically a how-to manual for your business. Operating agreements are not legally required in Minnesota, but most businesses choose to adopt one anyway.

Operating agreements tell other people how to run the business if you’re not there to manage a situation, and hold the business accountable to itself. You can put anything from membership interest to dissolving the business in here.

Tip: Since operating agreements are legally binding documents, they can be confusing to start. That’s why we had our attorneys draft a Minnesota operating agreement template. It’s free to use!

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is an unique number given to businesses by the IRS for tax purposes. It’s a lot like a social security number. Technically, you don’t have to get an EIN. But without one, you can’t hire employees, have more than one member, change tax status, or open a business bank account. Plus, you’ll have to use your personal social security number on things like vendor documents if you don’t have an EIN.

Tip: You can get an EIN directly with the IRS, or hire us to take care of it for you.

All LLCs operating in Minnesota are required to file an annual renewal by December 31 each year. The annual renewal is a report that updates the state on your business’s contact and ownership information. The good news? Unlike most states, the Minnesota Annual Renewal is completely free to file!

Tip: If you’re worried about remembering your annual renewal, you can hire us to file for you!

All LLCs have liability protection, meaning that their business is by default a separate entity than its owners. However, that liability protection can be weakened if the business and the owners mix finances. This can happen if your business doesn’t have a separate bank account apart from your personal finances.

To open a business bank account, you’ll need your LLC’s Articles of Organization, operating agreement, EIN, and an LLC Resolution to Open a Bank Account.