Minnesota doesn't call its yearly filing an "annual report." Instead, you submit an Annual Renewal, a brief snapshot that informs the Secretary of State that your company is still in operation.
The form updates public records with your current principal office, registered agent, and key managers, ensuring legal notices and lenders can reach you.
If you operate a business registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State, you need to file an annual renewal. The requirement covers nearly every domestic entity and any foreign company qualified to do business in the state. You must file if you're a:
A few entities don't file annually. Foreign nonprofit corporations are generally excluded from the Secretary of State's annual renewal requirement for foreign corporations. Foreign cooperatives, however, do have an annual renewal requirement (and associated fee).
Minnesota is flexible about who can file. You, a fellow owner, an officer, a member, or a manager, can handle it. Registered agents, attorneys, accountants, and third-party compliance services are also acceptable filers.
Minnesota gives you three ways to submit your annual renewal: online, by mail, or in person. Online is the fastest option, but paper and walk-in options are available if you prefer traditional methods or need last-minute help.
The online filing takes minutes once you have your entity ID and contact information ready. Here's how it works:
Paper filing means downloading the form, filling it out, and mailing it with a check to the Secretary of State. Walk-in filing at the Saint Paul office during business hours costs the same as online, but you leave with a stamped receipt immediately.
Online expedited filings are generally returned electronically within 3 to 5 business days. In-person submissions are processed while you wait. Mailed reports depend on postal delivery and manual entry, so expect longer turnaround times.
Minnesota keeps things simple: almost every business renewal hits the same calendar-year finish line. Your corporation, LLC, partnership, cooperative, or religious corporation must file its annual renewal by December 31 each year.
Charitable organizations follow a different clock. If your charity registers with the Attorney General, the annual report is due on the 15th day of the seventh month after your fiscal year-end (July 15 for calendar-year organizations). A four-month extension is available if requested on or before the due date.
Minnesota keeps it simple. Most domestic businesses file their annual renewal for free, regardless of whether you submit online, mail it in, or walk it to the counter. The table below shows exactly what you'll pay.
Before you open the Minnesota Business Filings Online portal, gather everything the form is going to ask for. The state asks every entity for the same core data:
Once those basics are in, the form branches depending on who you are.
If any of that information has changed since last year, updating it here keeps you in good standing and avoids a separate amendment filing.
Minnesota makes signatures easy. Electronic signatures are accepted online, and the paper form can be mailed with a copy of a handwritten signature—no wet-ink original is required.
If you fail to file by December 31, the entity can be statutorily dissolved/terminated/revoked without further notice. Because the state charges no late fee for most entities, the first sign of trouble is often the notice that your corporation or LLC has been administratively dissolved or revoked the following year.
Immediate consequences include:
Reinstatement requirements:
Can I file my Minnesota annual report early?
Yes, you can file as early as January 1 of the calendar year.
What if I need to amend my annual report after filing?
Certain changes (like entity name or registered agent/office) require a separate amendment filing with associated fees. Contact the Secretary of State for guidance on what changes require an amendment versus what can wait until the next renewal.
How long does it take to process my annual report?
Online expedited filings are generally returned electronically within 3 to 5 business days. In-person submissions get stamped on the spot. Mailed reports depend on postal delivery and manual entry, so expect processing times from a few days to a couple of weeks.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?
Once your renewal is accepted, order a Certificate of Good Standing through the same Business Filings Online portal.
Is multi-year filing available?
No. Minnesota requires a fresh annual renewal every calendar year—no prepaying or combining multiple years allowed.
Minnesota's December 31 filing window creates year-end pressure, especially when managing multiple entities across different states. The state's varying fee structures for different entity types (from free domestic renewals to $155 for LLPs) add complexity that can lead to missed deadlines and administrative dissolution.
Discern lifts this burden by automating the entire process. Our compliance platform centralizes multi-state entity management in one dashboard, sending reminders before the Minnesota deadline so you never scramble at the last minute. The system pre-fills annual renewal forms directly from your entity record, cutting out repetitive data entry.
Ready to simplify your Minnesota compliance? Book a demo with Discern today.
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