Minnesota charges $155 for online Articles of Organization submissions and $135 for paper filings, per the Minnesota SOS fee schedule. Online filings count as expedited and are estimated to clear within 3 to 5 business days (processing times vary; confirm current estimates with the SOS), the faster route to approval.

There are no annual renewal fees. You file one informational annual report by December 31 each year at no cost, unlike most states that require an annual report and charge for it.

Current Minnesota LLC filing fees

The fee depends on the submission method and whether you want expedited handling.

All three fees appear on the SOS fee schedule. Minn. Stat. § 322C.0201, Subd. 4(a) sets the base formation fee at $135, and Minn. Stat. § 5.14 authorizes the expedited surcharge that brings online and in-person filings to $155. Mail filings are processed non-expedited, first in, first out; the public counter takes only a scheduled appointment, with slots opening 14 days in advance.

The wider Minnesota LLC formation cost breakdown and the steps to form a Minnesota LLC go beyond this single fee.

Minnesota's $0 annual renewal fee is codified in Minn. Stat. § 322C.0208(b): "no fee is required to file an annual renewal." The renewal is still a mandatory Minnesota LLC compliance requirement, due December 31.

How Minnesota's filing fees compare to other states

Minnesota's initial filing cost sits above its neighbors, and unlike most states that require annual reports, its renewal costs nothing.

Wisconsin's figures are per the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Iowa's are per the Iowa Secretary of State. North Dakota's are per the North Dakota Secretary of State. South Dakota's annual report fee was raised by $5, effective July 1, 2025, per the South Dakota Secretary of State.

A 50-state study by LLC State Guide puts the mean formation fee at $130, the median at $100, and the range at $35 to $500, so Minnesota's $155 runs above average. Wolters Kluwer reports annual report fees from no fee to $300 or more and lists Minnesota among the states, with Idaho, Mississippi, and Montana, that require a report but charge no fee.

Over five years, North Dakota's $135 formation plus five $50 reports totals $385; a Minnesota LLC still owes only its $155.

Minnesota's corporation franchise tax applies to C corporations, so Minnesota franchise tax obligations don't reach LLCs, and Chapter 322C formation requires no newspaper publication. The Minn. Stat. § 290.0922 minimum fee does reach LLCs taxed as partnerships: $0 below $1,020,000 of Minnesota property, payroll, and sales, scaling to $10,210 at the top bracket.

Additional filing fees to consider

Several optional or situational charges may apply later:

The late renewal penalty is set under Minn. Stat. § 5.60, effective July 1, 2025, which the SOS may require when an entity terminated for a missed renewal files to renew or reinstate. An owner may serve as their own agent, but an entity may not act as its own agent.

Let Discern streamline your Minnesota LLC filings

Discern handles the Secretary of State compliance layer for Minnesota LLCs: entity formation, registered agent coverage with electronic document delivery and real-time notifications, and automated annual renewal filings created ahead of the December 31 deadline so the renewal is prepared and filed before the deadline passes.

For businesses operating beyond Minnesota, Discern manages registered agents, annual reports, formations, and foreign registrations across 51+ jurisdictions from one platform. Annual report filings across 51 jurisdictions take less than 15 minutes, and customers with 200+ state registrations spend 5 to 10 minutes annually on compliance.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Minnesota?

Filing Articles of Organization costs $155 online or in person and $135 by mail. Online filings are expedited and estimated to process within 3 to 5 business days.

What is the MN LLC annual renewal fee?

There is no fee. Minn. Stat. § 322C.0208(b) requires an informational renewal by December 31 each year and states that no fee is required to file it.

What happens if I miss the December 31 renewal deadline?

Under Minn. Stat. § 322C.0705(a), the LLC is administratively terminated. The SOS may also require the late penalty of up to $40 under Minn. Stat. § 5.60.

Does a Minnesota LLC need a registered agent?

Under Minn. Stat. § 322C.0113, a domestic LLC must maintain a registered office in Minnesota, while naming a registered agent is optional. Minn. Stat. § 5.36, Subd. 1 and SOS form guidance require an actual office address rather than only a P.O. box, and SOS guidance says an entity may not act as its own agent. Foreign LLCs must appoint an agent.

Is there a fee to reserve an LLC name in Minnesota before filing?

Yes. A name reservation costs $55 online or $35 by mail and holds your chosen name while you prepare your Articles of Organization.