How to search Minnesota records
- Search by business name or file number and filter to "Business Entities" or "Assumed Names".
- Check the "Renewal Due Date" field for each entity.
- Read the "Filing History" tab for every annual renewal.
Open the official Minnesota search
Minnesota SOS, corporation and LLC search
MN SOS Business Search
The MN SOS business search is run by the Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services through its Business Filings Online search. Related queries such as "MN Secretary of State business lookup" reach the same free database. Search by name first, then reopen the record by its file number so you are reading one exact entity. The step-by-step instructions above walk through the screens.
Minnesota Entity Search
An entity search of the Minnesota business registry returns every registered type at once: domestic and foreign LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofits. Read the status first, then the formation date and the registered agent. Because Minnesota expects an annual renewal yearly, a lapsed filing usually shows up as a status change before the entity is dissolved.
Minnesota Corporation Search
A corporation search uses the same index as LLCs, so filter by entity type if the name is common. Searches typed as "MN sec of state corp search" land here too. The record shows whether it is a for-profit corporation or a nonprofit, and the entity types guide explains how each one appears. Corporations are formed by filing articles of incorporation, so the formation date on the record is the date those articles took effect.
Minnesota LLC Lookup
Run the Minnesota LLC lookup with the exact name, then note the file number. Forming a Minnesota LLC costs $155, and the annual renewal carries no flat fee. Whether members appear depends on the filings; our LLC lookup guide covers what the state shows, and the business owner lookup covers what it does not. A state record never shows an EIN; use the EIN lookup for that.
Minnesota Business Name Search
A Minnesota business name search shows names already on file, not names the state will accept. Minnesota lets you hold a name for 365 days for $55 (online price). The name claim guide lists the checks to run before you file, including trademarks and DBA names.
MN Business License Lookup
A Minnesota entity record is not a business license. Licenses come from the state board for a regulated trade or from the city or county where the business operates, so check those separately. The business verification checklist lists which official records to pull and in what order.
Minnesota Tax ID Lookup
A Minnesota tax ID can mean the federal EIN from the IRS or a state account number from the Minnesota tax agency for sales or payroll tax. Neither appears in the business entity record. The EIN lookup covers the federal number; the state tax agency confirms its own accounts.
A free renewal with one statewide deadline
Minnesota charges nothing for its annual renewal and sets a single deadline for every entity, December 31. Missing it leads to administrative termination, and filing the renewal reinstates the entity. The search portal combines business entities, assumed names and UCC liens without a login.
Minnesota filing facts
| Record number | File number |
|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $155. Online Articles of Organization ($135 by mail). |
| Recurring filing | Annual renewal, $0, yearly |
| Due | December 31 |
| Name reservation | $55 for 365 days. Online price. |
| Agency phone | 651-296-2803 |
What a Minnesota LLC costs in its first three years
First recurring filing assumed in year 2; state charges only.
| Year | Formation | Recurring filing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $155 | $0 | $155 |
| Year 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Three-year state total | $155 | ||
Assumed names must be published
Minnesota is one of the few states that requires a newspaper notice after filing an assumed name, for two consecutive issues; see DBA. Minnesota also offers its full business file monthly, free for non-commercial use and $710 for commercial use, with a $30 file of active business names and addresses, according to the Secretary of State; see data downloads by state.
Researching Minnesota companies
Because Minnesota combines entities, assumed names and UCC liens behind one search, you can check a company's legal name, its brands and its secured lenders in one session. The December 31 renewal means Minnesota records refresh at the start of each year, so January is the best time to rely on them.
How Minnesota compares with its neighbors
| State | LLC filing | Yearly upkeep | Report cycle | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | Yearly | $55 |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 | Yearly | $15 |
| Iowa | $50 | $22.50 | Every 2 years | $10 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | Yearly | $10 |
Before you rely on a Minnesota result
- A missed renewal leads to administrative termination, and reinstatement is possible by filing the renewal.
- Minnesota assumed names must be published in a newspaper for two consecutive issues after filing.
Bulk Minnesota business data
Free in part. Free for non-commercial use; $710 for commercial use; $30 active-business name and address file. Full bulk file created monthly; account and request form required. An ad-supported site counts as commercial use. Official source
Searching beyond Minnesota
Registries next to Minnesota: Wisconsin business search, Iowa business search, North Dakota business search.
Minnesota business search questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Minnesota?
The state filing fee is $155. Online Articles of Organization ($135 by mail). Keeping the LLC on file then averages $0 a year in state fees.
When is the Minnesota annual report due?
Minnesota calls it the annual renewal. There is no filing fee, it is filed yearly, and it is due December 31.
Can I reserve a business name in Minnesota?
Yes. A name reservation costs $55 and holds the name for 365 days. Online price.
Is there a fee for the Minnesota annual renewal?
No. The renewal is free and due December 31 for every entity.
Is the Minnesota business entity search free?
Yes. Searching the Business Filings Online search costs nothing. The Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services charges only for certified copies and certificates of good standing.
Who keeps business records in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services. Its business line is 651-296-2803, and its free search is the Business Filings Online search.
What number identifies a business in Minnesota?
Minnesota assigns each entity a file number. It is different from the federal EIN and from the number the same company holds in any other state, and searching by it returns exactly one record.
Can I download a list of all Minnesota businesses?
Partly. Full bulk file created monthly; account and request form required. An ad-supported site counts as commercial use.
Sources
Data Updated Recently