SOS Business Search

Minnesota Secretary of State office — contact & fees

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

The Minnesota Secretary of State's Business Services division registers all entities, processes annual renewals, and maintains public filing records. The First National Bank Building office in St. Paul is the walk-in location; counter visits require an appointment. Online filings carry a flat $20 additional fee compared to mail-in rates.

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Office contact

Address
First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, St. Paul, MN 55101
Business Services phone
(651) 296-2803
Toll-free (Greater MN)
1-877-551-6767
Business Services email
business.services@state.mn.us
Fax
(651) 297-7067
Counter hours (by appointment)
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Filing portal
mblsportal.sos.mn.gov
Fee schedule
sos.mn.gov — Fee Schedule

Entity formation and filing fees

Most Minnesota filing fees are $20 higher online than by mail; certificates and document copies carry a smaller $10 online surcharge instead. Fees below show both rates. Annual renewals are free for most domestic entities — one of the more business-friendly renewal policies in the country. Verify current amounts at the live fee schedule before filing.

Domestic LLC — Articles of Organization

Fee (by mail / online)
$135 by mail / $155 online

Domestic LLC — Annual Renewal

Fee (by mail / online)
$0 by mail / $0 online

Domestic Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee (by mail / online)
$135 by mail / $155 online

Domestic Profit Corporation — Annual Renewal

Fee (by mail / online)
$0 by mail / $0 online

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee (by mail / online)
$70 by mail / $90 online

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Annual Renewal

Fee (by mail / online)
$0 by mail / $0 online

Domestic LLP — Annual Renewal

Fee (by mail / online)
$135 by mail / $155 online

Foreign Profit Corporation — Annual Renewal

Fee (by mail / online)
$115 by mail / $135 online

Name Reservation

Fee (by mail / online)
$35 by mail / $55 online

Certificate of Good Standing / Certificate of Existence & Registration

Fee (by mail / online)
$5 by mail / $15 online

Copy of Original Filing (uncertified)

Fee (by mail / online)
$3 by mail / $13 online

Certification of Filing(s)

Fee (by mail / online)
+$5 per certification (mail or online)

New business identity theft protections (January 1, 2026)

Minnesota law now gives new legal protections to business owners whose entity records are fraudulently altered by someone else — a growing scam where a bad actor files a renewal or amendment on an existing business to hijack it. Business owners can check their entity's renewal due date and filing history anytime through the online Business Records Search, and should report unauthorized filings through the Secretary of State's Business Identity Recovery process.

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

Beyond business entity filings, the Secretary of State also runs three other public-facing services:

  • UCC search and filing — a standard search costs $20 per debtor name.
  • Notary public commissions — a $120 state fee for a new commission, reappointment, or renewal, plus a separate $20 county recording fee.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $5 per document.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State UCC and Notary & Apostille pages (sos.mn.gov).

Key Minnesota state licensing agencies

Minnesota Department of Revenue

What it covers
State tax registration, sales and use tax, income tax withholding, business tax accounts

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, employer accounts, workforce programs
Website
mn.gov/deed

Minnesota Department of Commerce

What it covers
Professional licensing — insurance, banking, real estate, financial services; contractor registration
Website
mn.gov/commerce

Frequently Asked Questions

What protections does Minnesota offer against business identity theft?

Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota law gives business owners new protections against fraudulent renewals or amendments filed on their entity by someone else. Owners can check their renewal due date and filing history through the online Business Records Search and report unauthorized filings through the Business Identity Recovery process.

Is it cheaper to file online or by mail in Minnesota?

By mail, generally. Most Minnesota filing fees are $20 higher online than by mail — for example, LLC Articles of Organization cost $135 by mail versus $155 online. Certificates and document copies carry a smaller $10 online surcharge instead.

Do I need an appointment to visit the Minnesota Secretary of State office?

Yes. The Business Services division's walk-in location is the First National Bank Building in St. Paul, and counter visits require an appointment.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to Minnesota — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Iowa Secretary of State North Dakota Secretary of State South Dakota Secretary of State Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions Illinois Business Services Division Michigan Corporations Division (LARA)

Helpful Guides

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Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.

How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

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LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

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Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.

LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

Registering an entity with the state isn't the same as holding a license to operate it — here's where licenses actually come from.

UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

Uniform Commercial Code filings show which lenders have a claim on a company's assets — here's how to search them and what the results mean.