The state filing fee to form an LLC in Minnesota is $155. Annual maintenance costs include annual renewal ($25) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Minnesota charges a $155 initial filing fee. The annual renewal is $25 due December 31 each year. Minnesota has no franchise tax on LLCs. Minnesota's formation fee is moderately high but ongoing costs are very low.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $155 | One-time at formation |
| Annual renewal | $25 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $229 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $74/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $525 |
The Minnesota state filing fee is $155. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($25) amount to approximately $229. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $74/year.
Yes - Minnesota requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Minnesota address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Minnesota address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual renewal: $25. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $74/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Minnesota, forming in Minnesota is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Minnesota, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Minnesota - paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Minnesota typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.
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