How to File Articles of Incorporation in Minnesota

Completing and filing your Minnesota Articles of Incorporation is necessary for forming a corporation in the land of a thousand lakes. We’ll walk you through the form and show you how to submit it.

Introduction to Minnesota Articles of Incorporation

If you’re ready to move ahead with your business goals of starting a corporation in Minnesota, then you need to file Articles of Incorporation. This is one of the vital steps you need to complete. You can learn more about the incorporation process in our How to Form a Minnesota Corporation guide.

Once your Articles of Incorporation are fully prepared, the paperwork must be submitted to the Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Services Division. The applicable Minnesota statutes for completing and filing the Articles of Incorporation are found in Chapter 302A of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act.

When preparing your Articles of Incorporation, remember that all the information in these documents will be publicly accessible.

How to Complete the Articles of Incorporation Form

When filing Minnesota Articles of Incorporation, you have options for online, mail, or in-person filing. Downloadable forms and the online filing process can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS) website. The business and liens website section allows you to submit your business paperwork online. Foreign (out-of-state) corporation forms are also available on the SOS website.

The following questions must be answered on the Articles of Incorporation form:

• Article 1: Corporation Name – Provide the name of your corporation, which must be unique and include the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” or “limited.” It can also contain an abbreviation of one of these words. “Company” or “Co.” may be used instead, as long as it isn’t immediately preceded by “and” or “&.” You can search the SOS website to see if your business name is available. You’ll have to create an online account to confirm whether your top name choice is available. If your name is available, you have the option to let us reserve it for you so no one else takes it while you’re getting your papers in order.
• Article 2: Registered Agent – Confirm the registered office address, which must be a Minnesota street address and not a P.O. box. List the name of the registered agent available at this address to receive legal notices and official government correspondence in person during standard business hours. Learn more about our Minnesota registered agent services from ZenBusiness.
• Article 3: Shares – List the total number of authorized shares. The minimum number is one.
• Article 4: Incorporators – Provide the addresses and signatures of all incorporators. They must have a valid street address. Only one incorporator is required, and the individual must be 18 years or older. You may include two or more incorporators, with an additional sheet attached for more names and addresses.
• Contact: Below the incorporators’ signatures, fill in an email address where official notices from the Secretary of State can be sent. There’s a checkbox if you wish to exclude your email from bulk data requests. Also, list a name and daytime number for an individual who’s available to discuss the form as necessary.

The Minnesota Business Snapshot is an optional survey to collect business data about employees, ownership group, industry, and gross revenues. If you choose to answer these questions, you can do so on the Articles of Incorporation form. Keep in mind the information you provide could be shared with state agencies or the public for purposes of data analysis.

Supplemental Forms for Minnesota Incorporation

Professional corporations must include a statement acknowledging that the firm is subject to and elects to operate in line with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 319B.01 to 319B.12. This statement must also list the professional service the corporation has the authority to perform in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 319B.02.

Foreign corporations also require a Certificate of Authority to transact and conduct business in Minnesota.

How to Submit Your Minnesota Articles of Incorporation

The state charges a filing fee for your Articles of Incorporation; check the SOS website for the latest filing fees. For assistance, you can call or email their office. All current contact information is on their website.

Five to 15 business days is the estimated turnaround time for online, in-person, and mail filings. Mail filing may take slightly longer than the online or in-person options. The expedited filing option will be closer to seven to 10 business days. These timelines can vary by the time of year and the volume of filings.

After you file, you’ll want to make sure you stay in good standing with the state. Use our Worry-Free Compliance service to put your mind at ease and focus on what’s important. We’ll send you reminders about important dates and file your annual report.

Conclusion

ZenBusiness can complete the Minnesota Articles of Incorporation for you with our business formation plans. Learn more about our high-quality support services for starting a business and get started today.