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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota

Minnesota calls it the Certificate of Good Standing and charges $15. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Good Standing
State fee
$15
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Same-day email for online orders ($15, auto-expedited)
Issuing office
Minnesota SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Minnesota SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the Minnesota portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $15 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for Minnesota

Minnesota charges more for online ($15) than by mail ($5) because online orders are automatically expedited. Order through the Minnesota Business Services Portal at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov - search for the entity, click Details, then Order Certificate. Payment by Visa/Mastercard/Discover/Amex. Certificate delivered by email link within 90 days of order. Mail requests go to MN Secretary of State Certification, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Dr. Suite 100, St. Paul MN 55103 with the Business Certificate/Copy Request Form. The Annual Renewal (FREE to file but must be filed by December 31 each year) must be current.

Processing and expedited tiers: Same-day email for online orders ($15, auto-expedited); 4-5 business days by mail ($5)

Important to know about Minnesota

  • Minnesota is one of the ONLY states where mail ($5) is cheaper than online ($15) - online orders auto-include expedited processing. Choose based on how fast you need it.
  • Minnesota LLC Annual Renewal is FREE to file but REQUIRED by December 31 each year. Missing December 31 administratively dissolves the LLC - no grace period. Reinstatement is available by filing the current year renewal and paying the reinstatement fee.
  • The online certificate download link expires after 90 days. Download immediately and save the PDF; re-ordering costs $15 again.
  • Minnesota SOS does not charge late fees for missed annual renewals - instead they simply dissolve the LLC after December 31. This is harsher than a late fee structure.
  • The mail-in form is "Business Certificate/Copy Request Form" - downloadable from sos.mn.gov. Using the wrong form causes rejection.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your Minnesota LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

Minnesota foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Minnesota Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Minnesota SOS before ordering.