In Minnesota, a company proves it is in good standing with a certificate from the Secretary of State. The state calls it a Certificate of Good Standing, and for some entity types a Certificate of Existence and Registration. The Minnesota office guide covers searches, fees and contacts.
This page is about that one certificate and what stands in the way of getting it.
What does the Minnesota certificate cost?
The state lists $5 per certificate by mail. Online, the price is $15, made up of $5 for the certificate and a $10 online transaction fee. Certificates and copies are separate orders, so a copy of your articles does not come with it.
| What the state calls it | Certificate of Good Standing (called Certificate of Existence and Registration for some entity types) (sos.mn.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $5 mail or in person, $15 online (sos.mn.gov, checked ) |
| Where to order | mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search (sos.mn.gov, checked ) |
Which certificate will you receive?
The type follows the entity. A Certificate of Good Standing is for domestic and foreign corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, LLPs and LPs. A Certificate of Existence and Registration is for assumed names, name reservations and general entities.
The certificate is a stand-alone certified document. It lists the business name, file number, original filing date, Minnesota statute, home jurisdiction and the date issued.
How do you order it online?
- Sign in to your online account, or create one.
- Search by business name or file number on the Business Name tab.
- Click Details on the right side of the result.
- Click Order Certificate. A message shows the business name and the certificate type. Click OK.
- Check the delivery email, which defaults to your account and cannot be changed. Add an optional client reference.
- Review and submit, write down the order number, and continue to payment. You can pay without registering with the bank's payment page.
- Download the certificate from your email, or from Transaction History. Orders stay available for 90 days.
The billing address you type must match the card, or the payment fails and you must place a new order.
How do you order by mail?
Fill in the Copy Request Form. Print the entity's record details page and attach it. Mail both with payment to the Minnesota Secretary of State, First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, St. Paul. Make the check payable to MN Secretary of State.
What blocks a Minnesota certificate?
The record decides. The search shows two statuses, and only one works for you.
Every status word Minnesota uses is explained in our Minnesota office guide.
Inactive often means the company was administratively dissolved for a missed annual renewal. The renewal is due by December 31 each year, it is free for domestic LLCs, and a domestic LLC reinstatement costs $85 online or $65 by mail. A company inactive for more than six years cannot be reinstated online.
So the order of steps is plain. Check the status, renew or reinstate if needed, and only then order the certificate.
Who asks for it?
Banks, licensing agencies and parties to a deal often want one. Another state may ask for it before registering your Minnesota company there. You can check what other states call it in our certificate of good standing guide.
If you want the filing handled for you, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can order from the Secretary of State yourself.
Sources
- www.sos.mn.gov/media/1687/businessentityfees.pdf: good standing certificate, certificate fee. Checked .
- www.sos.mn.gov/media/4817/how-to-order-copies.pdf: certificate ordering. Checked .