An MN LLC renewal is an annual renewal for an LLC. In many other states, it's called the annual report. It's the yearly renewal that keeps a business in good standing. 

Annual Renewal Instructions in Minnesota

All existing LLCs in Minnesota are required to file an annual renewal every year. These renewals may update business information on file with the state, such as the following: 

  • Names and addresses of LLC officers and members 
  • Business address 
  • Mailing address (if different) 
  • Registered agent name and address

Business owners have to file annual renewals to keep their LLCs in good standing and in compliance with the state.

You have two ways to file a renewal: by mail or online. Online filing is easier and quicker, so that's the recommended method. As long as your LLC is in good standing, there's no fee to file an annual renewal. However, if your LLC failed to file a renewal and was then dissolved, or shut down, you'll have to pay fees to have it reinstated. Online fees are $45, and mail-in fees are $25.

Mail-in filings can take four to seven business days to process. Online filings are processed immediately. The deadline for the state to receive annual renewals is Dec. 31. Your initial renewal is due the year after your LLC was formed. For example, if your LLC was approved on May 20, 2018, your first renewal is due Dec. 31, 2019.

You should file your renewal as early in the year as possible. If the state doesn't receive it by the deadline, it will dissolve your business. You can file your annual renewal as early as Jan. 1.

The secretary of state office sends email and postcard reminders in the fall. These reminders typically go to a business's registered agent. 

Instructions for Filing an Annual Renewal by Mail

  1. To mail in filing paperwork, you can download the annual renewal form from the secretary of state.
  2. Print it, complete it, and sign it. You'll need to enter your file number. If you don't know it, you can find it either in your business's approval documents or online by doing a business search for your LLC name. 
  3. Under Home Jurisdiction, enter Minnesota.
  4. In the Business Name field, write your LLC's complete name, and include the designator at the end, such as Limited Liability Company or LLC.
  5. On the line for Alternate Name, you'll fill this in if you're a foreign LLC or an LLC that was formed in another state but is registering to do business in Minnesota.
  6. Complete the information for your LLC's registered agent, including the name and physical address. Registered agents who are individuals must be state residents. If a company acts as your registered agent, it must have authorization to do business in Minnesota.
  7. Other information to fill out includes the executive office address, which may be one of the following: your home residence, your registered agent's address, or an office address.
  8. Enter information for your LLC's chief manager, or the person who runs your company's day-to-day operations.
  9. Enter your business email address so the state can send online reminders about annual renewals. You might want to check the box for not allowing your email to be purchased so you avoid getting a lot of spam email.
  10. Enter the name and phone number of a contact person. If the state needs to contact someone about your LLC, this is who they will call. Most likely, you'll be your business's contact person.

You won't have to pay any fees for your annual renewal as long as your business is in good standing, but you will have to send in a $25 fee if your LLC was dissolved for failure to file a renewal in the past. Send your form and fees (if applicable) to the mailing address for the secretary of state.

You won't get a confirmation if you mail in your annual renewal. To confirm it's been received and processed, you can conduct a search at the state website and look under Renewal History for the filing date.

It's worth filing your renewal early to keep your LLC in compliance and in good standing. That way, you avoid unnecessary fees, additional paperwork, and the hassle of reinstating your business.

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