Minnesota Articles of Incorporation
Minnesota articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | Minnesota Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $135 by mail. $155 online or expedited in-person. |
| Turnaround: | ~5-7 business days by mail. ~24hrs online. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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Other Helpful Minnesota Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Minnesota.
Minnesota Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: Natural persons.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporation provide otherwise.
Minnesota Officers
- Chief executive and chief financial officers required. May be the same person.
Minnesota Bylaws
- Required: No.
Minnesota Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: No.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
Minnesota Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
