FILING DOCUMENTS WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE
Drafting and Preparing Documents • Free standard forms for business entities (LLC, corporation, nonprofit, etc.) are available from the Secretary of State online at Business Forms & Fees or by mail. These meet basic legal requirements but may not fit every situation; legal counsel can help tailor documents to your needs and ensure you understand their legal impact. • Documents must be legible. Since all filings become part of the state’s permanent electronic record, unreadable documents will be rejected. Documents that are illegible are not accepted for filing. • Copies and legible faxes are usually acceptable; original signatures are only required if legibility is at issue. Most filings can be made using scanned or photocopied signatures. Fees and Payment • Each filing must be accompanied by the correct fee. A current fee schedule appears at the end of this section. • Payment is possible online or by mail; guidance on secure online payments is provided on the state’s website. Information regarding online payments is available from the Office of the Secretary of State at How to Make a Payment. Online Filing and Processing • Most filings may be completed online for immediate processing. Start by creating a online account with the Secretary of State and login. You can find more information about creating an online account at How to Create an Account. • Paper filings are reviewed upon receipt (or the next business day for drop-offs) but may be delayed by volume or complexity.
Common Reasons Documents Are Rejected • Incomplete addresses (must include street, city/town, and ZIP code). • Incorrect fee amount.
• Missing or improper signatures. All initial incorporators (corporation) or organizers (LLC) must sign the original; subsequent or amendment filings require an authorized person’s signature, as defined in bylaws or organizational documents.
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