How To Search Minnesota Business Entities
- How To Search Minnesota Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Minnesota?
- Why Conduct a Minnesota Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Minnesota Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Minnesota?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Minnesota?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Minnesota?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Minnesota?
- Additional Information Available on the Minnesota Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Minnesota
Minnesota records more than 80,000 new business filings annually. In 2023, the state recorded 97,450 new business filings. Of this number, more than 62,000 are limited liability companies. Minnesota business registrations are handled by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
The Minnesota Secretary of State allows the public to search for business entities registered in the state. Business entities may be searched for various purposes including conducting due diligence and ensuring that transactions are not done with a fraudulent entity.
Choose Your Search Criteria
You may perform a search on the business filings online page by:
Entity NameYou may search by part of the business name. If no results appear, use options like search scope, filing status, or 'include prior names'.
File NumberSearch using the business's file number, a unique serial assigned at registration.
Review Search Results
Upon providing the business name or file number in the search field, click on the “search” button. Below the field, you will get a list of matches. In addition to the business names, you may view their business type and name type.
Further Assistance
If you need further assistance in finding a business entity in Minnesota, contact the Office of the Secretary of State at:
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201
St. Paul, MN 55101
Metro Area: (651) 296-2803
Greater MN: 1-877-551-6767
MN Relay Service: 711
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Minnesota?
The first place to look to find the owner of a business entity is the website of the business entity. Most entities put ownership information on their websites. Typically, this information may be found on the “leadership,” “about us”, or similar pages of the website. If you cannot find the information on the entity’s website, you may be able to find the registered agent of the business using the business search tool on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. In some instances, the registered agent doubles as the owner of the business entity.
Alternative ways in which you may find the owner of a business entity in Minnesota include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Local Chambers of CommerceMany businesses are members of their local chamber of commerce. Contacting the relevant chamber may provide information about the owner, especially for smaller or locally focused entities.
Minnesota Department of RevenueBusinesses operating in Minnesota must register with the Department of Revenue for tax purposes. Although not directly searchable, contacting this department can sometimes clarify ownership when tax-related issues are involved.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)If a business is accredited by the BBB, its profile may list ownership or leadership information, along with contact details.
Why Conduct a Minnesota Entity Search?
An entity search helps consumers verify the legitimacy of businesses they engage with. By confirming registration status, consumers may ensure they are dealing with legitimate and trustworthy entities.
Investors can use an entity search to evaluate a business before committing funds. By accessing incorporation details, filing history, and compliance status, investors gain a clearer picture of the business’s operational health and its legal standing within Minnesota.
For businesses, verifying suppliers through an entity search ensures they are partnering with registered and reliable companies. It helps confirm that the supplier is in good standing, reducing risks of fraud.
Entity searches play a critical role in detecting fraudulent operations. By cross-checking business details, such as the principal address or registered agent, stakeholders may identify red flags and avoid engaging with illegitimate entities posing as legitimate businesses.
Who Holds Data for Minnesota Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Minnesota?
The following are the typical business entities that may be registered in Minnesota:
A business corporation in Minnesota is formed by one or more individuals. A corporation has general business purposes and unlimited power to engage in any legal act except where the articles of incorporation state otherwise. Chapter 302A of the Minnesota Statutes provides more information on the formation of business corporations in the state.
This type of business structure is formed for a purpose not related to monetary gain. It also pays no dividends to its members. A non-profit corporation may be formed for any legal purpose, including the conduct of commercial operations. Minnesota non-profit corporations are established based on Chapter 317A of the Minnesota Statutes.
These are corporations (which may be a business corporation, non-profit corporation, or corporation) formed under the laws of another state but authorized to perform their operations in Minnesota. For more information on foreign corporations in Minnesota, see Chapter 303 of the Minnesota Statutes.
Limited liability companies may be formed by one or more persons by filing Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Minnesota LLCs are business organizations combining flow-through taxation with limited liability.
A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in Minnesota is a business structure that allows partners to benefit from limited liability while maintaining flexibility in management. In an LLP, partners are protected from personal liability for business debts and the actions of other partners, though they remain liable for their negligence or misconduct.
A limited partnership in Minnesota is a business entity formed by two or more individuals or entities, consisting of at least one general partner and one or more limited partners. General partners manage the business and bear unlimited liability for its debts and obligations. Limited partners contribute capital and share in the profits but have limited liability, which means they are not personally liable for the business's debts beyond their investment. There are Minnesota and foreign limited partnerships in the North Star State.
This is a new kind of profit-making business structure in Minnesota. Here, the business pledges to pursue a specific or general benefit to society. Note that the benefit may not be related to the business the corporation engages in. PBCs in Minnesota are incorporated in the same manner as standard business corporations. There are no tax benefits to forming a PBC or investing in one. Also, no tax deductions are required of investors as the PBC pays corporate tax on all profits.
A sole proprietorship in Minnesota is the simplest business structure, where an individual owns and operates the business without forming a separate legal entity. The owner has full control over the business and is personally responsible for all liabilities, debts, and obligations.
A DBA name is a name that a business entity operates under that is different from the entity's true legal name.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Minnesota?
The first step to ensure your business name is available is to verify that it meets Minnesota Business Name Availability Guidelines.
Afterwards, you may use the business search tool on the Secretary of State's website to check whether the name is available.
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Minnesota?
After deciding on the name you want for your business and checking with the state that the name is available, the next step is to decide what kind of business structure fits your business. You may need the assistance of an experienced attorney to make this decision. Upon deciding on the entity type, you may follow these steps to set up your business entity in Minnesota.
- Get a Registered Agent: A registered agent in Minnesota receives legal and tax documents on behalf of a business and must have a Minnesota address. Business owners can serve as their own agent or hire a professional.
- Register your Business Name and Entity: Register your entity with the Secretary of State online. Answer prompted questions and provide the required details.
- File for Taxes With the Department of Revenue: Obtain an EIN from the IRS, then register for a Minnesota Tax ID and Sales/Use Tax account at e-Services.
- Apply for a Business Permit or License: Use the Minnesota E-Licensing Portal for state licenses. Local licenses may require contacting the city clerk. SBA and FDA sites provide federal licensing resources.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Minnesota?
Additional Information Available on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Minnesota
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Minnesota.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Minnesota?
A Minnesota business entity search may be necessary for many reasons. Generally, it allows a person to verify the business registration status of an entity, helping to avoid potential transactions with fraudulent or illegitimate businesses.
- What types of entities can I search for in Minnesota?
You may search for business corporations, non-profit corporations, foreign corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, public benefit corporations, assumed names, and trademarks.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Minnesota?
You may perform a business entity search in Minnesota via the Business Filings Online page of the Secretary of State website.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Minnesota?
You need to provide the business name or filing number to perform an entity search in Minnesota.
- How do I find the official name of a Minnesota business?
You may find the official name of a Minnesota business by performing a search via the Business Filings Online page of the Secretary of State website.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Minnesota?
Yes. Search results from the business search system on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website provide information on local and foreign business entities registered with the state.
- What information can I find in the Minnesota entity search?
Generally, you may find information such as business name, entity type, business state, registered agent's name, business filing date, file number, business home jurisdiction, business registered office address, filing history, and business renewal due date.
- How do I verify if a Minnesota business is in good standing?
You may verify if a business is in good standing in Minnesota by conducting a business search via the Business Filings Online page of the Secretary of State website. In the “status” section, you will see “active” or “in good standing” if the business remains in good standing with the state.
- Can I search for an entity in Minnesota by its owner’s name?
If a business’ registered agent is the owner of the entity, you may find the business owner via a business search on the Secretary of State website. Otherwise, consider visiting the website of the business or accessing other local resources to find the business owner.
- How often is the Minnesota business entity database updated?
The business entity database on the Minnesota Secretary of State website is updated regularly, typically within a few days of the changes to the details of a business.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Minnesota?
Some copies of business filings may be accessed via a business search details section. Otherwise, you may contact the office of the Secretary of State to obtain business filings.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of a Minnesota business is?
You may find a Minnesota business’ registered agent by performing a search via the Business Filings Online page of the Secretary of State website. By providing the business name or file number, you may find out who the registered agent of a Minnesota business is.
- How can I search for Minnesota businesses by their tax ID number?
Searching a Minnesota business by tax identification number is not one of the options provided in the Minnesota Secretary of State business search tool. You may contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue to find out if a Minnesota business may be searched by their tax ID number.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Minnesota search?
If you cannot find a Minnesota business entity by name or file number using the business search tool, contact the Minnesota Secretary of State or hire a professional to help search.
- How To Search Minnesota Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Minnesota?
- Why Conduct a Minnesota Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Minnesota Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Minnesota?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Minnesota?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Minnesota?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Minnesota?
- Additional Information Available on the Minnesota Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Minnesota