How to Get Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota (2025)


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
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Get Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota is a significant document that is required if you expand your business to another state. When you file an LLC in Minnesota, you must submit a handful of documents to the Secretary of State. In case you take your business beyond the state border, you need this additional document, commonly known as the Certificate of Good Standing.

In this article, LLCBuddy editors share the ins and outs of Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing. You’ll also learn what the uses of this document are other than having a foreign LLC out of state. We shared how to get the Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the LLC filing or a corporation filing in Minnesota or any other form of business, the Certificate of Good Standing must be obtained. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

What is Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota

The Certificate of Good Standing is a document that every business in Minnesota requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation in Minnesota, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Minnesota. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, Certificate of Good Standing will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities. Besides, to restore or reinstate an LLC in Minnesota after dissolution, you must obtain this document.

What Information You Have in Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Good Standing will have- 

articles of organization
  • The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
  • The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
  • The current name and address of the business entity
  • Whether the business entity exists today
  • Name and address of the Registered Agent
  • The State where the document is issued
  • A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements. 
  • A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Good Standing 

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in Minnesota is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business. 

How to Obtain Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing

The Minnesota Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Good Standing, you must fill out the form and send it to the Minnesota SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

In Minnesota, you can order the Certificate of Good Standing via online or by mail. For the online order, you must visit the Search Business and Order Certificate page. Search your business by name and get the details of the business. On the top of the page, there is a button ‘Order Certificate’. Click on it to order your original certificate. To obtain the Certificate by mail, submit the Certificate Request Form to the State SOS address.

The following points are required to be mentioned in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the details of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number. 

name your llc

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended that you share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from Minnesota SOS. If you request the document in person, you can take the return in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it. 

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of copies of the certificate from SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain more than one copy of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended that more copies of the certificate be obtained for future use. 

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a Fax copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: If you want, you can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the Minnesota Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation for corporations, LLC amendment, corporation amendment, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional, and you can avoid this. You must pay a stipulated fee for every copy you request. 

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, whichever is available and more convenient. Send the form to the Minnesota Secretary of State — Business Services, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55103 for offline filing. You must search the Minnesota SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $50 must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. The amount might be more depending on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might have to pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The Certificate of Good Standing’s processing time varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. It can take a few days to a few months to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota. 

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Good Standing

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the Minnesota SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Minnesota, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Good Standing.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Minnesota is a character certificate of any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document every now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons, 

  • To get business loans and advances or investors
  • To get business bank accounts
  • To purchase insurance for business coverage
  • To renew licenses & permits
  • To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC. 
  • To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another. 
  • To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.
  • If your LLC is dissolved for any administrative reasons and you want to restore it, you must obtain the Certificate of Good Standing for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is needed. 

FAQs

What is a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
A Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State that confirms that a business entity is registered and authorized to do business in the state and is in compliance with applicable requirements.
How can I obtain a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
You can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office either online, by mail, or in person.
Is a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing the same as a Certificate of Existence?
Yes, in Minnesota, a Certificate of Good Standing is also known as a Certificate of Existence.
Why would I need a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
A Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing may be required for various business transactions such as obtaining financing, entering into contracts, or expanding operations into other states.
How much does a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing cost?
The fee for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the delivery option chosen and whether it is requested online, by mail, or in person.
How long does it take to receive a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
The processing time for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the delivery option chosen, but it is usually processed within a few business days.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing online?
Yes, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing online through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
What information do I need to provide to request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
You will need to provide the name of the business entity as it appears on file with the Minnesota Secretary of State and payment for the applicable fee.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for any type of business entity?
Yes, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
How long is a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing valid for?
A Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is typically valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
Can I request expedited processing for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
Yes, you can request expedited processing for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for an additional fee.
Can I download a digital copy of a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
Yes, if you request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing online, you may be able to download a digital copy for your records.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a foreign business entity?
Yes, if a foreign business entity is registered to do business in Minnesota, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for that entity.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a trade name or assumed name?
No, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is only issued for the registered business entity, not for trade names or assumed names.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a nonprofit organization?
Yes, nonprofit organizations registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State can also request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a professional corporation?
Yes, professional corporations registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State can also request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a limited liability partnership?
Yes, limited liability partnerships registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State can also request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing.
Can I use a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for legal purposes?
Yes, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing may be used for legal purposes to show that a business entity is in good standing in the state.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing on behalf of someone else?
Yes, as an authorized representative or agent of a business entity, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing on their behalf.
What is the difference between a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Authority?
A Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing confirms that a business entity is in compliance with state requirements, while a Certificate of Authority grants permission to do business in another state.
Can I submit a request for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing by fax?
No, requests for a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing cannot be submitted by fax.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing in person?
Yes, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing in person at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office during regular business hours.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing by mail?
Yes, you can request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing by mail by sending a completed request form and payment to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.
Is a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing the same as being registered to do business in the state?
No, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing confirms that a business entity is in good standing but does not necessarily mean it is registered to do business in the state.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing if my business entity is not in good standing?
No, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is only issued to business entities that are in good standing with the state.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a dissolved business entity?
No, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is only issued for active business entities in compliance with state requirements.
Can I request a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing for a business entity with pending filings?
No, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing is only issued for business entities that are up-to-date on all required filings.
Can a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing be used for official government purposes?
Yes, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing can be used for official government purposes or for filing with regulatory agencies.
Can a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing be apostilled for international use?
Yes, a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing can be apostilled for international use by submitting it to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office for authentication.
What information is included on a Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing?
A Minnesota Certificate of Good Standing typically includes the business entity’s name, registration number, status, and date of issuance.

Also Read

In Conclusion

The Certificate of Good Standing is a vital document for any business entity in Minnesota, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. If you plan to establish the same business in another state, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is necessary.

While forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation in Minnesota, it is necessary to have some documents filed with the State authority. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of them. In some cases, if the business gets shut down or dissolved due to administrative reasons, this document helps the owners retrieve their business in the future. In this article, we shared DIY ways to get the document, but you can always hire a professional to get that for you.

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