All businesses must register with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State to legally operate. Before you register, you must choose the business structure first as it will determine the documentary requirements you need to fulfill.
You can officially start the registration process by creating an online account at the SOS website. Go to Business Filings Online page and choose the business structure. You will be required to answer a few questions about your business and then verify the name. If your chosen business name is available, you must follow the directions so you can provide information about your business.
Review the information you filled out at the end before you click Submit. You will be assigned an Order Number that is in reference to the filing you submitted. Make sure to keep a record of this Order Number.
The next step will require you to set up an e-service account using your credit card information. You can also bypass this step by clicking on "pay without registering". Once payment is completed, you may proceed to the confirmation page with receipt for your payment. Print this out or record the Confirmation Number. You will also be sent a copy of your filing information via email. You can use that to access the transaction history on your account so you can keep track of the process.
Since 2002, Minnesota State has 87 counties, 854 municipal governments, and 1,793 townships (more townships than any other state in the country. The state also has 345 public school districts and 403 special districts.
Each county is overseen by a board of commissioners, which are all elected for four-year terms. Other county officials include the attorney and coroner, auditor, sheriff, treasurer, recorder, and assessor engineer. The county is responsible for planning and development, highway maintenance, and administers welfare.
Every regional development commission (RDC) is composed of local officials (chosen by counties, cities, townships, and the education board of the region) and represents the public interest groups (chosen by the elected officials).
Cities, either statutory cities or home-rule charters are restricted to the government system as stated by the state law. Regardless, a mayor-council system is still the most common. Each township is overseen by the elected officials or the board of supervisors.
See the main Minnesota Page for county links.© State & Local 2023