Incorporating in Minnesota is relatively easy.  This article should give you resources to understand how the incorporation process works in Minnesota, and to use the legal forms from the Minnesota Secretary of State to incorporate in Minnesota.

Though not required, it is advised that you check your corporate name for availability before filing any applications. To do this you can conduct a name search at the Name Availability Search site (http://da.sos.state.mn.us/minnesota/corp_inquiry-find.asp?:Norder_item_type_id=9&sm=6). After you check your name availability, you can submit a Name Reservation. The forms are available online in PDF and DOC format. The filing fee is $35 and should be payable to the Minnesota Secretary of State: Minnesota Secretary of State - Business Services, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55103. The reservation is valid for 12 months from the date it was filed.

Minnesota offers two ways to file your Articles of Incorporation - Online or Via Mail.

To file online, you can visit the Express Services Web site (http://expressservices.sos.state.mn.us/) and follow the step-by-step process they offer. There is an additional $10 fee along with your filing fee to use the express services.

To file your articles of incorporation via mail, you can visit the Minnesota Business Corporations Forms page (http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=1082) and download your Articles of Incorporation in PDF or DOC format. Once you fill out your Articles of Incorporation form, you can submit the form and the $160 filing fee to: Minnesota Secretary of State - Business Services, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55103.

Annual reports can be filed online or via mail as well. To file via mail, you can visit the same Web site as above (Minnesota Business Corporations Forms) and download the document to fill out. To file online, visit Minnesota’s Annual Business Renewal Web site and follow the instructions provided there. An annual report is due each due each year before December 31st.

There are many companies that offer the service of filing these articles on your behalf, such as FileOnline  or LegalZoom.