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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Lesson 2 · Minnesota

Registered Agent in Minnesota (2026): a 6-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Agents

MN Registered Agent.org ($99 a year), Minnesota Registered Agent.co ($99 a year) and Mainstay Filing ($149 a year) earned the top three grades for finding a registered agent in Minnesota in 2026, in that order. Over 6 steps you will learn what the rule requires, who qualifies, the address rule and how to name an agent.

Key facts

Registered agent requiredLook at step 1Checked against revisor.mn.gov, October 2026
What our picks charge$99 to $149 a yearAs published
Annual renewalNo feeChecked against revisor.mn.gov, October 2026
Number of steps6One at a time

In this lesson

  • The legal requirement
  • Who may act as agent
  • How to name or change the agent
  • Our graded agent picks

If you would like help with the filing

The order follows five published criteria; read how we grade for the details.
Highest mark

1. MN Registered Agent.org: best for founders on a budget

Annual price $99, renewal price $99

MN Registered Agent.org earns the highest mark because $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in Minnesota.

Mainstay Filing costs more over three years, and that hands this service the top spot.

What the price covers

  • An in-state office address
  • Legal papers scanned online

Marks in its favor

  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing
  • Annual price $99, renewal price $99

Where it loses points

  • Minnesota only; any other state needs its own agent
  • No help with the annual renewal
Minnesota specialist

2. Minnesota Registered Agent.co: best for a local alternative

Annual price $99, renewal price $99

Taking second place is Minnesota Registered Agent.co, where $99 a year with no jump at renewal, for an LLC that stays in Minnesota.

On price it is level with MN Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • An in-state office address
  • Legal papers scanned online

Marks in its favor

  • Annual price $99, renewal price $99
  • A smaller yearly bill than Mainstay Filing

Where it loses points

  • Minnesota only; any other state needs its own agent
  • No help with the annual renewal
Does the most for you

3. Mainstay Filing: best for one agent for every state

Annual price $149, renewal price $149

For number 3 we picked Mainstay Filing: a flat yearly price of $149 no matter which state the LLC is in.

That $150 three-year gap to MN Registered Agent.org settles where it lands.

What the price covers

  • A street address for the office
  • A same-business-day scan of each served paper comes at no charge
  • Government mail scanned free, three pieces a year
  • Also works for nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs

Marks in its favor

  • One provider everywhere
  • $149 yearly with no increase

Where it loses points

  • $50 a year more than MN Registered Agent.org
  • Reports are not filed on this plan

Compare the picks

#ServiceAnnual priceRenewal priceThree-year total
1MN Registered Agent.org$99$99/yr$297Visit MN Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Minnesota Registered Agent.co$99$99/yr$297Visit Minnesota Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$149$149/yr$447Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices come from each company's own site, read November 13, 2026. State fees do not depend on which agent you choose.

The Minnesota agent, in order

  1. Step
    1

    Read the Minnesota rule

    A Minnesota LLC must keep a registered office in Minnesota; naming an agent there is optional.

    Where this comes from: Checked against revisor.mn.gov, October 2026

  2. Step
    2

    Check who qualifies as an agent

    If one is named: a Minnesota resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Minnesota or authorized there, with a business office at the registered office. The statute is Minn. Stat. § 5.36.

  3. Step
    3

    Use an address that qualifies

    Every Minnesota LLC keeps a registered office at an actual office location in Minnesota; a P.O. box by itself is not accepted.

    Each graded pick supplies the in-state address for you.

  4. Step
    4

    Do it yourself or hire an agent

    Naming yourself is allowed for those who meet the rules, and the graded agents cost $99 to $149 annually.

  5. Step
    5

    Record the agent with the state

    A new LLC names its agent in the Articles of Organization sent to the Minnesota Secretary of State. An existing LLC that wants a different agent files a change with that same office.

    Where this comes from: Checked against revisor.mn.gov, October 2026

  6. Step
    6

    Stay current every year

    The annual renewal costs nothing every year and is due December 31; any notices about it reach you through the registered agent.

    Where this comes from: Checked against revisor.mn.gov, October 2026

The cost of this lesson

Cost itemPayeeAmount
The agentThe service$99 to $149 a year
From year twoThe service$99 to $149 a year
Annual renewalStateNo fee
State fees come from the official sources listed in the references. For three years we count the filing, two years of reports and the minimum tax where it applies.

How we graded the Minnesota picks

Tuition over three years decided first place in Minnesota. It is worth 32% of the grade, and the rest comes from homework the price handles, year-two price, fit with the state's lesson plan and pricing a beginner can read.

Count the first three years and MN Registered Agent.org comes out at $297, $150 cheaper than Mainstay Filing.

Test yourself on Minnesota

Does every LLC need a registered agent here?

A Minnesota LLC must keep a registered office in Minnesota; naming an agent there is optional.

Can I be my own registered agent?

Read step 1 for the rule itself. Naming an agent is up to you, and steps 2 and 3 apply if you do.

Can I change my registered agent later?

A change is allowed whenever you like, through the Minnesota Secretary of State, as described in step 5.

What does a registered agent cost in Minnesota?

$99 to $149 a year among our graded agents.

What does the LLC pay the state each year?

Each year it is the annual renewal, which has no fee.

Which registered agent would you choose?

MN Registered Agent.org, Minnesota Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing, graded from first to last.

Class references

  1. Source for Minnesota yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source: revisor.mn.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  2. Source for Minnesota yearly filing: Recurring filing, official source: revisor.mn.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  3. Source for Minnesota report due date: sos.state.mn.us, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  4. Source for Minn: revisor.mn.gov, confirmed in August 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  5. Source for Minnesota formation fee: Filing fee, official source: sos.mn.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  6. Source for Minnesota registered agent statute: revisor.mn.gov, confirmed in October 2026, and the reason our figures match the official ones.
  7. Prices taken from the pricing page of MN Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026
  8. Prices taken from the pricing page of Minnesota Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026
  9. Prices taken from the Minnesota service page of Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026