An assumed name is a Minnesota DBA (doing business as). Minnesota assumed name registration allows a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
DBA registration in Minnesota will not protect your personal assets. Forming a formal business structure, such as an LLC or corporation, will provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
To obtain a DBA for your Minnesota business, follow the steps outlined below. Check out our other How to Get a DBA guides for more information on DBA filing in another state.
In Minnesota, you can apply for an Assumed Name Certificate.
It is simple to register a Minnesota assumed name, also known as a DBA.
A DBA is only used for branding purposes. A DBA does not protect your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we strongly advise that a DBA be used only by a formal business structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing business.
If you run an informal business (sole proprietorship or partnership), we strongly advise you to form an LLC to keep your business and personal assets separate. The name of the LLC can be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to File a DBA in Minnesota in Three Easy Steps:
Begin by conducting a Minnesota Assumed Name Search.
Create a Minnesota DBA.
Publicize Your Minnesota DBA Notice
A DBA is only used for branding purposes. To keep your business and personal assets separate, we recommend forming an LLC.
Step 1: Conduct a Minnesota Assumed Name Search.
Minnesota assumed names must be distinct and meet the state’s business name requirements.
To begin, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website and look up your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.
Review the Minnesota naming requirements next. In Minnesota, assumed names should NOT include the following words:
Unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, or etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp., etc.
Any of the following terms are used to describe financial institutions: “bank,” “banc,” “banco,” “banque,” “banker,” “trust company,” “savings and loan association,” “savings bank,” “credit union,” or other similar words.
Step 2: Create a Minnesota DBA.
Your Minnesota assumed name can be filed with the Secretary of State either online or by mail. You can either file online through the Secretary of State’s website or fill out the Certificate of Assumed Name form.
The following are some critical sections of the form:
Section 1: Assumption of name
Section 2: Principal place of business address
Section 3: The names and addresses of all assumed name owners
A DBA does not provide legal protection for your personal assets if your company is sued. Visit our How to Form an LLC page and select your state for more information on forming a limited liability company.
Step 3: Make Public Your Minnesota DBA Notice
After filing the Certificate of Assumed Name, it must be published in the legal notices section of a qualified newspaper in the county where the principal place of business is located for two consecutive issues.
More information will be provided in the newspaper. Following publication, the newspaper will return an affidavit of publication as well as the newspaper ad, both of which should be kept.
Take Charge of Your Minnesota Assumed Name
General Concerns
Please contact the Minnesota Secretary of State at (877) 551-6767.
You must renew your assumed name with the state.
Your assumed name in Minnesota must be renewed annually by December 31. You can renew online or by mailing or delivering the Assumed Name Annual Renewal form to the following address:
Business Services – Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota Retirement Systems Building
Suite 100, 60 Empire Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
If you file your renewal on time, there is no fee. You can reinstate an expired assumed name retroactively by filing the current year’s renewal and paying a fee of $45 for expedited service in-person and online, or $25 if submitted by mail.
Alter Your Assumed Name
You can make changes to your certificate of assumed name online or by filling out the Amendment of Assumed Name form and mailing or delivering it to the address below:
Business Services – Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota Retirement Systems Building
Suite 100, 60 Empire Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
The fee is $30 if you file by mail, $50 if you file online, and $50 if you file in person for expedited service.
Remove Your Assumed Name
You can cancel your Minnesota assumed name online or by mailing or visiting the address below and submitting the Cancellation of Assumed Name form:
Business Services – Minnesota Secretary of State
Minnesota Retirement Systems Building
Suite 100, 60 Empire Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
There is no charge to cancel an assumed name.