How to Name Your LLC in Minnesota
Learn the naming rules for a Minnesota LLC — required designators, name availability search, assumed names, and trademark checks. Step-by-step guidance from Bizee.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Minnesota LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $135 (online Articles of Organization)
Processing time: Typically 5–7 business days online; expedited options available
State agency: Minnesota Secretary of State
Annual report due: December 31 each year (Annual Renewal)
State tax rate: No state-level LLC franchise tax; members pay Minnesota individual income tax on their share of income
Naming your LLC in Minnesota
To name your LLC in Minnesota, your name must include an approved designator — "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." — and it must be distinguishable from every other business name already on file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Before you file, run a name availability search through the state's online portal to confirm your name is clear.
Minnesota LLC naming rules
Every Minnesota LLC name must end with a recognized entity designator. Accepted formats are "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." — whichever you choose becomes part of your legal name in the Articles of Organization you file with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Beyond the designator, your name must be distinguishable from every other business name already registered in Minnesota. The state evaluates names for distinguishability — a proposed name that differs from an existing name by only one letter, a punctuation mark, or a common word like "the" or "and" will likely be rejected. Minnesota's name availability guidelines include examples of what counts as a meaningful difference, and it's worth reviewing them before you settle on a name.
- Name must end with "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
- Name must be distinguishable from all other business names on file with the Minnesota Secretary of State
- Name must differ by at least one letter or numeral from existing registered names
- Name cannot imply a government affiliation or use restricted words (things like "bank" or "insurance") without required approvals
- Name must use standard English alphabet characters
How to search Minnesota business name availability
Run your name availability search through the Minnesota Secretary of State's online business filing system before you file anything. The search is free and takes only a few minutes. Type your proposed name into the search box, select the entity designation from the drop-down, and click Search. If the name is available, the system confirms it. If it's taken, the system returns the names and file numbers of conflicting businesses already on record.
One thing that catches people off guard: a name that clears the state search can still create problems if it conflicts with a federally registered trademark. The state search only checks names on file in Minnesota — it doesn't check the USPTO database. Run both searches before you commit to a name.
Trademark and service mark checks
Clearing your name with the Minnesota Secretary of State doesn't mean you're clear of trademark risk. A business can hold federal trademark rights through use in commerce even without a federal registration — so a USPTO search alone doesn't eliminate all risk. Search the USPTO's trademark database for both exact matches and close variations that could be considered confusingly similar.
Trademark conflict analysis isn't limited to identical names. Confusion risk also depends on whether the marks and the goods or services are related. If you're unsure whether a name creates trademark exposure, talk to a legal professional before you file.
Minnesota assumed names (DBA)
If you want to run your business under a name that's different from your LLC's legal name, Minnesota calls this an assumed name — what most other states call a DBA or fictitious name. You'll need to file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Minnesota Secretary of State. This lets you operate under a different brand name without forming a separate legal entity.
The assumed name still has to be distinguishable from other registered business names in Minnesota. Run the same availability search before you file the certificate.
How to register your LLC name
Your LLC name is registered when you file your Articles of Organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. There's no separate name registration step — the name you include in the Articles becomes your legal business name on file. File online through the Secretary of State's business services portal. The state filing fee is $135 for online filings.
If you're not ready to file yet, Minnesota allows you to reserve a name for up to 12 months. A reserved name holds your chosen name while you finish getting ready to form your LLC.
How to change your LLC name
To change your LLC's legal name in Minnesota, you need to file an amendment with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Most amendment filings can be done online — sign in to your account, search for your business, open the business record, and choose the amendment filing option. Some amendments use an express filing process that requires uploading a completed PDF form.
One thing to know before you start: if your LLC is inactive, you'll need to reinstate it before the Secretary of State will accept an amendment. You can also file amendments by mail or in person at the customer counter.
FAQ
Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's online business filing portal, type your proposed name into the search box, select the entity designation from the drop-down, and click Search. The system tells you whether the name is available or returns conflicting names already on file. The search is free.
After clearing the state search, also check the USPTO trademark database. A name that's available in Minnesota can still conflict with a federally registered trademark.
Yes. Your Minnesota LLC name must end with "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." It must also be distinguishable from every other business name already on file with the Minnesota Secretary of State — differing by at least one letter or numeral from existing registered names.
Certain words — things like "bank" or "insurance" — require additional approvals before you can use them in your LLC name.
Yes. Minnesota calls this an assumed name — what most states call a DBA. You file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Minnesota Secretary of State to operate under a name that's different from your LLC's legal name. The assumed name still has to be distinguishable from other registered business names in the state.
Yes. Minnesota allows you to reserve a business name for up to 12 months through the Secretary of State. This holds your chosen name while you finish preparing to file your Articles of Organization — useful if you're not ready to form your LLC right away but don't want someone else to take the name.
Yes. Minnesota doesn't prohibit using your personal name as part of your LLC name. You still need to include the required designator — "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company" — and the full name must be distinguishable from other registered business names in the state.
Avoid names that are too similar to existing Minnesota business names — the state will reject a name that differs only by punctuation, a common word, or a single character. Also avoid names that imply government affiliation or use restricted words like "bank," "trust," or "insurance" without the required approvals. And check the USPTO trademark database before you commit — a name that clears the state search can still create trademark exposure.
File an amendment with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Most amendments can be filed online — sign in to your account, search for your business, open the record, and choose the amendment option. You can also file by mail or in person. If your LLC is inactive, you'll need to reinstate it before the state will accept the amendment.
