Minnesota Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Minnesota's official Secretary of State business entity database (Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal (mblsportal.sos.mn.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Minnesota. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Minnesota Business Database
Direct link to Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal - Free Minnesota business search
How to Search Minnesota Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Minnesota Business & Liens Portal
Navigate to the official Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search. You can also access it through sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-help/how-to-search-business-filings/ or sos.state.mn.us/. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Minnesota business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), file number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows you to refine results using filters like 'Begins With' or 'Contains'. You can also filter by filing status (Active or Inactive) to narrow down results.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Minnesota's search supports multiple search modes including 'Begins With' and 'Contains'. The search is case-insensitive.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the business name, business type (LLC, Corporation, etc.), filing status (Active/Inactive), file number, and filing date. Click on a business name to view detailed information. Minnesota's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows file number, business name, business type, filing status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. You can also order copies or certificates directly from the portal. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status and Order Documents
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings. Minnesota requires annual reports for most business entities. You can order copies of documents or certificates of good standing directly through the portal.
Official Minnesota Business Database
The Minnesota Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal (mblsportal.sos.mn.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Minnesota.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Minnesota
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Minnesota?
To search for a Minnesota business, visit the official Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search. You can also access it through sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-help/how-to-search-business-filings/ or sos.state.mn.us/. You can search by business name, file number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Minnesota.
What is the official Minnesota Secretary of State business search website?
The official Minnesota business entity search portal is the Business & Liens Portal, available at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search. You can also access it through sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-help/how-to-search-business-filings/ or sos.state.mn.us/. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Minnesota, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Minnesota Business & Liens Portal database?
The Minnesota Business & Liens Portal database provides file number, business name, business type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), filing status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. You can also order copies of documents or certificates of good standing.
Is the Minnesota business search free?
Yes, the Minnesota Business & Liens Portal search is completely free. The official search portals (mblsportal.sos.mn.gov and sos.mn.gov) provide free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use. Note that ordering copies of documents or certificates may require a fee.
How do I verify a Minnesota business is legitimate?
To verify a Minnesota business, search the Business & Liens Portal database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history including annual reports, check the file number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Minnesota Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Minnesota businesses by owner name?
The Minnesota Business & Liens Portal database allows you to search by registered agent name, which may include business owners. You can also search by business name or file number. To find businesses by owner name, use the registered agent search function if the owner is listed as a registered agent, or check the officers and directors information in the detailed entity view.
What types of business entities are registered in Minnesota?
Minnesota registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Minnesota. All of these can be searched through the official Minnesota Business & Liens Portal database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Minnesota?
To check if a business name is available in Minnesota, use the official Minnesota Business & Liens Portal at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search or sos.mn.gov/business-liens/business-help/how-to-search-business-filings/. Search for the exact name you want to use using different search modes ('Begins With', 'Contains'). If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Minnesota Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing.
Does Minnesota require annual reports?
Yes, Minnesota requires annual reports for most business entities including corporations and LLCs. These reports must be filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State to maintain active status. Failure to file annual reports can result in the business being marked as 'Inactive' or 'Dissolved'. Check the entity's filing history in the business search database to verify current compliance.
What is a file number in Minnesota?
A file number in Minnesota is a unique identifier assigned to each business entity when it is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State. You can use this file number to search for a specific business entity in the Business & Liens Portal database. The file number appears in search results and detailed entity information.
How do I order documents or certificates from Minnesota?
To order documents or certificates from Minnesota, search for the business entity in the Business & Liens Portal, click on the business name to view detailed information, and use the portal's ordering system to request copies of documents or certificates of good standing. There may be a fee for ordering official documents or certificates.
What other services are available through the Minnesota Business & Liens Portal?
The Minnesota Business & Liens Portal offers additional services including business filings online (registering a business, filing renewals or amendments), UCC/Tax Liens online (filing and searching Uniform Commercial Code and tax lien records), and CNS Liens online (filing and searching Central Notification System liens). These services are available through the portal at mblsportal.sos.mn.gov.
About Minnesota Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Minnesota SOS Business Search?
The Minnesota Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Minnesota. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in MN.
When you search "secretary of state mn business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Minnesota businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Minnesota SOS Database?
The official Minnesota Secretary of State database (Minnesota Secretary of State Business & Liens Portal (mblsportal.sos.mn.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Minnesota. Always verify business entities through the official MN SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
Trusted by Business Professionals
Streamlined Processing
Verify business entities instantly for faster underwriting and loan processing
Research Made Easy
Access comprehensive business data across all states for thorough due diligence
Stay Compliant
Keep track of your business filings and ensure regulatory compliance
Chrome Extension
Professional Business Research Tool
Get instant access to business entity searches across all 50 states directly from your browser. Perfect for processors, underwriters, researchers, and business owners.
Save $16
Join 2,000+ users saving time with business verification