INSTRUCTIONS
File your business document online by visiting our website at www.sos.state.mn.us.
This form is intended merely as a guide for filing and is not intended to cover all situations. Retain the original signed
copy of this document for your records and submit a legible photocopy for filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.
State law requires that this Certificate of Assumed Name be filed and published prior to the conduct of any business.
Licensing and regulatory boards as well as private vendors and banks often require proof of the filing of this Certificate
before issuing licenses, permits or entering into business relationships with the business.
WHO MUST FILE:
1. Any person conducting business under a name which is not their true full name (first and last name) must file.
(Example: “John Smith Painting” need not file, however, “Smith Painting” would be required to file.)
2. A corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company conducting business under a name other than the legal
name, must file (Example: Legal name; “St. Paul Painting Contractors, Inc.”, Assumed Name; “St. Paul Painting”.)
3. A partnership must file if the name of the partnership does not include the true full name of each partner.
After filing, the Certificate of Assumed Name must be published for two consecutive issues in the legal notices section
of a qualified legal newspaper in the county where the principal place of business is located. Contact a legal newspaper
in the county where the principal place of business is located for further instructions on publication. After publication,
the newspaper will return an affidavit of publication and the newspaper ad which should be retained by the assumed
name holder with the Certificate of Assumed Name. Failure to publish may render the Certificate of Assumed Name
invalid.
Any changes due to a change of business name, address, ownership, or owner’s address, require the filing of a Certificate
of Amended Assumed Name form. The Certificate of Amended Assumed Name form must be filed within 60 days after
any change has occurred and must be published as described in paragraph 6 above.
1. List the exact business name. Only one business name may be filed per form. Assumed names that duplicate
corporate, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company names or trademarks already on file
cannot be accepted for filing. A preliminary name availability check may be done by accessing our website at
www.sos.state.mn.us
. Note: You may only use corporate or other business entity designations if the business owner is a
corporation or other business entity already entitled to use that designation.
2. Provide a complete street address or rural route and rural route box number of the principal place of business. A
Minnesota address is preferable whenever available, but an out of state address is acceptable. A post office box by itself
cannot be accepted as the address of the principal place of business.
3. List name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the assumed name. If the business
owner is a business organization such as a corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership doing business
under an assumed name, the legal name and registered office address is required.
4. A signature of one nameholder listed or an Authorized Agent (The signing party must indicate on the document that
they are acting as the agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required and that they have been authorized
to sign on behalf of that person(s).) is required. Include the date, printed name of the person signing, and the title of
the signer.
Email Address for Official Notices. This email address may be used to send annual renewal reminders and other
important notices that may require action or response. Check the box if you wish to have your email address excluded
from requests for bulk data, to the extent allowed by Minnesota law.
List a name and daytime telephone number of a person who can be contacted about this form.
Minnesota Business Snapshot. This information is a snapshot of data at the point of time this filing was made. This
information is voluntary and may be shared with other agencies or the public for data analysis.
