A fictitious name statement, also known as a "Doing Business As" license or assumed name, is a type of business document. Every business in Minnesota operating under a name other than that of its owner needs to file for a fictitious name. In Minnesota, the official name for a fictitious name statement is "Certificate of Assumed Name." There are a few ways to file the form needed to obtain your assumed name certificate in Minnesota.
Instructions
1. Choose a name for your business, and research it to ensure that no other business entity in Minnesota has the same name. You can search your name's availability at the official Minnesota Secretary of State website (see Resources).
2. Obtain a Certificate of Assumed Name form from the official Minnesota Secretary of State website (see Resources), fill it out completely and obtain a check or money order for $25, payable to "MN Secretary of State." The $25 fee is current as of November 2010.
3. Mail or file your form in person at the following address:
Minnesota Secretary of State - Business Services
Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building
60 Empire Drive, Suite 100
St Paul, MN 55103
4. File your form online at the Minnesota Secretary of State Express Services website as an alternative (see Resources). There will be an addition $10 fee for filing online, making the total you will have to pay $35, as of November 2010.
5. Download the list of legal newspapers from the Minnesota Secretary of State's official website. You will need to publish your Certificate of Assumed Name with your chosen newspaper, in the county of your principal place of business, two consecutive times.
6. Retain the affidavit of publication the newspaper returns to you as proof of completing your assumed name filing.
7. Renew your Certificate of Assumed Name every 10 years. A renewal form will be mailed to you six months before expiration; the fee for renewal is $25, as of November 2010.
