Minnesota vs North Dakota: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)
Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Minnesota and North Dakota — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.
LLC Formation Costs: Minnesota vs North Dakota
| Metric | Minnesota | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $155 | $135 | North Dakota |
| Annual Report | $0 | $50 | Minnesota |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $155 | $135 | North Dakota |
Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Annual Report
Minnesota is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
North Dakota is cheaper here
Minnesota: Minnesota's formation fee is moderate — but check for city/county business license requirements.
North Dakota: North Dakota requires an annual report every year — don't miss the deadline.
Minnesota: No annual report fee after the initial formation.
North Dakota: Moderate fees and low business competition in many sectors.
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Small Claims Court: Minnesota vs North Dakota
| Metric | Minnesota | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $20,000 | $15,000 | Minnesota |
| Min Filing Fee | $65 | $20 | North Dakota |
| Contract SOL | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | Tie |
Max Claim Limit
Minnesota is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Contract SOL
It's a tie
Divorce Filing Costs: Minnesota vs North Dakota
| Metric | Minnesota | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $365 | $80 | North Dakota |
| Sheriff Service | $60 | $30 | North Dakota |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
North Dakota is cheaper here
Children Surcharge
It's a tie
Notary Fees: Minnesota vs North Dakota
| Metric | Minnesota | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 | $5 |
| Jurat | $5 | $5 |
| RON Fee | $5 | $5 |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee
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