The Minnesota Certificate of Authority To Transact Business is an official document issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State allowing a business to legally transact business in the state. The Certificate of Authority must be filed by any entity (corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, foreign limited liability companies, and foreign limited partnerships) wishing to do business in Minnesota. The Certificate of Authority allows the business to open a bank account, file state taxes, buy or sell property, or enter into contracts. There are two types of Minnesota Certificate of Authority To Transact Business. The first is the initial Certificate of Authority, which is the initial document that must be filed to give the business the authority to legally transact business in the state. The second is the renewal Certificate of Authority, which must be filed every two years to renew the business’s authority to conduct business in Minnesota.