Introduction to Articles of Incorporation
Articles of incorporation legally establish a corporation. The filing submits information to a state agency. Once incorporated, the company may receive favorable tax benefits and issue stock.
Preparing and Filing
Preparing articles of incorporation is the first step toward incorporating a business. Follow your state’s filing instructions and include the proper fee.
Research your state’s requirements before obtaining an article of incorporation. File articles of incorporation in the state you incorporate your business in. If you operate in multiple states, incorporate in the state friendliest to corporations.
Also called corporate charter or certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation are a legal document to make a company’s incorporation official, including the legal business name, address, corporate structure, shares authorized, and the registered agent.
What to Include in the Articles
What are the contents of the articles of incorporation? The articles typically included are:
- Your business’s name
- The main location of your business
- The purpose of your business
- Your registered agent
- The number and types of shares your corporation will issue
- The names and addresses of your incorporators
Your articles of incorporation differ from your company’s bylaws, which lay out the detailed rules and procedures for the day-to-day functioning of your company. The articles of incorporation establish what the corporation is and detail the roles its managers and stockholders will play.
Filing Steps
Filing Articles of Incorporation involves the following steps:
- Conduct a Business Entity Search
- Draft and File the Articles
- Pay Required State Fees
Check your state’s Secretary of State website for more information on types of Articles of Incorporation and the process for filing.
The Articles of Incorporation provide the basic information needed to form the business and register the business in the state. They serve as a vital tool for anyone involved in establishing or managing a corporation.
At the time of filing the articles of incorporation, the state authorities provide forms to be filed along with the articles. The corporation must pay the fee as per the state authority’s guidelines at this stage.