How to Write Articles of Incorporation

Writing articles of incorporation is a fairly simple process. What makes the process simple is that the secretary of state’s office typically provides a form for you to fill out, so there is no guesswork involved in what information is needed in the articles of incorporation. The secretary of state needs to know basic information about the corporation that you are forming, and that is the information that is included in the articles of incorporation. Here is how to write the articles of incorporation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide in which state you plan to incorporate. Each state has its own form for the articles of incorporation, so make sure you fill out the correct form for the state in which you plan to incorporate your business.
2. Access the website for the secretary of state’s office for the state you have chosen for incorporation. Most secretary of state websites post a form that you can download to write your articles of incorporation. Alternatively, look for the “Frequently Asked Questions” part of the website. This section typically specifies the information that must be included in the articles of incorporation.
3. Download the form for the articles of incorporation provided on the secretary of state’s website. Be sure to download the correct form for the type of corporation you want to form. For example, the information required for a C-corporation might vary from the information required for a limited liability company (LLC). Also, the title of the form might be different, depending upon the type of company you are incorporating. For example, “articles of organization” is often the title used for an LLC.
4. Select a name that is not already in use. The secretary of state’s website should provide a database that you can search to make sure that another company is not already using the name that you want. If you select a name that is already in use, your articles of incorporation will likely be returned.
5. Compile the information that the secretary of state’s office requires. This information typically includes the following: name of the corporation, number of shares to be issued, class of stock, street address and county of the registered office, name of the registered agent and the name of at least one incorporator. Some of these requirements might vary, depending on the type of corporation that you are forming.
6. Type all of this information into the designated spaces on the articles of incorporation form. Provide all of the information requested on the form.
7. Sign and date the form.

Tips & Warnings

• After you write the articles of incorporation, follow the instructions on the secretary of state’s website for how to file them. You will likely have to pay a filing fee when you file the articles of incorporation.