How to Prepare Articles of Incorporation
Any small business that wants to formally establish itself as a corporation needs to prepare and file articles of incorporation that define the function of the business. Depending on what state you live in, these might also be referred to as a "charter," "articles of association" or "certificate of incorporation." You can hire an attorney to fill out these papers, or you can keep it simple and do it yourself.
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Instructions
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Contact your Secretary of State for information about where to obtain articles of incorporation and where to deliver them when completed.
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Decide on an official name for your corporation, including the abbreviated suffix of Inc., Corp., Company or Co. List the address of your business.
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List the number of stock shares the corporation has been authorized to use by its shareholders. You must list different classes of stock if you decide to use them.
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Name the registered agent and include her address. This is the individual who has filed the articles for you. She is legally entitled to handle and deliver legal documents associated with this filing. She does not need to be an employee or even have a personal interest in the company.
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Choose the effective date of incorporation, if you would like a date other than the date of your filing. Name the registered agent and the address of the agent who will process your articles.
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Sign and date the articles. Have the registered agent sign a statement acknowledging her duties in processing. File the articles of incorporation with your Secretary of State. Remember to include the filing fee, which varies by state.
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Tips & Warnings
Most articles of incorporation are processed within one to two weeks. For faster processing, contact your Secretary of State about hiring a courier.
