Articles of Incorporation

The Articles of Incorporation is the basic instrument filed with the appropriate government agency, the Secretary of State, for the incorporation of a business. Articles of Incorporation is the most common name for this instrument, but it may also be called a Certificate of Incorporation (Delaware uses this term), Certificate of Organization, or Certificate of Formation. The actual name will vary from state to state.

For specifics on the incorporation process, see the Step-by-Step Guide to Incorporating a Business.

Filing and Fees

The Articles of Incorporation should be filed at your chosen state's Secretary of State or other state corporate filing office. Fees for filing the Articles will vary from state to state. All states require a single written document to be filed to form a corporation. This is a simple process, and most states offer preprinted forms for ease of use. These forms can be obtained online from your state's Secretary of State, or by calling or writing the Secretary of State to request the form. Not only must the Articles of Incorporation be filed, but they must also be filed at the correct state office. The correct filing location will be designated by your local Secretary of State, and will also be indicated on the form or its instruction sheet.

Formation of Legal Entity