What are articles of incorporation?

Answer 1

Requirements differ by state, but this is an example.

Articles of Incorporation of Some Corporation, Inc.

Article I The name of this corporation is Some Corporation, Inc.

Article II. The corporation is to be allowed to issue a maximum of 5,000 shares of stock.

Article III The corporation's headquarters address is 0 Some Street, Somewhere XX 00000

Article IV The corporation will have Mr. John Doe as its initial director.

Article V Until changed, the corporation's agent for service of process is Mr. John Doe, whose address is 0 Some Street, Somewhere XX 00000

Signed, Mr. John Doe

Answer 2

Articles of incorporation are the main rules that govern the management of a corporation. These rules are filed with the state or other regulatory agency.
A set of formal documents filed with a government body to legally document the creation of a corporation.

- Investopedia ("Articles of Incorporations")

Answer 3

While both of these types of documents are filed in a similar fashion with the appropriate state authorities, they are generally utilized by different types of businesses. Articles of Organization are filed by an LLC, while Articles of Incorporation are filed to form a corporation

. The Articles of Incorporation contain some supplemental information in addition to the information that is required on both types of documents, including the names of the initial directors and the types and amounts of stock that it can issue.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/office/entrepreneurs/articles/50475.aspx#ixzz0XKfZ9CUS

Answer 4

Articles of incorporation are the formal document used to create a corporation. In some states, it is called a certificate of incorporation. The articles of incorporation are filed with the Secretary of State in which the corporation is formed. The articles are then a public record and may be reviewed by anyone. A corporation may be incorporated in one state, but may have offices in other states. Due to a more streamlined corporate code and business friendly regulations, many large corporations are incorporated in the State of Delaware.

Together with bylaws and corporate resolutions, the articles of incorporation make up the rules in which the corporation is operated. Unlike bylaws and resolutions, which are not required for a corporation to be valid, articles must be prepared, signed and filed for the corporation to be recognized in the state of incorporation.

By analogy, articles of incorporation are like the US Constitution. As the constitution created the nation, and provided a small set of rules for governing, the articles govern the corporation in the same manner. Later, statutes were passed in congress with more detailed rules, as bylaws are passed in the corporation. As statutes cannot conflict with the constitution, bylaws cannot conflict with articles of incorporation.

Normally, the content of the articles of incorporation are minimal. They will usually contain the following:

• The name of the Corporation
• Its state of incorporation and original address
• The names and addresses of the incorporators, or those who form the corporation
• Whether the corporation is organized for profit or as a not for profit entity
• If not for profit, a statement that any profits are for the benefit of the corporation and not the shareholders
• The number of shares the corporation is permitted to issue, as well as the classes of stock the corporation is permitted to issue.
• The par value of each share.

In most states, articles of incorporation cannot be amended merely by the board of directors or the officers. Usually a majority of shareholders must approve the amendment. Amendments often are sought to increase the authorized limit of shares the corporation can issue. This is often seen with smaller start up companies who have grown exponentially, and the need for the corporation to issue additional shares of stock.

Sample articles of incorporation can be purchased with fill in lines where needed. Incorporators can also retain an attorney to prepare the articles. As the articles are public documents, and cannot be easily amended, many incorporators feel more comfortable with service of an attorney.

Answer 5

The best way to find articles of incorporation is to contact your state government agency and request the information you need or a hard copy.