| The Articles of Incorporation for a company define | | | | contents of legal documents, it's probably advisable to |
| both the structure and the purpose of the newly | | | | hire an expert as it's imperative that you get your |
| incorporated business. Articles are required to | | | | Articles of Incorporation correct as they will determine |
| complete the incorporation process. There is a set | | | | how your newly incorporated company operates. |
| criteria of information that the articles must define in | | | | If you get them wrong, you may delay the |
| detail which, once incorporated will essentially be the | | | | incorporation process or incur additional costs |
| rules that the company must work within. | | | | correcting the errors. |
| Standard articles of incorporation will include specific | | | | If however you feel comfortable in the preparation of |
| details on the name of the person(s) incorporating the | | | | your own documents, you will find lot's or sample |
| company, whether or not the new corporation will be a | | | | articles of incorporation online, that you can use to |
| stock or non stock organization, and if a stock | | | | create your own. |
| organization, details on the amount and type of | | | | Your local library should also have example documents |
| authorized share capital the company can issue. | | | | for you to use. Whichever sample articles you choose |
| Also required is the address of the company's | | | | to use, you must ensure that the document is |
| registered office, the names of the board of directors | | | | complete and complies with the legal requirements of |
| and the accounting period the business will use for | | | | the state you are to incorporate in. |
| reporting purposes. | | | | Each State has different requirements and by-laws |
| The business's articles will also define the main | | | | that you must comply with. Each separate article |
| activities of the company. Your articles will also state | | | | included in your document should be clear and |
| the full name of your new corporation. | | | | concisely worded. |
| You can choose whether to use the words | | | | To ensure your document is suitable for filing, you |
| "Incorporated", "Limited" or "Corporation". | | | | should ideally pay a flat fee to a local attorney to have |
| And last, your Articles of Incorporation must include all | | | | it checked for accuracy and completeness. This will |
| specific state rules and by-laws that will affect the | | | | avoid delays in the incorporation process further down |
| officers of your company, and your employees. | | | | the line. |
| If you're looking to incorporate your business, articles of | | | | Once you are sure that your Articles of Incorporation |
| association are one of the mandatory documents that | | | | are ready for filing, you will need to obtain the relevant |
| must be filed as part of the incorporation process. | | | | form from the secretary of state for the state you |
| Depending on the complexity of your organisation's | | | | are incorporating in. |
| structure and activities, you can either hire a lawyer or | | | | These days, the secretary of state's website will |
| incorporation specialist to produce your articles, or you | | | | usually have forms which you can download. |
| can prepare them yourself and file them online using | | | | Once filed, your articles of incorporation document |
| an online incorporation service. | | | | effectively creates your new corporation as a |
| Obviously the latter option is usually more cost | | | | separate legal entity. |
| effective. If you're not familiar with the format and | | | | |