Articles of Incorporation Template

Articles of incorporation are official legal documents filed with a government agency with the intent to officially document the formation of a corporation.

What is in the Articles of Incorporation Template?

The articles of incorporation document the creation of a corporation.
This template is a helpful tool to utilize while crafting your articles of incorporation.

The Importance of Articles of Incorporation

Articles of incorporation serve an important purpose. To incorporate your business, the articles of incorporation must be filed, and this is usually done through the secretary of state or within another appropriate state agency. After the articles are filed, the state will issue a certificate of incorporation; this means you are in business!

Articles of incorporation provide several essential benefits. Articles of incorporation protect personal assets, provide unique tax options, ensures a separate legal entity, credibility, and shares to boost a company’s capital.

Other names for articles of incorporation include:

Business Incorporation Documents
Certificate of Incorporation
Company Constitution
Corporate Charter
Articles of Organization

Essential Elements of Articles of Incorporation

The purpose of articles of incorporation are to describe the business and its intent. It also details other important aspects of the business’s structure. Here are a few essential elements found in the articles of incorporation:

- Name of the corporation
- Duration (set or perpetual)
- Purpose of the corporation
- Address of the registered agent and their name
Corporate name
- Authorized stock capital and Share structure
- Board of directors’ names and addresses
- Incorporator(s) name(s) and address(es)
- Restrictions
- Effective date
- Incorporator(s) signature
- Notary acknowledgment
Shares of stock distributed to owners and investors

The articles of incorporation will depend based on the type and structure of the corporation. They will also depend upon other state laws. Another critical aspect of the articles of incorporation is the designation of its registered agent. A registered agent is often referred to as an agent for service of process or a resident agent.

States obligate corporations to be represented by a registered agent. The registered agent is required to have a physical office within the state of incorporation. The registered agent is the statutory agent who is responsible for any official documents related to the corporation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Drafting Articles of Incorporation

It is always a good idea to contact an attorney when forming your business. An attorney can advise you on what type of corporation to establish as well as review and revise the corporation’s operating agreement and articles of incorporation. There are usually other documents that have to be filed with the articles of incorporation. The additional forms are typically state-specific. Therefore, it is important to contact your local state agency to inquire about what other documentation is needed.

Also please note, articles of incorporation and bylaws are different, but the difference is simple, articles of incorporation are public record and bylaws are not.

The Benefits of ApproveMe’s WPESignature Tool

E-signatures are easy and convenient. They are also legally binding. ApproveMe offers a revolutionary WPESignature tool to get your company’s documents legally signed. ApproveMe is safe and secure. Copies of signed documents are also sent to all parties involved, score!

ApproveMe.com provides a variety of templates that are beneficial to your business. Check out more templates here!

Powerful Resources for your Business

Growing a business is no easy task. You want to make sure you are excelling in the marketplace and taking advantage of all available resources. Here are a few startup resources that may be helpful for your new business:

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STATE OF ______________ )
_________ COUNTY )

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF _____________________________________

The undersigned, for the purpose of forming a for-profit business corporation in the State of _______________, in compliance with the Alabama Business Corporation Act, hereby adopt the following Articles of Incorporation and certify as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is ____________________________________ (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

DURATION

The period of duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSES

This corporation has been organized for the following purposes: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
.
ARTICLE IV
AUTHORIZED STOCK CAPITAL

The number of shares which the corporation shall have authority to issue is ______ and the per value of each share shall be $_______ for a total authorized capital of $___________.

ARTICLE V
REGISTERED AGENT/OFFICE
The location and street address of the initial registered office of the Corporation is ______________________________________________________________________________ and the name of its initial registered agent at such address is ____________________________.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The names and addresses of the members of the initial Board of Directors are:

NAME

ADDRESS

ARTICLE VII
INCORPORATOR(S)
The name and address of the incorporator(s) is as follows:

The initial members of the Company shall have the right to admit additional members to the Company, but only upon the unanimous written consent of the then-existing members of the Company.
Article VIII

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER OF STOCK

Each share of the capital stock shall be subject to a condition that the transfer of such stock is restricted in that such stock may not be sold to any person or organization which is not then currently a stockholder in the corporation without first tendering the shares to the corporation by notice addressed to the Board of Directors, and then in turn to the other stockholders of the corporation in proportion to their then existing share ownership interests (after disregarding the shares being offered for sale) at the same price and on the same terms as offered to the proposed purchaser. A copy of the offer to purchase or to sell must be sent to the Board of Directors with the notice.

Each certificate representing shares of the capital stock shall bear a legend stating in substance that the capital stock is subject to this Restriction on Transfer. The corporation shall not be obligated to transfer on its books or to recognize for voting or any other purpose any stock sale not conforming with this Article.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator has executed these Articles of Incorporation, on this the _____ day of __________, 20__.

___________________________
Printed Name of Incorporator

___________________________
Incorporator’s Signature

STATE OF ___________ )
__________ COUNTY )

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said county in said state, hereby certify that ________________________, whose name is signed to the foregoing instrument, and who is known to me, acknowledged before me on this day, that, being informed of the contents of the above and foregoing, he executed the same voluntarily on the day the same bears date.

Dated this the _____day of___________________, 20__.

_________________________________
Notary Public

_________________________________
Commission Expires