Articles of incorporation template
Set out the basic facts that create a corporation in one clear document.
Opens a fillable version in your browser. Free, no account, and free to download. This is a helper, not the official form.
About Articles of incorporation
Articles of incorporation are the founding document that brings a corporation into existence. They record the core facts about the company, such as its name, purpose, the number of shares it can issue, its registered agent, and the people who form it. A state filing office normally keeps a copy once the corporation is registered.
This page is a general template and a convenience for drafting, not legal advice, and for important matters consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction. State forms and filing rules differ, so confirm the required content and format with the office where you plan to register before you file.
Who needs to complete it
- Founders who want to form a corporation for a new business.
- Small business owners moving from a sole proprietorship to a corporation.
- Groups organizing a nonprofit that must be incorporated.
- Anyone who needs a clear draft of the corporation's basic facts before filing.
How to fill out Articles of incorporation
- 1Enter the exact corporate name you want, including any required ending such as Inc or Corporation.
- 2State the purpose of the corporation, either a general purpose or a specific business activity.
- 3Give the principal office address and the name and address of the registered agent who will receive legal mail.
- 4Set out the share structure, including the number of authorized shares and any classes of stock.
- 5List the incorporator or incorporators who are forming the company, with their names and addresses.
- 6Name the initial directors if your state asks for them at this stage.
- 7Review the whole document for accuracy, then have each incorporator sign and date it.
- 8Confirm the filing steps and any fee with the state office before you submit.
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Frequently asked questions
What are articles of incorporation used for?
They are the document that legally forms a corporation and records its core facts, such as name, purpose, shares, and registered agent. This page is a general template and a convenience, not legal advice, and for important matters consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.
Do I file this with the state?
Corporations are normally registered by filing with a state office. The exact form, required content, and fee vary, so confirm what your state needs before you file.
What is a registered agent?
It is the person or company named to receive legal notices and official mail for the corporation. Most states require you to list one with an address in the state.
How is this different from corporate bylaws?
Articles of incorporation create the company with the state. Bylaws are the internal rules for how the corporation runs. Many companies prepare both.