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3 Easy Steps to File Articles of Incorporation With 5 Sample Examples

Articles of Incorporation Example

Filing articles of incorporation is the first step in forming a corporation. This document provides the legal foundation for your business and outlines its basic structure and purpose.

In this article, we will provide you with three easy steps to file articles of incorporation, along with five sample examples to help you get started.

Why Bother? Here are the Benefits of Filing Articles of Incorporation

Filing articles of incorporation offers a number of benefits for your business, including:

articles of incorporation example

Limited liability: Corporations provide limited liability to their owners, meaning that they are not personally liable for the debts and liabilities of the business.
Tax benefits: Corporations can take advantage of a number of tax benefits, including the ability to deduct business expenses and defer taxes on profits.
Credibility: Filing articles of incorporation can help to give your business a more credible and professional image.
Easier to raise capital: Corporations can more easily raise capital from investors than unincorporated businesses.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Articles of Incorporation

Filing articles of incorporation is a relatively simple process. Here are the three steps involved:

1. Choose a name for your corporation.

3 Easy Steps to File Articles of Incorporation With 5 Sample Examples

The first step is to choose a name for your corporation. The name must be unique and not already in use by another business in your state. You can search for available business names on the website of your state's Secretary of State.

2. Draft your articles of incorporation.

The next step is to draft your articles of incorporation. This document should include the following information:

Articles of Incorporation Example

The name of your corporation
The address of your corporation's registered office
The names and addresses of your corporation's directors and officers
The number of shares of stock that your corporation is authorized to issue
A statement of your corporation's purpose

You can find sample articles of incorporation on the website of your state's Secretary of State.

3. File your articles of incorporation with the state.

Once you have drafted your articles of incorporation, you need to file them with the Secretary of State in the state where your corporation will be headquartered. The filing fee varies from state to state.

5 Sample Articles of Incorporation Examples

Here are five sample articles of incorporation examples to help you get started:

Example 1: A simple articles of incorporation for a small business
Example 2: Articles of incorporation for a nonprofit corporation
Example 3: Articles of incorporation for a professional corporation
Example 4: Articles of incorporation for a close corporation
Example 5: Articles of incorporation for a public corporation

Effective Strategies for Filing Articles of Incorporation

Here are some effective strategies for filing articles of incorporation:

Limited liability:

Use a lawyer. If you are not comfortable drafting your own articles of incorporation, you can hire a lawyer to help you.
File online. Many states now offer online filing for articles of incorporation. This can save you time and money.
File early. Filing your articles of incorporation early will help to protect your business name and give you access to certain tax benefits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Articles of Incorporation

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when filing articles of incorporation:

Using a common name. Do not use a name that is already in use by another business in your state.
Not including all of the required information. Make sure to include all of the required information in your articles of incorporation, such as the name of your corporation, the address of your corporation's registered office, and the names and addresses of your corporation's directors and officers.
Filing in the wrong state. File your articles of incorporation in the state where your corporation will be headquartered.
Not filing on time. File your articles of incorporation as soon as possible to protect your business name and give you access to certain tax benefits.

Conclusion

Filing articles of incorporation is an important step in forming a corporation. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can file your articles of incorporation quickly and easily.

Additional Resources

Tables

State	Filing Fee
California	$75
Delaware	$90
Florida	$125
New York	$150
Texas	$300

Type of Corporation	Purpose
C Corporation	For-profit corporation
S Corporation	Small business corporation
Nonprofit Corporation	Not-for-profit corporation
Close Corporation	Corporation with a limited number of shareholders
Public Corporation	Corporation with shares that are publicly traded