Free Articles of Incorporation Template

Articles of incorporation are official documents used to register a corporation with the state. Filing them makes your business a separate legal entity and protects you from personal liability, as long as you follow corporate formalities and keep the business and your personal finances separate.

These articles typically include your business name, address, purpose, corporate structure, and authorized shares. Once filed, they become part of the public record.

To write your articles of incorporation, follow these key steps:

1. List Your Corporation’s Details

Start with the basics:

• Corporation name (must be unique in your state)
• Physical and mailing (or registered office) address
• General business purpose

You may also include a trade name if your corporation will operate under a different name.

2. Name Key Roles

Include the following parties:

• Incorporator: The person completing and signing the articles
• Registered agent: The individual or service receiving legal documents on behalf of the corporation
• Directors: Required in some states
• Officers (optional): President, secretary, treasurer

Check your state’s laws to see which roles must be listed.

3. Define Authorized Stock

Indicate the number and types of shares your corporation can issue:

• Total shares authorized
• Classes of stock (common, preferred)
• Whether shares have par value

Par value is a nominal amount for legal purposes, not the actual market price.

4. Set Duration and Effective Date

Most corporations are perpetual, but you can define a specific end date if needed. You can also delay your corporation’s start date if you don’t want it to be effective immediately.

5. Add Optional Provisions

You may include extra rules such as:

• Voting procedures
• Shareholder rights
• Indemnity clauses

These can also be added to your bylaws instead.

6. Sign and Submit

The incorporator and registered agent must both sign. Most states don’t require notarization.

File your articles with the appropriate state agency, usually the Secretary of State. Filing methods vary by state, and fees typically range from $50 to $300.

After filing:

• Your business becomes legally incorporated
• Your articles become part of the public record
• You may need to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report within 90 days of approval

Here’s how articles of incorporation compare to other business documents and what each one does.