Get Help Filing Articles of Incorporation
A corporation filing begins with the business details that the state requires. Those details must be prepared before the paperwork is submitted. At MyCorporation, we help you complete the Articles of Incorporation, add related services, and move the filing forward. You can also use our service for corporation filings after approval.
Prepare Your Corporation Filing
Before filing, we gather the key business details needed for the Articles of Incorporation, such as your corporation's name, purpose, office address, registered agent, and incorporator information.
Our team gathers the information the state asks for. We use the details you provide to prepare the filing for submission.
Submit Articles of Incorporation to the State
Once you've prepared the documents, we submit the Articles of Incorporation to the state office. The office reviews new corporation filings under state rules. The form and required information can vary by state. We submit your filing based on the process that applies to your order and location.
Add Registered Agent Service
States may require a registered agent when a corporation is formed. The registered agent accepts legal documents and government mail for the company.
We offer registered agent service if you want to include it with your filing. You can add the service during checkout and keep it connected to the corporation record after approval.
Manage Related Corporation Filings
Forming the corporation is the first filing step. After approval, your business may need additional documents for state records and compliance purposes, such as annual reports, amendments, certificates, and foreign qualification filings. Related filing support helps keep your corporation's records active and up to date.
What Are Articles of Incorporation?
Articles of Incorporation are the documents that legally create your corporation. They set up your business as a corporation instead of a sole proprietorship or partnership. Every corporation begins with this filing, which gives your business official status in the state.
These papers show core facts about the corporation, including its legal name, share plan, filing party, and business contact details. The exact form varies by state. Once accepted, the corporation begins as a separate business entity under state law.
What Is the Purpose of Articles of Incorporation?
The main purpose of the Articles of Incorporation is to officially register your corporation with the state. This document gives the state your business's key details and starts your corporation's official record.
- Keeps the corporation on the official state record
- Converts the business into a corporation under state law
- Shows the legal name of the corporation
- Provides core filing details the state reviews
- Identifies the registered agent and business address when required
- Includes stock information that the state wants on the form
- Identifies the incorporator named in the paperwork
- Supports the next paperwork steps after the corporation is approved
Information We Need to File Articles of Incorporation
At MyCorporation, we need your business details to prepare the Articles of Incorporation for filing. The state reviews that information before it records the corporation. Each item plays an important role in the form.
Here are the details we need to complete the filing:
Business Name
The filing needs the corporation name you plan to register. That name must comply with the state office's rules and be different from any active business names already listed in that state. Many states require a corporate ending to show the business is formed as a corporation.
Business Purpose
The Articles of Incorporation may include a business purpose section describing the work or function of the corporation. One state may allow general business activity language; another may require a purpose statement that matches the service the company plans to provide. The purpose you write should match the corporation type and your state's filing rules.
Principal Office Address
The filing may require your corporation's principal office address — the main business location entered on the state record. The address format must follow the rules on the filing form. A state may ask for a physical location, a mailing address, or both.
Registered Agent Information
You'll also need to provide the registered agent's name and office address, which is where legal papers and state notices are sent. Many states require this to be a physical street address, not a P.O. box. The details you give must match your corporation's record. We offer registered agent services to help with this step.
Incorporator Information
Each Articles of Incorporation filing needs an incorporator, who signs and submits the paperwork to the state. We'll need their name, address, and signature to complete the form. The incorporator doesn't have to be an owner or director, and the number of incorporators allowed depends on your state's rules.
Authorized Shares
If your corporation will issue stock, the filing may ask for the number of authorized shares, which is how many shares your corporation can issue. The form might also request information about share classes or par value. These details are important for the stock section of your filing.
Directors or Officers
We also need the details of your corporation's directors and officers. Some states ask for director or officer details in the Articles of Incorporation. You'll need to provide names, contact details, positions within the company, and any other relevant information.
Articles of Incorporation for Different Corporation Types
At MyCorporation, we prepare Articles of Incorporation for different types of corporations. The filing process can vary for each, and each type may need to meet certain state rules. The documents, filing details, and processing time can differ.
Here are the corporation types for which we file articles of incorporation:
- C Corporations: Form a C corporation by filing Articles of Incorporation with the state. This is the standard corporate structure for many for‑profit businesses. The filing may ask for stock information and other required details.
- S Corporations: An S corporation does not start with a separate state formation document. It begins as a corporation through the Articles of Incorporation. After that, you may request S corporation tax treatment with the IRS, provided you meet federal rules.
- B Corporations: The Articles of Incorporation for a B Corporation may need benefit‑related wording, including a statement about the public benefit the corporation plans to support. The filing still forms a corporation for business use and reflects the additional purpose required under the state's benefit corporation law.
- Nonprofit Corporations: May need added language in the Articles of Incorporation, including purpose wording, asset use terms, and dissolution language. These details help match the nonprofit structure being formed.
- Professional Corporations: Doctors, lawyers, and other licensed professionals can form a professional corporation if state law allows. In the Articles of Incorporation, you need to specify the type of professional services you provide. It may also require license details or profession‑specific approvals. These rules depend on the state and the field involved.
Filing Process of Articles of Incorporation
The filing process starts with the information required for the Articles of Incorporation. Each piece of information helps complete the form and prepare the corporation documents. We fill in all the details before submission. Our team collects the details, assembles the documents, and submits them to the state.
- Select the corporation type that fits your business
- Choose the corporation name for the filing
- Provide the required business details for the form
- Add registered agent details if the state requires that section
- Include the share information if the corporation will issue stock
- Review the filing for state‑required entries
- Prepare the Articles of Incorporation from the information provided
- Submit the filing to the state office for review
- Wait for the state's decision on your corporation filing
- Move to the next business steps after approval
How Long Does It Take to Complete Articles of Incorporation Filings?
The time to complete Articles of Incorporation filings varies from state to state. A filing may take a few business days or longer when reviews are already pending. The timeline depends on the filing office and the details you enter on the form.
You might have to wait longer if the state asks for more information or corrections. Filing online is often faster than mailing forms. Processing time begins once your filing arrives at the state office and is added to the review queue.
- State filing workload
- Filing method used
- Form accuracy
- Missing business details
- Name review issues
- Extra state forms
- Manual review steps
- State office holidays
- Expedited filing choice (if available)
Can the Articles of Incorporation Be Customized?
Yes, the Articles of Incorporation can be customized to fit your business and your state's filing rules. The form may allow additional wording in certain sections, stock terms, purpose statements, or special language required for a specific corporate type. The document doesn't look the same across all filings.
The amount of change depends on what the state allows in that form. A business may need added language for nonprofit, benefit, or professional use. Any added wording must comply with the state's filing rules. The state reviews the document based on those rules before accepting the filing.
What Are the Benefits of Filing Articles of Incorporation?
Filing Articles of Incorporation creates your corporation with the state and establishes your business as a formal legal entity. That filing also helps separate the corporation from the individuals associated with it. Once approved, your corporation can operate under its legal name and corporate records.
- Form a corporation with the state
- Place your business under a corporate structure
- Create a separate legal entity
- Put your corporation name on the state record
- Support stock issuance when your corporation issues shares
- Help prepare for corporate bylaws and internal records
- Create a foundation for tax, banking, and licensing steps
- Support business operations under your corporation name
Common Filing Issues We Solve When Filing Articles of Incorporation
The state may reject or question a corporation filing when key details are missing. Filing errors can also come from name conflicts or incomplete sections. At MyCorporation, we help review paperwork before submission and address common issues related to state filing requirements.
- Business Name Problems: The corporation name must meet state naming requirements and cannot conflict with an existing name. Our team checks the name early to avoid issues.
- Missing Information: A state form may be returned when required fields (business details, addresses, signature sections) are left blank. We help prepare the filing with the information needed for the form.
- Registered Agent Errors: The state may reject the filing if the agent's name is incorrect or the office address doesn't meet state requirements. You can provide the exact information or choose our registered agent service.
- Share Section Issues: When stock information is required, the share section must be completed correctly (share amount, class, related entries). We help prepare that part of the filing.
- Wrong Corporation Type Information: The filing must match the corporation type being formed. A nonprofit filing cannot read like a standard for‑profit form. The structure you choose affects what belongs in the document.
- Signature Problems: The filing may need a signature from the incorporator or another required party. We help check that the signing section is ready before the filing goes out.
- State‑Specific Form Requirements: Each state may require different entries, additional language, or extra forms. We help ensure those items aren't missed.
- Address Entry Mistakes: The form may ask for multiple addresses, each serving a different purpose. Our team helps place the right address in the right section.
What Happens After Articles of Incorporation Are Approved
Once the Articles of Incorporation are approved, your corporation begins as a legal business entity. The state places your business on record under its corporation name. From there, your company can move into its next internal and tax‑related steps.
After approval, your corporation may need bylaws, an EIN, a business bank account, and any licenses tied to its work. State compliance duties may also begin after formation. We offer support for later filings connected to the corporation record.
Why Choose Us for Filing Articles of Incorporation
MyCorporation helps you file your Articles of Incorporation and supports you throughout the process. You can also use our services for future business filings. With years of experience, nationwide coverage, and extra services, we're here for businesses that need more than just one filing.
- 25+ years of filing experience since 1998
- Corporation filing support in all 50 states
- Helped form over 1 million businesses
- Articles of Incorporation included in corporation formation packages
- Registered agent service available with filing support
- Access to annual reports, amendments, and foreign qualification filings
- EIN filing and business license services available
- MaintainMyBiz provides ongoing business maintenance
File Articles of Incorporation With MyCorporation
Start your Articles of Incorporation filing with MyCorporation. We'll help you with the paperwork from the very beginning. Our team prepares and submits your documents and offers support for related services. Call us at 877.692.6772 to get started.
