Incorporate with BusinessAnywhere
We prepare and file your articles of incorporation for $0. You pay only your state’s filing fee, and your first year of registered agent service is free.
Articles of incorporation at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What it is | The document a state filing office accepts to create a corporation. Once the state files it, the corporation exists as a legal entity. |
| Other names | Certificate of incorporation (Delaware, New York, New Jersey), certificate of formation (Texas), corporate charter |
| Who files it | One or more incorporators, who can be any adult. No US citizenship or residency is required. |
| Where you file | The state business filing office, usually the Secretary of State |
| Required contents in most states | Corporate name, number of authorized shares, registered agent and registered office, incorporator name and address |
| State filing fee | From $35 in Montana to $725 in Nevada in year one, depending on the state and on authorized shares in some states |
| Public record | Yes. Anyone can look up and order a copy of filed articles. |
| BusinessAnywhere filing fee | $0 plus the state fee, with standard filing in 10 to 14 working days and 2-day or 5-day expedited options |
What are articles of incorporation?
Articles of incorporation are the founding document of a corporation. You file them with the state where you want the corporation to exist, and the state’s approval of that filing is the moment the corporation is created. The filed articles set out the basic facts the public and the state need: the company’s legal name, how many shares it can issue, who receives legal papers on its behalf and who formed it.
The articles are short. Most states supply a one or two page form. They do not cover how the company is run day to day. That job belongs to the corporate bylaws, an internal document you keep with your records and do not file with the state. A corporate bylaws template covers officers, director elections, meetings and voting.
LLCs file a different document. An LLC files articles of organization (or a certificate of formation in some states), not articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation vs articles of organization guide explains where the two differ.
What articles of incorporation must include
Most states base their corporation law on the Model Business Corporation Act, which requires four items in the articles. Delaware, which writes its own corporation law, requires a slightly longer list under Title 8, Section 102 of the Delaware Code. The table below covers both.
| Section | What it asks for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate name | The legal name, including a designator such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company or Limited, or Corp., Inc., Co. or Ltd. | The name must be distinguishable from every other entity on the state record. Check availability with the state business search before you file. |
| Authorized shares | The total number of shares the corporation can issue, the classes of stock and the par value of each share, or a statement that the shares have no par value | Required in every state. In Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and several others, the filing fee or franchise tax rises with authorized shares. |
| Registered agent and registered office | The name of the registered agent and the street address of the registered office in the state | A PO box is not accepted. The agent receives lawsuits and state notices. See what a registered agent is. |
| Incorporator | The name and address of each person signing and filing the articles | The incorporator does not need to be a shareholder, director or US resident. |
| Purpose | The business the corporation will carry on | Most states accept a general statement that the corporation may engage in any lawful business. Delaware requires a purpose statement and accepts that general wording. |
| Principal office address | The street address of the main office | Required on the state form in many states. A commercial address keeps a home address off the public record. |
| Initial directors | Names and addresses of the first board members | Required in some states. In Delaware, required only when the incorporator’s powers end on filing. |
| Optional provisions | Limits on director liability, indemnification, preemptive rights, share transfer restrictions, a set duration | Optional. Anything not stated here falls back to the state corporation statute and the bylaws. |
Sample articles of incorporation
The sample below shows the structure most state forms follow. It uses a fictional company. Use your own state’s official form or format, since every state sets its own requirements and some reject filings that do not use their form.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF EXAMPLE HOLDINGS, INC.
Article 1. Name. The name of the corporation is Example Holdings, Inc.
Article 2. Purpose. The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the laws of the State of [State].
Article 3. Authorized shares. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
Article 4. Registered agent and registered office. The name of the registered agent is [Registered Agent Name], and the street address of the registered office is [Street Address, City, State, ZIP].
Article 5. Principal office. The street address of the principal office is [Street Address, City, State, ZIP].
Article 6. Incorporator. The name and mailing address of the incorporator is [Full Name, Mailing Address].
Article 7. Initial directors. The initial board of directors consists of one director, [Full Name, Mailing Address], who serves until the first annual meeting of shareholders.
Article 8. Director liability. To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of [State], a director of the corporation is not personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator has signed these Articles of Incorporation on [Date].
______________________________
[Full Name], Incorporator
This sample is for illustration. BusinessAnywhere is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Two choices in the sample deserve thought before you copy them. A very low par value such as $0.0001 keeps the paid-in capital requirement small, and in Delaware the franchise tax is calculated two ways, with the corporation paying the lower result (see Delaware franchise tax). The number of authorized shares sets your fee in share-based states, so authorize what you plan to issue to founders and investors rather than an arbitrary large number.
How to file articles of incorporation
- Choose the state. Most small corporations incorporate in the state where they operate. Founders raising venture capital tend to choose Delaware. Compare the options in Wyoming vs Delaware vs Nevada.
- Check the name. Search the state business database to confirm the name is available, and reserve it if you are not filing right away.
- Appoint a registered agent. The agent needs a physical street address in the state and must be available during business hours. BusinessAnywhere’s registered agent service is free for the first year when you incorporate with us, then $147 a year.
- Set the share structure. Decide the number of authorized shares, the classes and the par value.
- Complete and sign the form. Use the state’s form or its online filing portal. The incorporator signs.
- File and pay the state fee. Most states accept online filing with a card payment. Some charge more for paper filing or offer paid expedited processing.
- Keep the filed copy. The state returns the stamped articles or a certificate of incorporation. Store it with your corporate records, since banks ask for it.
Articles of incorporation filing fees by state
The fee below is the state charge to file articles of incorporation for a for-profit corporation, verified against each state’s official source on 10 September 2026. An asterisk marks a state where the fee rises with authorized shares or capital, or where a second filing is due at formation. Annual report and franchise tax costs are in the full incorporation filing fees by state comparison.
| State | Filing fee | What the fee covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $225 | $200, plus a $25 name reservation that Alabama requires before filing | Official source |
| Alaska | $250 | $250 | Official source |
| Arizona | $60 | $60 regular, $95 expedited | Official source |
| Arkansas | $45 | $45 online, $50 on paper | Official source |
| California | $100 | $100 | Official source |
| Colorado | $50 | $50 | Official source |
| Connecticut | $250 | $250 | Official source |
| Delaware * | $109+ | $109 minimum, rising with authorized stock, plus $9 per additional page | Official source |
| District of Columbia * | $99+ | $99 for authorized capital up to $100,000, then $550, $1,100 and $1,650 at higher bands | Official source |
| Florida | $70 | $70, being a $35 filing fee plus a $35 registered agent designation | Official source |
| Georgia | $110 | $110, being $100 plus a $10 service charge | Official source |
| Hawaii | $51 | $51, being a $50 filing fee plus the $1 State Archives preservation fee | Official source |
| Idaho | $100 | $100 online, $120 on paper, because paper filings carry a $20 manual processing fee | Official source |
| Illinois | $150 | $150 | Official source |
| Indiana | $95 | $95 | Official source |
| Iowa | $50 | $50 | Official source |
| Kansas | $85 | $85 online, $90 on paper | Official source |
| Kentucky * | $50+ | $40 plus organization tax on authorized shares, minimum $10, so $50 at the floor | Official source |
| Louisiana | $95 | $95 | Official source |
| Maine | $145 | $145 | Official source |
| Maryland | $120 | $120 for a stock corporation | Official source |
| Massachusetts * | $275+ | $275 for up to 275,000 authorized shares, plus $100 for each additional 100,000 | Official source |
| Michigan * | $60+ | $60 minimum, being a $50 organization fee for 1 to 60,000 shares plus a $10 filing fee | Official source |
| Minnesota | $135 | $135 by mail, $155 online | Official source |
| Mississippi | $50 | $50 | Official source |
| Missouri * | $58+ | $58 for authorized capital of $30,000 or less, scaling with no ceiling above that | Official source |
| Montana | $35 | $35 | Official source |
| Nebraska * | $125+ | $100 online or $110 in office, plus mandatory newspaper publication and a $25 to $30 Affidavit of Publication | Official source |
| Nevada * | $725+ | $725 minimum in year one, being $75 Articles plus a $150 Initial List plus the $500 State Business License | Official source |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100, plus a $2 handling charge if filed electronically | Official source |
| New Jersey | $100 | $100 | Official source |
| New Mexico * | $100+ | $100 minimum, at $1.00 per 1,000 authorized shares, capped at $1,000 | Official source |
| New York | $125 | $125 | Official source |
| North Carolina | $125 | $125 | Official source |
| North Dakota | $100 | $100 | Official source |
| Ohio * | $99+ | $99 minimum for 1 to 990 authorized shares, rising on a graduated per-share scale above that | Official source |
| Oklahoma * | $50+ | $50 minimum, or one tenth of one percent of authorized capital, whichever is greater | Official source |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | Official source |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $125 | Official source |
| Rhode Island | $230 | $230 | Official source |
| South Carolina * | $135+ | $135 in year one, being $110 Articles of Incorporation plus the $25 initial License Fee filed with the CL-1 | Official source |
| South Dakota | $150 | $150 electronic, $165 on paper | Official source |
| Tennessee | $100 | $100 flat | Official source |
| Texas | $300 | $300 | Official source |
| Utah | $59 | $59 | Official source |
| Vermont | $155 | $155 | Official source |
| Virginia * | $75+ | $75 for 1 to 25,000 authorized shares, rising to $2,525 above 1,000,000 shares | Official source |
| Washington | $180 | $180 | Official source |
| West Virginia | $100 | $100, plus a $1 online processing fee on every online filing | Official source |
| Wisconsin | $100 | $100, the same online or on paper | Official source |
| Wyoming * | $100+ | $100 | Official source |
What each state calls the document
The document goes by different names. The content is the same, but the state form title matters when you search the filing office website.
| Name | States that use it |
|---|---|
| Articles of incorporation | Most states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wyoming |
| Certificate of incorporation | Delaware, New York and New Jersey, among others (see New York Department of State) |
| Certificate of formation | Texas, which uses Form 201 for a for-profit corporation |
| Corporate charter | A general term for the filed document, used in some state statutes |
Articles of incorporation vs bylaws vs articles of organization
| Articles of incorporation | Corporate bylaws | Articles of organization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity | Corporation | Corporation | LLC |
| Filed with the state | Yes | No | Yes |
| Public record | Yes | No | Yes |
| Purpose | Creates the corporation and records its basic facts | Sets the internal rules for officers, directors, meetings and voting | Creates the LLC and records its basic facts |
| When it is prepared | Before formation | At or right after formation | Before formation |
If you have not settled on the entity type yet, compare the two structures in LLC vs corporation, or read about articles of organization for an LLC.
What to do after you file
The state filing creates the corporation. These steps make it ready to operate:
| Step | Why it matters | BusinessAnywhere price |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt bylaws | Sets the internal rules and is expected by banks and investors | $97 |
| Hold the organizational meeting and record minutes | Appoints officers, adopts the bylaws and authorizes share issuance | $97 for organizational minutes |
| Get an EIN from the IRS | Needed for a bank account, payroll and federal tax filings | $97 EIN application service, or free directly from the IRS |
| Pass a banking resolution | Names who can open and sign on the corporate bank account | $27 |
| File an S corp election, if you want one | Form 2553 is due within 2 months and 15 days of the start of the tax year it takes effect | $97 S corp election service. Form details at the IRS |
| Register in other states where you do business | A corporation operating outside its home state needs foreign qualification there | Quoted per state |
| File the annual or biennial report | Keeps the corporation in good standing with the state | $50 a year from year 2 for automated compliance, plus the state fee |
The bylaws, minutes and banking resolution are available together as corporate documents, prepared from a standard template with your company details in 1 to 3 business days.
How to amend articles of incorporation
To change anything in the filed articles, such as the name, the number of authorized shares or the registered agent, the corporation files articles of amendment (called a certificate of amendment in some states) with the same office. The board approves the change and, for most amendments, the shareholders vote on it. A change of registered agent alone uses a shorter form in most states.
How to get a copy of your articles of incorporation
Filed articles are public records. Search the state business database by the corporation’s name to see the filing, and order a plain or certified copy from the filing office for a small fee. A bank or a state where you register as a foreign corporation asks for a certificate of good standing, which is a separate document confirming the corporation is current with the state.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in articles of incorporation?
Most states require the corporate name, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, the name of the registered agent and the street address of the registered office, and the name and address of each incorporator. Many states also ask for the principal office address, the purpose and the initial directors.
Are articles of incorporation the same as a certificate of incorporation?
Yes. Delaware, New York and New Jersey call the filed document a certificate of incorporation, and Texas calls it a certificate of formation. They serve the same purpose as articles of incorporation.
What is the difference between articles of incorporation and articles of organization?
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. Articles of organization form an LLC. Both are filed with the state, but a corporation issues shares and has directors and officers, while an LLC has members and is governed by an operating agreement.
Where do I find my articles of incorporation?
Search the business database of the state where the corporation was formed. The filing shows there, and the state filing office sells plain and certified copies.
How much does it cost to file articles of incorporation?
State filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $725 in Nevada for the first year. In share-based states such as Delaware, Massachusetts and Virginia, the fee rises with the number of authorized shares. BusinessAnywhere files for $0 plus the state fee.
Can a non-US resident file articles of incorporation?
Yes. No US state requires an incorporator, director or shareholder to be a US citizen or resident. The corporation needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state of incorporation.
Do I need a lawyer to file articles of incorporation?
No state requires a lawyer to file. Founders with investors, several share classes or unusual provisions benefit from legal review before filing.
How long does it take for articles of incorporation to be approved?
Processing time depends on the state and on whether you pay for expedited service. BusinessAnywhere’s standard filing takes 10 to 14 working days, with 2-day and 5-day expedited options. The state’s own processing time is outside our control.
File your articles of incorporation for $0
BusinessAnywhere prepares and files your articles of incorporation in any state. You pay the state fee, and registered agent service is free for the first year.
BusinessAnywhere is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. State fees were verified on 10 September 2026 and change over time; confirm the current fee with the state before you file.
