Online Incorporation MaxBlog

If you’re incorporating your business, chances are you’ve heard you will need "articles of incorporation". Though it may sound like a complicated set of documents, it is actually the initial document that sets forth the information about a corporation that is required by the laws of the state in which you are forming your corporation.

Articles of incorporation are sometimes also called the certificate of incorporation or charter - in fact, these 3 terms are often used interchangeably. Bear in mind that some of that information will be included in the public record.

So, if you are forming a corporation in California for example, you’ll need to submit the information required for California articles of incorporation. Here you can learn more about the specifics for incorporating in California , including articles of incorporation.

Articles of Incorporation

Also known as “Charter” or “Certificate of Incorporation” in some states. The Article of Incorporation is the legal document that is filed with The Secretary of State (state agency) to start the corporation.

Shareholder

Person who owns shares of a company’s stock. In small corporations, shareholders are officers and directors of the corporations.

Board of Directors

The board of directors oversees major corporate decisions and elects the officers.

Officers

Elected by the board of directors. Officers include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Registered Agent

Also known as “resident agent” in some states; person or incorporation company that is designated by the corporation to receive tax and legal documents on behalf of the corporation. Failure to maintain a Registered Agent in the jurisdiction where the corporation is registered may result in the forfeiture of the corporate status.

Bylaws

Rules and regulations that govern the structure and operation of the corporation.