Are articles of incorporation public? The answer is yes . These documents, which are filed with the Secretary of State or similar agency to create a new business entity, are available for public viewing.
Are articles of incorporation legal documents?
Articles of incorporation in California are a set of legal documents required for business owners to establish their entity as a corporation in the state. ... Once you have established your corporation with the state of California, you will be required to create corporate bylaws.
Are Articles of Incorporation confidential?
Articles of incorporation are public, so it is important to omit any confidential business information . It is also important to keep in mind that each state will have different filing requirements. Checking the local state website can provide you with an updated list of required documents.
Are Articles of Incorporation the same as certificate of organization?
The articles of incorporation and certificate of incorporation are interchangeable words in some states , such as California. Many people use either of these words when talking about the articles or certificate of incorporation. The name of the company should be identified in the documents.
Do articles of incorporation expire?
The Corporation Code, which was established in 1980, allows corporations to exist for 50 years from the incorporation date . This can be extended by 50 years at a time by amending the articles of incorporation. This can be done within five years of the original expiration date.
Are bylaws the same as articles of incorporation?
Bylaws are not the same as articles of incorporation —the articles are a short document filed with your state to form your business. Bylaws are a longer, more detailed, internal document. Both for-profit and nonprofit corporations should have bylaws.
Where can I find the articles of incorporation?
To obtain copies of your company's articles of incorporation or articles of organization online, visit California's Secretary of State's website . To request paper copies, complete this form and follow the instructions.
Why do banks need articles of incorporation?
Your articles of incorporation show the bank how your business is structured , and you use these legal documents to register your business with the state and other entities.
Do I need articles of incorporation for a sole proprietorship?
There are no documents to file to begin a sole proprietorship or a partnership. However, businesses are required to file articles of incorporation, also known as a certificate of formation, to legally form a corporation in any state. ... This requirement is not imposed on sole proprietorships or partnerships.
What is included in the articles of incorporation?
Articles of incorporation are a set of formal documents filed with a government body to legally document the creation of a corporation. Articles of incorporation generally contain pertinent information, such as the firm's name, street address, agent for service of process, and the amount and type of stock to be issued .
Can articles of incorporation be changed?
When you form a California corporation, you file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State's office. After your corporation is formed, however, you can make changes to sections of your Articles by filing a Certificate of Amendment .
What happens if you let your LLC expire?
Articles can state a date upon which an LLC expires. If no expiration date is stated, the LLC continues perpetually . Members can also list events in an operating agreement that shall cause an LLC to terminate, such as bankruptcy or a member's death.
What is the difference between Articles of Incorporation and articles of organization?
The biggest difference, however, is that each serves a different purpose. Whereas articles of organization are used to establish an LLC, articles of incorporation are used to create a corporation . ... Also, articles of organization require just one registered agent, whereas articles of incorporation require three.
How do nonprofits fill out Articles of Incorporation?
- Legal Name of the Organization (Not taken by other companies in your State)
- Address of the Organization (Should be in the Incorporating State)
- Incorporator of the Nonprofit Organization.
Is corporate resolution the same as Articles of Incorporation?
Once the Articles of Incorporation are filed and a Certificate of Incorporation is received from the Secretary of State the corporation should hold the organizational meetings. ... A corporate resolution is a written document describing the action taken by the directors of a corporation .
What are the articles of incorporation for a nonprofit?
Your nonprofit articles of incorporation is a legal document filed with the secretary of state to create your nonprofit corporation . This process is called incorporating. In some states, the articles of incorporation is called a certificate of incorporation or corporate charter.
