Article Of Incorporation

If you want to structure your business as a corporation, one of the first formal steps you'll need to take is to file a special document with a particular state office. In most states, the document is known as the articles of incorporation, and in most states it needs to be filed with the Secretary of State.

Every state has a form for the articles of incorporation. You can find your state's form on the website of the state agency that handles business filings. In most states, that's the secretary of state, but some states have a different business filing agency.

Initially, Alabama requires all entities to file the one-time filing of an Initial Business Privilege Tax Return (Form BPT-IN) with the Department of Revenue within two and one-half months of incorporation.

Submit your articles of incorporation to the Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the corporation's initial registered office is located. You must submit a packet containing the original articles of incorporation (also called Certificate of Formation), two copies, and the Certificate of Name Reservation.

Obtaining a copy of a company's Articles of Incorporation is a relatively simple process. In most states, a certified copy can be requested by visiting the office of the Secretary of State in person or by phone, mail, or the state's online system.

Related. Corporations are generally categorized as S or C corporations. A corporation must file articles of incorporation in the state in which it is located. Sometimes articles of incorporation are referred to as certificates of incorporation or charter documents.

To incorporate in Alabama, you must file the articles of incorporation, also known in Alabama as the Domestic Business Corporation Certificate of Formation, and a Certificate of Name Reservation in the office of the probate judge in the county where your corporation's business offices are located.

Filing articles of incorporation is legally required for any business owners planning to structure a new or established company as a professional corporation, nonprofit corporation or other classification. Each state has different required paperwork and rules for filing articles of incorporation.

Articles of Organization are generally used for LLC formation, while Articles of Incorporation are the type of documents that you need to form a C Corporation or S Corporation. But the general concept remains the same you need to file these articles upfront as part of starting your business as a legal entity.