Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
There's also the fact that if you don't list the number of directors in your Articles of Incorporation, you're legally required to list that information in your bylaws (see California Corp Code § 212). The bottom line: corporate bylaws are not legally required, but they're pretty much essential for your corporation.
(a) Voluntary proceedings for winding up the corporation commence upon the adoption of the resolution of shareholders or directors of the corporation electing to wind up and dissolve, or upon the filing with the corporation of a written consent of shareholders thereto.
Corporations Code - CORP. TITLE 1 - CORPORATIONS. DIVISION 1 - GENERAL CORPORATION LAW.
In the case of LLCs, the current statute (Corporations Code § 17702.09(a)(8)) requires disclosure as to "any member or any manager". This is obviously more burdensome that the analogous requirement for corporations (Sections 1502(a)(10) 7 2117(a)(8)) which requires disclosure only as to officers and directors.
To form a corporation in California, Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the California Secretary of State's office. Forms for the most common types of Articles of Incorporation are available on our Forms, Samples and Fees webpage. You may use the form or prepare your own statutorily compliant document.
The certificate of the Secretary of State, under the Secretary of State's official seal, certifying to the receipt of process, the giving of notice thereof to the corporation and the forwarding of such process pursuant to this section, shall be competent and prima facie evidence of the matters stated therein.
There's also the fact that if you don't list the number of directors in your Articles of Incorporation, you're legally required to list that information in your bylaws (see California Corp Code § 212). The bottom line: corporate bylaws are not legally required, but they're pretty much essential for your corporation.
To form a California LLP, partners are required to file an Application to Register a Limited Liability Partnership with the Secretary of State (SOS).