A New York Certificate of Incorporation is a document issued by the New York Department of State that officially recognizes a business as a corporation formed in the state of New York. This document is necessary for a business to obtain the legal protection and advantages associated with corporate status. The Certificate of Incorporation establishes the business’s basic corporate structure, including the corporation’s name, its registered office address, and the names and addresses of its initial directors and shareholders. It also outlines the purpose of the corporation, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, whether the corporation will be managed by directors or shareholders, and the duration of the corporation. There are two types of New York Certificate of Incorporation: Standard and Professional. The Standard Certificate of Incorporation is for general business purposes, while the Professional Certificate of Incorporation is for professional service businesses such as law firms, accounting firms, and medical practices.