Corporation Certificate Of Incorporation Template for United States

A Certificate of Incorporation is a formal document filed with a U.S. state government (typically the Secretary of State) to legally establish a corporation. It outlines the basic elements of the corporation including its name, purpose, stock structure, and registered agent. This document serves as the corporation's charter and provides it with legal recognition under state law.

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What is a Corporation Certificate Of Incorporation?

The Corporation Certificate of Incorporation is a foundational document required when establishing a new corporation in the United States. It must be filed with the appropriate state authority to create legal recognition of the corporation as a separate entity. This document includes essential information such as the corporation's name, purpose, stock structure, registered agent, and incorporator details. It serves as the primary charter document and is required in all U.S. states, though specific requirements may vary by jurisdiction. The certificate becomes public record upon filing and remains a crucial reference document throughout the corporation's existence.

What sections should be included in a Corporation Certificate Of Incorporation?

1. Article I - Corporate Name: Legal name of the corporation and any DBA names

2. Article II - Registered Office and Agent: Official address and registered agent information

3. Article III - Corporate Purpose: Statement of business purpose and permitted activities

4. Article IV - Capital Stock: Authorized shares, classes, and par value

5. Article V - Incorporator: Information about the person(s) forming the corporation

What sections are optional to include in a Corporation Certificate Of Incorporation?

1. Article VI - Board of Directors: Initial directors and board structure - used when initial directors are known at incorporation

2. Article VII - Preemptive Rights: Shareholders' rights to purchase new stock issuances - used when shareholders should have first right to purchase new shares

3. Article VIII - Corporate Bylaws: Reference to adoption of bylaws - used when specific bylaw provisions need to be referenced in certificate

What schedules should be included in a Corporation Certificate Of Incorporation?

1. Schedule A - Stock Subscription: Initial stock subscribers and their commitments

2. Schedule B - Initial Directors: List of initial board members if known

3. Schedule C - Required State-Specific Forms: Additional forms required by state of incorporation

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use

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