Starting a business is more than just paperwork — it's about bringing your dream into reality. If you're a founder, you've likely imagined this moment countless times. And incorporating your business is the first step in an incredible journey.
But business owners often find the process confusing, especially when it’s your first time walking through it.
A key document you’ll need to get started is your articles of incorporation. We’ve created a free articles of incorporation template so you can hit the ground running.
You can access the template below and then keep reading to learn what articles of incorporation are, why they matter, and our top tips for incorporating your business.
Articles of incorporation are essential business formation documents that officially establish a new corporation, including S corporations and C corporations. The corporation files them with the respective state government where the corporation operates, and as a result, specifics can vary from state to state.
In some states, articles of incorporation go by different names, such as:
Articles of incorporation must contain specific information, including the corporation's name, the principal office's location, its purpose, and primary activities. You’ll also need to list the initial board of directors, how many shares of stock you’re offering, par value (minimum price at which the corporation can be sold), and the corporation's duration (the length of time the corporation is expected to operate), among other details.
This is only a partial list. The exact details that need to be included vary based on your state and the type of corporation you’re forming.
If you’re starting a corporation, articles of incorporation are your first step toward legally establishing your entity. It’s an essential move before you can do actual business as a corporation.
Ready to create your own articles of incorporation? Don’t start from scratch! Use our free template that makes it easy to get started. Simply fill out the form below and you'll get your own copy. Fill in the bracketed fields, and you’ll be on your way to finalizing your articles of incorporation.
Before setting up your articles of incorporation, gather the necessary documents and information. We've created an incorporation documents checklist to help you prepare and get moving.
You’ll also need to consider other factors, like what kind of business you’re creating and any unique requirements in your state.
When filling out your articles of incorporation, you’ll need to specify the type of corporation you’re starting. Before proceeding, make sure you’ve determined what kind of organization you want to create.
S corps, C corps, and nonprofit organizations have certain differences, such as how your business will operate and be taxed.
S corporations often have lower functional tax rates but are limited in size and scope. For example, S corps can have a maximum of 100 shareholders and one stock class. S corps also operate as pass-through entities, meaning each shareholder pays taxes on profits as part of their total income.
C corporations are more common and scalable, with no limit to the total number or class of shares. However, they face the challenge of the dreaded double taxation, where the corporation and its shareholders are both taxed.
Nonprofit status reduces the tax burden. However, nonprofit organizations still need articles of incorporation.
Quick note: limited liability companies (LLCs) don’t need to fill out articles of incorporation. Instead, they require articles of organization and may need to claim or register trade names, DBAs, and/or fictitious names.
Since articles of incorporation are state-level documents, where you file matters. Filing fees and specific procedures can vary, and the type of organization (for-profit vs. nonprofit) may also affect the requirements and process in your state.
Visit your Secretary of State’s website to clarify what might be different in your state.
Incorporating your business can feel overwhelming. Admittedly, tracking down specific requirements in some states can be challenging. But this step is vital to establishing your business, so it’s important to get it right!
Follow these three tips as you work to incorporate your business.
The jump from side hustle to LLC (or LLC to S corporation or C corporation) adds complexity to your business.
In short, the larger and more “official” your business, the more requirements you’ll need to keep updated.
Filing your articles of incorporation is the first step, but there’s more to do if you want to keep your business in good standing.
For example, make sure you understand any requirements related to these areas:
If you plan to do business in a state other than where you reside, or your business is incorporated, you’ll need a registered agent in each state.
Registered agents act on your corporation’s behalf in another state and handle any documents related to taxes or other official or legal documents. They represent your company and serve as your official point of contact in their respective states.
Stable offers registered agent service in all 50 states as an optional add-on to our virtual mail and virtual address services: Learn more.
Virtual mail services can greatly simplify and streamline operations for organizations of all sizes. You can use a virtual address for a C corp or a sole proprietorship, and anything in between.
Opting for a virtual mail service improves mail management, giving you fast, digital access to your mail. Plus, it’s usually possible to use your virtual mailing address (which comes with your virtual mailbox) as a business address for articles of incorporation purposes — something you typically can’t do with a P.O. Box.
With virtual mail management, you’ll gain improved visibility into your mail. Your corporation can quickly respond to important documents, which are unlikely to get lost in the mail or left sitting on someone’s desk.
Managing a business still requires you to follow laws written in the 1800s. You need a physical street address with the ability to receive mail, and you have to navigate complex regulations in multiple jurisdictions based on outdated assumptions.
Stable’s virtual address and virtual mailbox services address these challenges head-on, starting with the most broken parts: business address and mail. We guide you through the incorporation process with top-notch virtual mail management, a virtual address service you can use as your business address, and an optional registered agent service in all 50 U.S. states.
Ready to simplify the incorporation process? Get started with Stable now.
