What are Articles of Incorporation?

Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that is filed with the State Secretary Office to create a corporation. The incorporators create, sign, and file this document. The State Secretary will approval and finalizes the corporation’s name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. The articles of incorporation creates the “legal entity” of the corporation.

​What is in the Articles of Incorporation?

​The articles of incorporation document consists of a series of “articles” or “provisions” which typically state:

• The name of the corporation
• The type of corporation (e.g. profit, nonprofit, professional services)
• The purpose for which the corporation is formed. Some states allow simply “any lawful purpose”.
• The name and address of the registered agent who receives any service served upon the corporation
• Information about the initial directors and officers (only required in some states)
• As applicable:
  • Whether the corporation is stock or non-stock
  • Whether the corporation has members or not
  • The initial classes, authorized number, and par values of shares.
• An effective date of the corporation. Sometimes this is not specified in which case the secretary of state makes the corporation effective as of the date they process the articles of incorporation.
• The duration of the corporation. Usually this is “perpetual” but some states permit a future dissolution date.
• Execution of the document by the incorporator(s) who are creating the organization
• Nonprofits often provide additional provisions for 501(c)(3) eligibility

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​There is a 24-hour turn-around in the State of Illinois for your Articles of Incorporation.