Incorporating your company takes preparation and planning, but with our helpful step-by-step guidelines, you may be well on your way to incorporating your business while saving a lot of money.
1. Request for Corporate Name Reservation. This form confirms and holds the proposed company name. It’s a good idea to check with the state filing office to see whether the name is available, otherwise your Articles of Incorporation may be denied.
2. Incorporation Articles. This may also be called as a Certificate of Formation, Certificate of Organization, or Charter, depending on your state. Whatever name it has, this is the legal document that gives the company life. When the company is approved, it becomes its own legal entity.
3. Bylaws of the corporation. The Bylaws define the rights and obligations of shareholders, executives, and directors, as well as many other aspects of how the organization will operate. For example, the corporation’s fiscal year, how contracts will be authorized, and other connected concerns.
4. First Meeting Minutes. This is the first significant transaction that the newly constituted organization will make. It normally comprises of choosing executives, establishing bylaws, sanctioning the issuing of initial stock shares, and doing other mundane but critical tasks.
5. Certificate of Stock (s). Stock issuing, recordkeeping, and real stock certificates.
