Certificate/Articles
The public filing that creates the corporation or records an amendment; includes the corporate name, purpose, stock structure, and principal office address as required by state law.
A correctly prepared Business Corp Document establishes legal existence, clarifies authority, and preserves liability protections for officers and shareholders. It supports compliance with state filing rules and federal obligations such as tax reporting.
The specific signer and preparer mix varies by document type and state rules, but authority typically rests with corporate officers, the board, or an authorized agent.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document Format | PDF or DOCX accepted; preserve original formatting. |
| Signer Authentication | Use email plus SMS code or advanced authentication for high-risk filings. |
| Audit Trail | Enable full logs of IP, timestamp, and action history. |
| Bulk Filing | Enable bulk send for multiple related filings when needed. |
Validate platform security, retention, and export capabilities against your corporate records policy prior to committing documents to an eSign workflow.
The public filing that creates the corporation or records an amendment; includes the corporate name, purpose, stock structure, and principal office address as required by state law.
Internal governance rules covering director and officer roles, meeting procedures, quorum, voting thresholds, and other governance mechanics used by the board and officers.
Formal actions authorizing corporate events such as bank accounts, officer appointments, equity issuances, and major contracts; include adoption date and signatory evidence.
A record of share issuances, transfers, and ownership; necessary for shareholder inquiries and compliance with securities rules.
Document confirming the registered agent and service address, often required for filing and ongoing service of process.
Minutes of the initial organizational meeting that document incorporator actions, officer appointments, bylaw adoption, and initial corporate authorizations.
A dated, signed copy in PDF/A preserves the executed document for legal and archival purposes; include notarization pages if required by state law.
Keep an editable DOCX or source file for future amendments, ensuring field consistency and ease of revision by authorized staff or counsel.
Retain the Secretary of State acceptance or filing receipt as proof of good standing and filing date for banks, investors, and regulators.
Attach schedules such as equity capitalization tables, registered agent consents, or director consents that are referenced by the primary document.
File articles promptly upon formation; delays can affect priority and state compliance.
C-corporation Form 1120 due April 15; extensions available with Form 7004.
W-2 and 1099-NEC deadlines to recipients: Jan 31 annually.
State annual report or franchise tax deadlines vary by state and entity type.
Retain corporate records for statutory periods and longer for tax or litigation risk.
Draft and attach required exhibits, ensure corporate names and addresses are accurate.
Obtain directors' or incorporators' approvals and record in minutes.
Collect authorized officer signatures and notarizations if required by state.
Submit to the Secretary of State and retain filing confirmation for records.
The corporate president or chief executive often has express authority to sign formation and operational documents; verify delegation in bylaws or board resolutions and document the date and scope of authority.
The corporate secretary certifies corporate records and may attest to resolutions and filings; the secretary’s signature often confirms minutes and corporate books are accurate and up to date.
A small investment firm standardized formation packets to reduce signer confusion
A real estate operator moved lease and corporate filings online
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Business Premium) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes (BAA required) | Yes | Yes | No | No |