Corporate Name
The exact legal name, including required corporate suffix (e.g., Corporation, Incorporated, Inc., or Corp.) and any fictitious name restrictions per state statute.
Filing Articles of Incorporation creates a separate legal entity, enables limited liability protection for shareholders, and provides a record of corporate governance basics required by state law. Properly drafted Articles set initial capital structure and corporate purpose, and they form the basis for bylaws, stock issuance, and tax registrations.
Founders, corporate counsels, and registered agents commonly prepare and submit Articles of Incorporation on behalf of a business.
The exact preparer depends on company size, complexity, and whether outside counsel or a formation service is engaged.
An individual or entity that signs and files the Articles; responsible for initiating formation and providing required information. The incorporator may be a founder, attorney, or third-party filing agent and often executes the document before filing with the state.
A person or business designated to accept official service of process and state notices; the agent’s name and address are usually required in the Articles and must remain current with the state to preserve good standing.
The exact legal name, including required corporate suffix (e.g., Corporation, Incorporated, Inc., or Corp.) and any fictitious name restrictions per state statute.
A concise statement of the business purpose; many states accept a general purpose clause such as 'any lawful purpose' to preserve flexibility.
Number and classes of shares authorized, par value (if any), and any special rights attached to specific classes of stock.
Agent’s name and physical address in the state of formation; P.O. boxes are generally insufficient for registered agent address.
Name and address of the incorporator(s) and the signature block for the incorporator who executes and files the document.
The date when the corporation comes into existence (filed date or a specified later effective date permitted by statute).
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document Template | Pre-fill common fields to reduce manual entry errors |
| Signer Order | Incorporator signs first, then registered agent acknowledgement if required |
| Authentication | Use email plus SMS or KBA for higher-assurance identity |
| Filing Method | Select State portal upload, mail, or third-party filing service |
Use eSignature solutions that support state filing formats and provide robust audit trails and secure storage.
Confirm the state accepts electronically signed and uploaded Articles; retain copies with the signing certificate for recordkeeping.
Upon filing acceptance or the stated effective date
Apply to IRS immediately after formation for banking and tax purposes
File per state schedule to maintain good standing
State franchise tax returns and fees vary by jurisdiction
File amended Articles for changes to name, shares, or agent
Official state-issued certificate confirming formation. Keep a certified copy in PDF/A format for permanence and legal record.
Internal governance document adopted by the board. Store signed PDF and editable DOCX for future amendments.
IRS-issued EIN notice for tax and banking. Save the IRS confirmation letter as PDF for financial account setup.
Share ledger and certificates documenting ownership. Preserve in secure PDF and maintain a controlled master copy.
| 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 trial | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |