Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

BCA 21 Articles of Incorporation

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Articles of Incorporation - Professional Service Corporation

FORM BCA 2.10 (PSCA) (rev. Dec. 2003)

Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
501 S. Second St., Rm. 350
Springfield, IL 62756
217-782-9522
www.cyberdriveillinois.com

Remit payment in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, money order or an Illinois attorney’s or CPA’s check payable to Secretary of State.

SEE NOTE 1 ON REVERSE TO DETERMINE FEES.

Filing Fee: $150   Franchise Tax   Total   File #   Approved:

—— Submit in duplicate —— Type or Print clearly in black ink —— Do not write above this line ——

1. Corporate Name:

Must end with one of the following words or abbreviations: “Chartered,” “Limited,” “Ltd.,” “Professional Corporation,” “Prof. Corp.” or “P.C.”

2. Initial Registered Agent:

Initial Registered Office:

3. Purpose(s) for which the Corporation is organized:

Professional Corporation: To practice the profession of , rendering that type of professional service and services ancillary thereto.

Professional service will be rendered from the following address(es):

4. Paragraph 1: Authorized Shares, Issued Shares and Consideration Received:

TOTAL = $

Paragraph 2: The preferences, qualification, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights in respect of the shares of each class are:

For more space, attach additional sheets of this size.

5. OPTIONAL:

a. Number of directors constituting the initial board of directors of the Corporation:

b. Names and addresses of persons who will serve as directors until the first annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualify.

Name | Address | City, State, ZIP

6. OPTIONAL:

a. Estimated value of all property to be owned by the Corporation for the following year wherever located:

b. Estimated value of the property to be located within the State of Illinois during the following year:

c. Estimated gross amount of business that will be transacted by the corporation during the following year:

d. Estimated gross amount of business that will be transacted from places of business in the State of Illinois during the following year:

7. OPTIONAL: OTHER PROVISIONS

Attach a separate sheet of this size for any other provision to be included in the Articles of Incorporation (e.g., authorizing preemptive rights, denying cumulative voting, regulating internal affairs, voting majority requirements, fixing a duration other than perpetual, etc.).

8. NAME(S) and ADDRESS(ES) OF INCORPORATOR(S)

The undersigned incorporator(s) hereby declare(s), under penalties of perjury, that the statements made in the foregoing Articles of Incorporation are true and correct.

Dated

Signature and Name

1.

2.

3.

Address

1.

2.

3.

Signatures must be in BLACK INK on original document. Carbon copy, photocopy or rubber stamp signatures may only be used on conformed copies. NOTE: The incorporator must be either one or more persons licensed pursuant to the relevant profession or an Illinois attorney.

Note 1: Fee Schedule

The initial franchise tax is assessed at the rate of 15/100 of 1 percent ($1.50 per $1,000) on the paid-in capital represented in this State. (Minimum initial franchise tax is $25.)

The filing fee is $150

The minimum total due (franchise tax + filing fee) is $175.

Note 2: Return to:

Enter text✕

What the BCA 21 Articles of Incorporation Are

The BCA 21 Articles of Incorporation is a statutory filing used to form a corporation under applicable Business Corporation Act provisions. It establishes the corporation's legal existence by recording the corporate name, registered agent, principal office, authorized shares, and incorporator information with the state filing office.

Why the BCA 21 Articles Matter for Your Business

Filing BCA 21 creates an independent legal entity, helps limit owner liability, enables stock issuance, and establishes governance defaults; it is the foundational corporate record reviewers and regulators rely upon.

Why the BCA 21 Articles Matter for Your Business

Who Commonly Prepares and Files a BCA 21

After filing, these same groups typically manage follow-up tasks: EIN, state tax registration, and initial corporate records.

  • Founders and incorporators responsible for initial formation and ownership allocation.
  • Corporate counsel ensuring statutory compliance and drafting any required bylaws or provisions.
  • Registered agents or third‑party formation services that receive official correspondence.

Core Components Included in the BCA 21 Articles

A professional BCA 21 should clearly state the corporate name, registered agent, principal office, stock details, incorporator information, and the effective date to avoid filing delays or rejections.

Corporate Name

Exact legal name as it will appear on the corporate charter; must comply with state naming rules and not conflict with existing filings.

Registered Agent

Name and physical address of the agent for service of process; using a commercial agent ensures reliable receipt of legal notices.

Principal Office

Street address for the principal place of business; some states permit a mailing address for secondary contact purposes.

Authorized Shares

Total number and classes of authorized stock, including par value or no‑par designation and any special rights or restrictions.

Incorporator Clause

Name(s) and signature(s) of the incorporator(s) who execute the Articles and adopt initial bylaws if required.

Effective Date

Date the corporation begins (immediate on filing or specified deferred date), which affects tax and reporting obligations.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Filing the BCA 21

Follow a clear sequence to prepare, sign, and submit the Articles to minimize rework and filing delays.

  • 01
    Gather Information: Collect corporate name, agent, addresses, incorporator details.
  • 02
    Complete the Form: Enter fields carefully and attach any required exhibits.
  • 03
    Execute Signatures: Have incorporator(s) sign; notarize if state requires.
  • 04
    File with State: Submit to Secretary of State with applicable fee.

Typical Filing Flow for the BCA 21 Articles

The generic process moves from form completion to signature, then electronic or paper submission, payment, and state acceptance.

  • Prepare Document: Populate all required sections and review for accuracy.
  • Obtain Signature: Collect incorporator signatures; notarize if needed.
  • Submit Filing: File online or by mail with required payment.
  • Receive Confirmation: State returns a stamped copy or confirmation number.

Digital Workflow Settings for eFiling and eSigning

When using an eSignature workflow, configure authentication, file format, and retention settings before sending.

Field Configuration
Signature Method ESIGN-compliant eSignature
Authentication Email link or SMS code
File Format Upload PDF/A for compatibility
Retention Policy Store signed PDF with audit trail

Technical Considerations for eSubmission

Ensure the chosen solution meets state filing rules and preserves an exportable signed record with timestamps and signer attribution for compliance.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX accepted
  • Integrations: Works with CRM and storage systems
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced methods

Key Security and Compliance Features to Look For

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES‑256 at rest
Audit Trail: Comprehensive timestamps and IP logging
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
Legal Compliance: ESIGN and UETA adherence
Healthcare: HIPAA-compliant with BAA
FDA/21CFR: 21 CFR Part 11 capability available

Consequences and Risks of Incorrect Articles

Filing Rejection: State may refuse to record the corporation
Delayed Formation: Operations and tax registrations postponed
Loss of Protections: Liability protection may be undermined
Incorrect Agent: Service of process could fail
Share Errors: Capital structure disputes or corrections required
Signature Issues: Unsigned or invalid signatures cause invalidation

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Using an unavailable or conflicting corporate name that causes immediate administrative rejection and re-filing requirements.
  • Providing a P.O. box for the registered office when the state requires a physical street address for service.
  • Failing to specify authorized shares clearly, leading to ambiguity about classes, par value, or total authorized stock.
  • Neglecting follow-up registrations such as EIN, state tax ID, or business licenses required after formation.

Timing and Typical Post‑Filing Steps to Track

Key timing items include state processing windows, effective date choices, and required follow-on registrations after incorporation.

State Processing:

Processing times vary by state and service level

Effective Date Option:

Immediate on filing or set a deferred date

Apply for EIN:

Obtain EIN from IRS after formation

State Registrations:

Register for state tax and employer accounts

Annual Filings:

File annual report and pay state fees as required

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Filing and Signing BCA 21

Compare core pricing and compliance features across vendors; signNow is listed first for clear benchmarking against common alternatives.

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 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About BCA 21 Articles

Answers to common questions on eSigning, filing errors, signatures, notarization, amendments, and state variations.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users