Articles / Certificate
Statutory filing submitted to the state (articles of organization or incorporation) that formally creates the entity and lists basic information such as name and registered agent.
Clear, complete formation documents create legal separation between the owners and the business, define management and financial obligations, and reduce future disputes. Proper filing ensures compliance with state rules and prevents avoidable penalties or administrative dissolution.
Formation documents are completed by founders, corporate officers, attorneys, and company administrators who register or organize a business entity.
Investors, banks, and government agencies also use these records to verify authority, ownership, and compliance when approving accounts, licenses, or financing.
Statutory filing submitted to the state (articles of organization or incorporation) that formally creates the entity and lists basic information such as name and registered agent.
Internal governance document describing management structure, voting rights, capital contributions, profit allocation, and transfer restrictions among members or shareholders.
Record of members or shareholders and their ownership percentages, issuance dates, and any vesting schedules or convertible instruments.
Designated agent name and address for service of process; must meet state residency requirements and accept legal notices.
Board or member resolutions authorizing bank accounts, officer appointments, and adoption of bylaws or operating agreement.
Copies of identification, signed signature pages, subscription agreements, or state-required publication affidavits attached as needed.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Required Fields | Make entity name, registered agent, and signature mandatory to prevent incomplete submissions. |
| Authentication | Enable email or SMS codes; choose stronger authentication for investor or banking signatures. |
| Conditional Fields | Show additional questions when selecting certain options, e.g., foreign organizer or fiscal year change. |
| Retention | Enable automatic PDF archiving and an audit trail export for compliance and recordkeeping. |
Choose a platform that supports common legal file formats and integrates with your document systems.
| 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 | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Premium) | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Varies from same-day to several weeks depending on state and filing method
Apply to IRS after formation; processing is typically immediate online
Where required, publication usually starts within 120 days of formation
Many states require annual or biennial reports with specific due dates
Banks often require certified formation documents and resolutions before opening accounts
Gather required information and draft statutory filings before submission.
Submit articles and pay filing fee to create the entity.
Apply to IRS for employer identification number to enable banking and payroll.
Adopt bylaws or operating agreement and authorize bank accounts and officers.
A small investment firm needed consistent ownership ledgers to onboard new investors
A property management startup required robust officer authority for leasing decisions