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Bylaws of Corporation

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BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING

Example: _____________________________[1] will become JOHN DOE.

ARTICLE ONE

The full name of the corporation must be provided at the top of the page and in Article I, Section 1 of the bylaws.

Field [1] - Name of Corporation

The address of the principal office and registered office must be provided in Article I, Section 2 of the bylaws. This can be the same address.

Field [2] - Provide address of principal office and registered office. These can be the same address.

Field [3] - City that the Principal Office is located

Field [4] - City that the Registered Office is located

ARTICLE TWO

An annual meeting date must be scheduled and set out under Article II, Section 1 with a year for the first meeting after the organization meeting.

Field [5] - Year of first meeting after organization meeting.

ARTICLE THREE

At least one director should be provided for in Article III, Section 2.

Field [6] - Spelled out number of directors. Ex. Three

Field [7] - Number form of the number of directors. Ex. 3

ARTICLE FOUR

In Article IV, Section 1, you must name the officers, such as President, Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer. The same individual may hold two or more offices, except that the same person cannot be both the President and the Secretary unless there is only one stockholder.

Field [8] - Name officers of the corporation. You should have a President and a Secretary. The same individual may hold two or more offices.

Once you have completed the Bylaws, double check all entries and then print. You should keep these Bylaws in a safe place.

BY-LAWS

OF

ARTICLE I. NAME AND LOCATION

SECTION 1. The name of this corporation shall be .

SECTION 2. The Principal office of the corporation in the State of New York shall be , , New York and its initial registered office in the State of New York shall be , NY.

ARTICLE II. SHAREHOLDERS

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the second Tuesday of the month of December in each year, beginning with the year at the time designated by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.

SECTION 2. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the President at the request of the holders of not less than a majority of all the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote on any issue proposed to be considered at the meeting, provided said shareholders sign, date and deliver to the corporate Secretary one or more written demands for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

SECTION 3. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of New York unless otherwise prescribed by statute as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 4. Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.

SECTION 5. Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors of the corporation may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, seventy (70) days.

SECTION 6. Shareholders' List. After fixing a record date, the officer or agent having charge of the share ledger of the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of all persons entitled to notice and to represent shares at such meeting, or any adjournment thereof.

SECTION 7. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 8. Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact.

SECTION 9. Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share entitled to vote shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 10. Voting of Share by Certain Holders. Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the By-Laws of such corporation may preserve.

SECTION 11. Informal Action by Shareholders. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing is signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

SECTION 12. Cumulative Voting. At each election for Directors every shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to vote the number of shares owned by him for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected.

ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors except as otherwise herein provided.

SECTION 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The number of Directors of the corporation shall be ( ). Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

SECTION 3. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this By-Law immediately after, and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders.

SECTION 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any Director.

SECTION 5. Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least five (5) days previously thereto by notice personally given or mailed to each Director at his business address, or by telegram.

SECTION 6. Quorum. A majority of the number of Directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of Directors.

SECTION 7. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act or the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors, the Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as Director.

SECTION 9. Presumption of Assent. A Director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting.

SECTION 10. Informal Action by Board of Directors. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the Directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing is signed by each director, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be a [President, one or more Vice-Presidents and a Secretary], each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation to be elected by the Board of Directors shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders.

SECTION 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment, the best interest of the corporation would be served thereby.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

SECTION 5. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the corporation.

SECTION 6. Vice-President. The Board of Directors may determine when there is a need for a Vice-President or Vice-Presidents.

SECTION 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors meetings and perform the duties incident to the Office of Secretary.

SECTION 8. Salaries. The salaries, compensation and other benefits, if any, of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V. CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

SECTION 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation.

SECTION 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

ARTICLE VI. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

SECTION 1. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation.

ARTICLE VII. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December in each year.

ARTICLE VIII. DIVIDENDS

The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE IX. SEAL

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the state of incorporation and the words "Corporate Seal."

ARTICLE X. WAIVER OF NOTICE

Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or Director of the corporation under the provisions of these By-Laws or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or by a majority vote of the shareholders.

Signature of President

Date

Signature of Secretary

Date

Enter text✕

What the Bylaws of Corporation Are and why they matter

Bylaws of Corporation are the internal rules adopted by a corporation's board that govern corporate operations, decision-making, and member roles. They typically cover director and officer powers, meeting schedules, voting procedures, quorum requirements, committee structures, officer duties, and amendment processes. Although bylaws are not usually filed with a state, they form the primary evidence of corporate governance, support compliance with fiduciary duties, and help preserve limited liability by documenting formal corporate processes and records.

Why having clear corporate bylaws protects your entity

Well-drafted bylaws reduce disputes, clarify authority, and create predictable procedures for governance. They help ensure directors and officers act within approved powers, support enforceability of corporate acts, and provide proof of proper corporate processes if challenged by regulators, investors, or courts.

Why having clear corporate bylaws protects your entity

Who typically prepares and relies on corporate bylaws

Bylaws remain a living document; update them as ownership, structure, or regulatory requirements change to reflect actual corporate practice.

  • Founders and directors who establish governance rules and approve corporate actions during early formation and capital events.
  • Corporate secretaries and general counsel who maintain records, certify corporate actions, and manage amendment workflows.
  • Investors, lenders, and auditors who review bylaws to confirm governance, voting rights, and approval thresholds.

Core sections to include in professional corporate bylaws

A complete bylaws document organizes governance topics so officers, directors, and shareholders can follow consistent procedures without ambiguity.

Corporate Purpose

A concise statement of corporate purpose and authority, including powers reserved to the board and any limits on business activities, to avoid later disputes about scope of operations.

Board of Directors

Rules for board size, election and removal of directors, term lengths, vacancy filling, and quorum and voting thresholds for board action to ensure valid corporate governance decisions.

Officers and Duties

Titles, appointment procedures, and explicit officer responsibilities—president, secretary, treasurer—to avoid role overlap and establish accountability for corporate acts.

Meetings and Notices

Procedures for calling regular and special meetings, notice periods, remote attendance rules, proxy use if permitted, and minutes documentation to satisfy fiduciary and statutory obligations.

Committees

Authority to create board committees, committee member selection, delegated powers and reporting requirements so boards can operate efficiently while retaining oversight.

Amendments and Adoption

Process for adopting and amending bylaws including voting thresholds, notice requirements, and effective dates to ensure changes are legally binding and properly recorded.

Step-by-step: adopting and recording corporate bylaws

Follow a simple sequence to adopt bylaws formally so that board actions and corporate records remain defensible and organized.

  • 01
    Draft bylaws: Prepare a clear draft reflecting structure and shareholder rights.
  • 02
    Board review: Circulate to directors and counsel for legal review.
  • 03
    Board approval: Hold a meeting or unanimous written consent to adopt.
  • 04
    Record and distribute: File in corporate minute book and provide copies to officers.

How to set up an online bylaws workflow

Configure a repeatable digital process so signature collection, version control, and recordkeeping are consistent and auditable.

Field Configuration
Document Template Upload final approved bylaws as a template
Signer Order Specify board chair then corporate secretary
Authentication Use email + optional SMS code for identity
Audit Trail Enable full action logging and timestamps

Where bylaws are stored, sent, and who receives them

Understand common destinations for adopted bylaws so copies reach stakeholders and records are preserved in trusted systems.

  • Corporate Minute Book: Primary storage location for original signed bylaws
  • Board Members: Provide certified copies to all directors
  • Registered Agent: Keep current contact info on record
  • Corporate Counsel: Retain a copy for legal and compliance review

Digital signing and eSubmission requirements

Platforms that meet ESIGN and UETA standards and provide tamper-evident signed PDFs and exportable audit reports best support corporate recordkeeping obligations.

  • Identity: Email plus optional SMS or KBA
  • Audit Trail: Timestamped event log
  • Storage: Encrypted at rest

Essential data elements to include for legal clarity

Corporate Name: Full legal entity name
Incorporation State: State of formation
Registered Agent: Name and street address
Director List: Initial board composition
Officer Details: Names and titles of officers
Adoption Record: Date and approving resolution

Common legal risks from incomplete or incorrect bylaws

Invalid Corporate Acts: Actions may be voidable without proper approvals
Piercing Risk: Poor governance can increase veil piercing exposure
Contract Challenges: Third parties may dispute authority to bind the corporation
Fiduciary Breach: Directors may face liability for noncompliance
Regulatory Noncompliance: Failing to meet state rules can lead to fines
Tax Consequences: Errors may trigger IRS scrutiny or penalties

Timelines to observe when adopting or amending bylaws

Certain steps and notice periods should be scheduled and observed to ensure valid adoption and effective governance.

Adoption Date:

Record the board resolution date when bylaws are approved

Notice Period:

Observe the notice days specified for special meetings in the bylaws

Annual Meeting:

Schedule regular shareholder or board meetings per bylaws

Amendment Effective Date:

State when an amendment becomes effective in the record

Record Filing:

Update corporate minute book immediately after adoption

Practical tips for accurate and efficient bylaws completion

Follow these best practices to reduce disputes, maintain continuity, and preserve corporate protections.

Use consistent legal names and dates
Ensure the corporate name, officer names, and dates match the articles of incorporation and other official records. Consistency prevents confusion during banking, contracts, and filings and reduces the risk of clerical errors undermining document enforceability.
Define quorum and voting clearly
Specify numerical quorum thresholds and vote requirements for routine and special actions. Clear thresholds avoid uncertainty in board decisions and limit challenges to corporate acts, especially during contested or closely divided votes.
Retain signed originals securely
Keep signed bylaws in the corporate minute book and maintain encrypted digital copies with exportable audit trails. This practice supports audits, investor due diligence, and legal defenses in the event of litigation or regulatory review.
Review bylaws periodically
Schedule regular reviews—at least annually or after significant transactions—to confirm bylaws reflect current practice and legal requirements. Updating proactively reduces the need for emergency amendments that may lack proper approvals.

How different organizations use and adapt bylaws in practice

Real-world examples illustrate why clear adoption procedures and recordkeeping are important across contexts.

Early-Stage Corporation

Founders adopted bylaws immediately after incorporation to set director terms and voting rules.

  • They used a unanimous written consent to avoid a convened meeting.
  • By documenting adoption and distributing certified copies, the company preserved investor confidence and avoided later disputes during seed financing.

Family-Owned Business

A closely held corporation amended bylaws to add buy-sell procedures and transfer restrictions.

  • The board required a supermajority for equity transfers.
  • The amendment reduced succession disputes, provided a clear valuation framework, and demonstrated proper corporate procedure for lenders and family stakeholders.

Who typically signs and certifies bylaws

Chair / President

The board chair or president signs to attest to board approval and to certify that the adoption followed voting and notice procedures, providing primary executive attestation for corporate records.

Corporate Secretary

The corporate secretary signs and dates certified copies, maintains the minute book, and prepares resolutions and certificates that document adoption and amendments for internal and external use.

eSignature vendor comparison for executing bylaws and corporate records

Platform selection should consider legally compliant audit trails, authentication options, and cost model. The table compares common criteria across providers; signNow is listed first for reference.

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 Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Common questions about adopting, signing, and storing bylaws

Answers to frequently asked questions on legal validity, signatures, notarization, electronic copies, and amendment procedures for bylaws.


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