Articles Of Incorporation Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Articles Of Incorporation, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Articles Of Incorporation?

(n) Articles Of Incorporation is the written document filed with the statutory authority, containing the information required by law about the provisions and rules for conductance of a the body incorporated. Articles contain name, objectives, types of share and their rights, administration provisions etc. It is a public document based on which an outsider deals with the body corporate.

History and Meaning of Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that outlines the fundamental aspects of a corporation, including its purpose, ownership, and organizational structure. This document is required when forming a corporation and must be filed with the appropriate government agency in the state where the corporation is being formed. The articles must be written in a clear and precise language and must abide by specific state laws.

The concept of incorporating dates back to the 16th century when individuals would petition the English crown for a royal charter to form a corporation. At the time, the process was lengthy, expensive, and only accessible to the wealthy. Today, incorporating is much simpler and more accessible to small businesses and individuals looking to start a company.

Examples of Articles of Incorporation

  1. XYZ Inc. filed its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State on January 1, 2021, in compliance with the applicable state laws.
  2. The Articles of Incorporation for ABC Corp. includes a provision stating that the total number of shares that the corporation can issue is 1,000,000.
  3. The Articles of Incorporation for DEF LLC states that the company will be managed by a committee of its members.
  4. The Articles of Incorporation for HIJ Inc. includes a provision stating that the corporation will be dissolved upon the death of the founder and CEO.
  5. The Articles of Incorporation for MNO Corp. outlines the corporation's purpose, which is to develop and sell environmentally-friendly products.

Legal Terms Similar to Articles of Incorporation

  1. Bylaws: A set of rules and procedures that govern how a corporation operates.
  2. Certificate of Incorporation: A legal document filed with the state government to establish a corporation's existence.
  3. Operating Agreement: A document that outlines the ownership and management structure of a limited liability company (LLC).
  4. Partnership Agreement: A document that outlines the terms and conditions of a partnership.
  5. Shareholders Agreement: A document that outlines the rights and obligations of a corporation's shareholders.