Articles of Incorporation
The foundational legal documents filed with a state to formally create a corporation.
What is Articles of Incorporation?
Articles of Incorporation (also called a certificate of incorporation or corporate charter) are the primary legal documents required to form a corporation in the United States. Filed with the secretary of state in the chosen jurisdiction, they establish the company's legal existence and typically specify the company's name, registered address, purpose, authorized share capital, and the names of initial directors. Delaware is the most popular state for incorporation due to its corporate-friendly legal framework, developed case law, and Court of Chancery. Once filed and approved, a corporation gains legal personhood distinct from its shareholders.
Example
Apple Inc. was incorporated in California in 1977 and later reincorporated in Delaware in 1987. Its articles of incorporation authorized multiple classes of stock and established the corporate framework that governs the company to this day.