A legal document filed with the government to formally create a corporation and define its basic structure and purpose.
What is Articles of Incorporation?
Articles of Incorporation are formal legal documents filed with a state to create a corporation. They outline the company’s name, purpose, structure, and governance, establishing it as a separate legal entity from its owners.
Why It Matters?
They legally authorize a corporation to operate, protect owners’ personal liability, and define corporate powers and responsibilities.
Example
A startup files Articles of Incorporation with the state to officially form a corporation, issue shares, and define its board structure.