Incorporate your business in California: Articles of Incorporation for California
What we’ll cover
What are Articles of Incorporation for California?
If you are ready to incorporate your business in California, you can begin the official process by creating and filing the Articles of Incorporation. Rocket Lawyer Articles makes this easy with our customizable Articles of Incorporation for California document - giving your business the right foundation for long-term success in the Golden State.
A corporation is officially formed in California by filing Articles of Incorporation (informally called a "Corporate Charter") with the California Secretary of State. Along with this filing, you will also need to prepare Corporate Bylaws and either Corporate Minutes or an Organizational Consent. However, these additional documents do not need to be submitted to the Secretary of State.
Get your Articles of Incorporation for California started now – just answer a few questions, and we will build the document for you!
When to use Articles of Incorporation for California:
- You want to incorporate a small business without outside investors that will operate in California.
- You want to organize the necessary information to incorporate a small business operating in another state.
Have questions about your Articles of Incorporation for California?
Whether you're preparing your Articles of Incorporation for California, reviewing one someone sent you, or just want to understand it better, here's how to get help.
- Understand what it says or review it. Use our AI legal assistant to ask questions about your Articles of Incorporation for California, understand what it says, and spot anything that may need a closer look.
- Ask an attorney a question. Connect with an attorney for legal information, with a written answer within one business day or a live consultation.
- Get advice on what to do. For privileged, confidential advice about your specific circumstances and next steps, book a Legal Advice Session with an attorney.
Sample Articles of Incorporation for California
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ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
ARTICLE
The name of this corporation is .
ARTICLE
The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code.
ARTICLE
The name in the State of California of this corporation's initial agent for service of process is:
ARTICLE
The corporate street and mailing address of this :
, ,
The directors shall be divided into classes, the number of directors to be allocated to each class to be as nearly equal as possible and with the term of office in one class expiring each year after the initial annual meeting of shareholders.
ARTICLE
The corporation is authorized to issue only one class of shares of stock; and the total number of such shares which the corporation is authorized to issue is shares.
(b)The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, to the fullest extent permissible under California law, with respect to actions for breach of duty to this corporation and its shareholders.
Incorporators initial Directors. The initial Directors must acknowledge the articles in front of a notary publicAbout Articles of Incorporation for Californias
Learn about how to incorporate your business in california
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Starting a business in California: the first steps
There are several types of business entities you can form. If you determine that a corporation best fits your needs and you plan to operate in California, the Articles of Incorporation for California ("Articles") is one of the key documents you will need to form a regular, for-profit corporation ("business corporation").
If your business operations will be based in California, then forming the corporation under California law is generally the best option. If your business will operate in another state, it rarely makes sense to incorporate in California because:
- The corporation would have to qualify as a "foreign corporation" in the state where it will operate.
- Annual fees and license taxes would have to be paid in both states.
- If a legal problem arises related to the corporation's business, a lawyer licensed to practice in California would have to be consulted.
Not located in California? The issues addressed in the preparation of this document will be similar for states other than California, and you will need the information this interview requests if you plan to consult a Legal Pro regarding incorporation in a different state. However, the Articles of Incorporation Worksheet is designed specifically for other states so you may want to use that document instead.
This set of Articles is intended for use by a corporation that will be formed and initially owned by a small number of shareholders. Before issuing or selling stock, your corporation must comply with the Corporate Securities Act administered by the California Department of Justice. Both state and federal securities laws will apply to the sale or issuance of stock by the corporation.
It’s also important to note that our set of Articles of Incorporation for California is intended for forming a "general purpose" corporation. If you are forming a professional bank or trust company, insurance company, close corporation, or professional corporation, then special laws apply.
You can always ask a Legal Pro to better understand what your situation is and get guidance forming your California Corporation.
Articles of Incorporation for California FAQs
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How do I get a copy of Articles of Incorporation for California?
Most information and filings submitted to the California Secretary of State are public records. This includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing/street addresses, with few statutory exceptions. You can request this information directly through the Secretary of State's office or website.
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When can I use the Articles of Incorporation for California document?
You can use the document on this page to create your California corporation's Articles of Incorporation. It includes key components like your corporate name, business purpose, agent for service of process, and whether the corporation will issue stock. Note: This document does not include how your corporation will be run, so you'll need to create Corporate Bylaws separately after forming your corporation.
You can use Rocket Lawyer's free Articles of Incorporation for California document if:
- You are incorporating a small business in California without outside investors.
- You want to organize the incorporation information needed for a business that will operate in another state.
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How much does it cost to file Articles of Incorporation for California?
The cost of filing Articles of Incorporation for California depends on the kind of corporation you are establishing. The fee ranges from $30 to $100.
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How long does it take to get Articles of Incorporation for California?
The average processing time for Articles of Incorporation for California is around 15–20 days.
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Are Articles of Organization the same as Articles of Incorporation?
While they are similar, Articles of Organization are typically used for forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), whereas Articles of Incorporation are used for forming corporations.
