¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ

A Corporate Charter is the foundational legal document that brings a company to life. It establishes your business as a legal corporation in your state and spells out basic but crucial details like your company name, business purpose, and structure. Think of it as your corporation's birth certificate and basic rulebook combined.

You'll file this charter (also called Articles of Incorporation) with your state's Secretary of State office to make your business official. It sets up essential elements like how many shares you can issue, who your registered agent is, and what rights shareholders have. Most states require you to maintain this document and update it if key details change.

You need a Corporate Charter the moment you decide to form a corporation. This isn't optional - it's a legal requirement to start doing business as a corporation in any U.S. state. Companies typically create their charter during initial formation, but also when converting from another business structure (like an LLC) to a corporation.

Many situations trigger the need to update your charter: expanding into new states, changing your company name, adjusting the number of authorized shares, or modifying your core business purpose. Banks and investors often request to see your charter before major transactions, so keeping it current helps avoid delays in financing or business deals.

• Standard Corporate Charter: The most common type, establishing basic corporation details like name, purpose, and share structure
• Close Corporation Charter: Designed for small, private companies with few shareholders and simplified governance rules
• Professional Corporation Charter: Specifically for licensed professionals like doctors or lawyers, with special liability provisions
• Non-Profit Corporate Charter: Contains specific language about charitable purpose and includes required IRS provisions
• Public Benefit Corporation Charter: Includes both profit-making goals and specific social or environmental missions

• Corporate Founders: Initiate and sign the Corporate Charter when establishing the company, making key decisions about structure and purpose
• Board of Directors: Oversee compliance with charter provisions and approve any amendments
• Corporate Officers: Execute daily operations within the framework established by the charter
• Shareholders: Receive rights and protections outlined in the charter, vote on major changes
• Corporate Attorneys: Draft and review the charter to ensure legal compliance and protect company interests
• State Officials: Review and approve the charter filing, maintain official records

• Company Details: Choose your corporation name, verify its availability with state records, and decide on your business purpose
• Stock Structure: Determine number and classes of authorized shares, par value, and shareholder rights
• Registered Agent: Select and confirm a registered agent with a physical address in your state
• Directors & Officers: List initial board members and key officers who will manage the corporation
• State Requirements: Check specific filing requirements and fees for your state's Secretary of State office
• Filing Process: Submit completed charter with required fees, using our platform to ensure all mandatory elements are included

• Corporate Name: Legal business name with required corporate suffix (Inc., Corp., etc.)
• Business Purpose: Clear statement of primary business activities and objectives
• Principal Office: Physical address where corporate records are maintained
• Stock Structure: Number and types of authorized shares, par value, and share classes
• Registered Agent: Name and address for accepting legal documents
• Director Information: Names and addresses of initial board members
• Incorporator Details: Name and signature of person filing the charter
• Duration: Statement of perpetual existence or specific end date

A Corporate Charter differs significantly from a Corporate Governance Document. While both play crucial roles in company management, they serve distinct purposes and operate at different levels of corporate structure.

• Legal Status: A Corporate Charter is a state-filed document that legally creates your corporation, while a Corporate Governance Document provides internal operational guidelines
• Timing and Updates: The Charter is filed once at incorporation with occasional amendments, whereas Governance Documents evolve regularly with changing business needs
• Content Scope: Charters contain basic formation details like name and stock structure; Governance Documents detail day-to-day management policies and procedures
• Legal Requirements: Charters are legally mandatory for incorporation; Governance Documents are recommended but typically not required by law
• Audience: Charters primarily address state authorities and shareholders, while Governance Documents guide directors, officers, and employees