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Articles of Incorporation

Free articles of incorporation template — the founding document filed with the state to form a corporation.

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This free articles of incorporation covers Article 1: Name, Article 2: Registered Agent, Article 3: Purpose, Article 4: Authorized Shares, Article 5: Incorporator with 12 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.

Template — click to edit

Articles of Incorporation of [Company Name]

Article 1: Name

The name of the corporation is [Company Name, Inc.].

Article 2: Registered Agent

The corporation's registered agent is [Agent Name], located at [Registered Agent Address] in the State of [State].

Article 3: Purpose

The corporation is organized to engage in any lawful business activity for which corporations may be organized under [State] law.

Article 4: Authorized Shares

The corporation is authorized to issue [Number] shares of [Class, e.g. "common stock"], with a par value of [Amount] per share.

Article 5: Incorporator

The name and address of the incorporator is: [Name, Address].

Article 6: Directors (if required by your state)

The initial director(s): [Name(s) and address(es)].

Executed by the incorporator on [Date]. Signature: ______________________ [Incorporator Name]

*This is a template only, not a substitute for your state's official filing form. Requirements (registered agent rules, franchise tax, required articles) vary significantly by state — file using your Secretary of State's actual form, and consult a licensed attorney if your structure is anything but simple.*

Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.

What's included

Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
6 standard sections: Article 1: Name, Article 2: Registered Agent, Article 3: Purpose, Article 4: Authorized Shares, Article 5: Incorporator, Article 6: Directors (if required by your state)
12 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
Free to use — no account or signup required
Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)

Who this template is for

Freelancers & solo founders

Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.

Small businesses

Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.

Anyone reviewing before signing

Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.

Before involving a lawyer

A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.

FAQ

Is this articles of incorporation template really free?

Yes — this Articles of Incorporation template on docstoc is free to view, edit online, and download as a PDF with no account or signup required.

What does this articles of incorporation cover?

This legal template includes Article 1: Name, Article 2: Registered Agent, Article 3: Purpose, Article 4: Authorized Shares. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.

Is this legal advice?

No. Legal documents are exactly where a generic template is most likely to miss something that matters — the right structure, required disclosures, and even which clauses are enforceable all vary by state and situation. Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed attorney, not a substitute for one.

Can I edit the wording?

Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 12 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.

Where can I find more free templates like this?

Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.

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Why use this instead of a generic template

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Legality

Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.

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Speed

Copy the subject and body directly — no form to fill in, no export step, no waiting on a download link.

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