INSTRUCTIONS: INITIAL ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 532

This form is required in starting a corporation in the state of Ohio.  Check the box at the top of the form to indicate if the Articles address a profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, or professional corporation.

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 1”

List the name of the corporation in Article I.  Make sure the name contains one of the following terms: Company, Co., Corporation, Corp., Incorporated, or Inc.  Make sure the name is original.  The following actions do not distinguish the name from a similar corporation name:

·  the use of a different designation

·  the use of any different punctuation, articles, conjunctions, or contractions

·  use of different tense

·  phonetic spellings

·  prepositions

·  use of same letter or initial

·  use of possessive

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 2”

List the city, township or village, and the county where the corporation will operate in Article II.  If you want the delay the effective date after the Secretary of State approves the Articles, provide a specific date no longer than 90 days after the date or receipt. 

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 3”

Provide specific reasons why the corporation is forming within Article III.

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 4”

State the number, type, and par value of the authorized shares under the corporation in Article IV. 

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 5”

List the names and addresses of the individuals acting as initial Directors in Article V.  Do not provide a PO Box address. 

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 6”

All of the incorporators need to sign the bottom of the Articles.  Provide the name and address for the statutory agent on the next page.  Incorporators need to sign this form as well.  Make sure the statutory agent signs the Acceptance of Appointment. 

“Initial Articles of Incorporation 532 Step 7”

 The minimum filing fee for this form is $125.00, and the fee increases depending on the amount of authorized shares.  If you want expedited services, add $100 to the filing fee and send the forms to the following address:

Ohio Secretary of State

PO Box 1390

Columbus, OH 43116

If you want regular service, use the following address

Ohio Secretary of State

PO Box 670

Columbus, OH 43216

INSTRUCTIONS: WASHINGTON NAME RESERVATION

To reserve a name for your business in the state of Washington, you must submit a reservation form to the secretary of state. This article discusses the form to complete by hand or typed in black ink only. The form can be found on the website of the Washington secretary of state. 

Washington Name Reservation Step 1: If you know the expiration date or registration number recorded by the office of the secretary of state, enter these in the top right hand section indicated for this purpose.

Washington Name Reservation Step 2: In section one, you may list up to three of names for your business in order of preference. An LLC must include either that abbreviation or "Limited Liability Corporation" in its name. A profit corporation must include the words "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," "Limited" or an abbreviation of any of these words. A Limited Partnership must include those words or "LP," while a Limited Liability Partnership must include those words or "LLP." A nonprofit corporation cannot include any corporate designation.

Washington Name Reservation Step 3: In section two, place a check mark next to the type of entity your business is. The options listed are limited liability company (LLC), profit corporation, non-profit corporation, limited partnership (LP), and limited liability partnership (LLP).

Washington Name Reservation Step 4: Section three asks for the name and address of the person completing the application. If you are filling this form out on behalf of a client, you should give your name and address under "applicant" and theirs under the space for "client."

Washington Name Reservation Step 5: The applicant should sign and date the form. Include their job title and phone number.

Washington Name Reservation Step 6: A filing fee must be submitted along with this document. For every entity except for nonprofit entities, the fee will be $30. The filing fee for a nonprofit entity is $20.

Washington Name Reservation Step 7: If you wish to have processing of your form expedited, include an additional $50 in your payment in order to pay for this. In addition, you should write "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope when filing your application.

Washington Name Reservation Step 8: The name reservation will be valid 180 days after filing has taken place. 

INSTRUCTIONS: ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION-PROFIT MI 500

Draft your Articles of Incorporation using this form in the state of Michigan.  Don’t forget to enter an address and name for correspondence at the top of the form along with any specified effective date. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 1”

Indicate the domestic corporation’s name in Article I.  Make sure the name uses one of the following designations: Corporation, Incorporated, Limited, Corp., Col., Inc., or Ltd. (or without the periods).

 “Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 2”

State the general purposes of the corporation in Article II.  Make sure the corporation’s activity falls under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan.  An educational corporation must provide specific information.

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 3”

In Article III, provide the total number of authorized shares under the corporation.  If there are numerous classes of shares, provide the rights, limitations and preferences in the second section of Article III. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 4”

Provide the address of the corporation’s registered office in Article IV.  If the address uses a suite number, place the corporation’s name beside the suite number. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 5”

List the names and addresses of the incorporators in Article V.  A minimum of three incorporators is required for an educational corporation.  Make sure to include street addresses. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 6”

Only delete Articles VI and VII if they don’t apply to the corporation.  Unless the corporation’s duration is perpetual, provide an estimated duration date in the form. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 7”

All of the incorporators need to sign the bottom of this form.  Make sure the signatures correspond with the names in Article V. 

“Articles of Incorporation-Profit MI 500 Step 8”

The minimum filing fee for this form is $60.00.  The fee is adjustable, and a corporation with more than 10,000 authorized shares will pay the highest fee: $500 for first 10,000,000 and $1,000 for every additional 10,000,000.  Expedited service will increase the filing costs as well.  If you’re mailing the form, provide a check or money order payable to State of Michigan and send the documents to the following address: 

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Bureau of Commercial Services

Corporation Division

P.O. Box 30054

Lansing, MI 48908

If you deliver the form in-person, use the following address:

2501 Woodlake Circle

Okemos, MI