Last Updated on November 24, 2025 by Joy Kyalo
When researching or registering a UK company, you may have come across articles of incorporation that must be filed with the government in your jurisdiction. The articles of incorporation are a legal document that verifies your company’s legal incorporation.
Although the information in these legal documents may differ from one jurisdiction to another, it serves the same purpose. This article will further explain what articles of incorporation are, the information they contain in different jurisdictions, and the importance they hold beyond the legal existence of a company.
Key Takeaways
- Articles of incorporation legally confirm that a company is officially registered in its jurisdiction.
- They contain key details such as company name, address, directors, and share structure.
- The document is often required for bank accounts, licenses, loans, or investor verification.
- It provides limited liability protection and boosts business credibility and trust.
What are articles of incorporation?
Articles of incorporation are legal documents that verify a company exists legally in the jurisdiction of registration. The legal document is filed with the appropriate government authority; in the United States (US) it is filled with the secretary of state of where the company is registered, in Canada it is filed with either provincial, territorial, or federal government depending on the type of company incorporated while in the UK, the legal document is filed with Companies House.
In some jurisdictions, the article of incorporation may be known as a certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, or corporate charter.
This legal document is vital and should be kept safe once the company is incorporated. The articles also become a public record that should be made available to people, organisations, and government agencies when needed.
Pro Tip: For Business Owners
Keep a digital and printed copy of your articles of incorporation easily accessible. Banks, government authorities, and investors may request it at any time, and having it ready can speed up approvals, applications, and business processes.
For instance, when applying for business permits or licenses with government agencies you may be required to present your certificate of incorporation to show evidence that you have a business. Financial institutions may also ask for the document when opening a business bank account or want to be financed.
The document contains pertinent information such as the legal business name, registered address, the purpose of the business, directors’ information, authorized shares, and many more which we will discuss in detail in the next section while we also understand how they differ from one jurisdiction to another.
What information is contained in articles of incorporation?
USA
Company name: it contains the full legal company name which is unique, distinct, and descriptive.
Registered address: this is the principal address used to register the business and also used for receiving official correspondence and legal notices. The address should be for the registered agent.
Registered agent: the name and the address of the company’s designated registered agents. Every company must have a registered agent to receive service of process official correspondence and legal notices on behalf of the company.
The purpose of the business: this is the objective of your business. It explains the business activities and how it is managed.
Structure/ type of company: the structure of the company you have incorporated. Whether it is an LLC, S corporation, C corporation, or a non-profit.
Board of directors: it entails the name and service address of all the directors in our home. Many jurisdictions allow directors to use their residential address as their service address.
Stock details: it includes the number of shares, type of stock, and their pricing issued to shareholders.
The duration of the corporation: this is the duration of your company in existence. If you expect your company to exist for a certain period, you can mention it.
Name, address, and signature of the incorporator: this is the person responsible for incorporating a business.
Canada
Name or number of your business which should include a NUANS Name Search report.
Address of the corporation’s registered office
Names and addresses of directors
Directors Citizenship Status
Share Structure and Provisions
Business activity restriction or on share structure transfer
Name and address of the incorporator
UK
The legal company name
The company registration number (CRN)
The company structure; Ltd, Plc, or an LLP
UK Registered office location
Legislation under which the company was registered (Companies Act 2006)
Issuing registrar (Cardiff, Edinburgh, or Belfast)
Official Seal of the Registrar
UK Royal Coat of Arms
What is the importance of articles of incorporation?
Deems is an organization legal and official
An article of incorporation is a legal document that verifies the company is officially and legally incorporated. So, when organisations or government agencies want to verify that your company is legal and official, they will ask for an article of incorporation or certificate of incorporation.
Gives liability protection
Once the company is incorporated and has an article of incorporation it means the company is separate from the business owner and the directors offering limited liability protection. Liability protection means that the personal assets of the business owners, directors, and members of the company are not at risk of debt creditors, legal implications, and liabilities of the company.
Pro Tip: Building Trust and Raising Capital
When pitching to banks, investors, or applying for grants, include your articles of incorporation upfront. It shows legal credibility immediately and can speed up approval, due diligence, and funding decisions.
Raise capital
When raising capital for your business you may be asked for the articles of incorporation as proof that your business is legally registered with the government. In many jurisdictions, among bank requirements for a business loan is an article of incorporation.
Additionally, even when you are seeking funds from investors, they may ask for an article of incorporation. Also, government grants will ask for an article of incorporation as proof of legal existence and structure.
Credibility and professionalism
A registered company enhances its credibility and professional image. To gain credibility, you must show your article of incorporation. They legitimize your business and enhance its professional image.
Confidence
Investors and partners will have the confidence to partner with your company because it is legally registered and has a document to show. Registered businesses are separate from their members, directors, and business owners. Being a separate legal entity gives investors and partners the confidence to invest in the business and not the business owner or director.
How to file the articles of incorporation?
Choose a state
Choose the state where you want to register your company since every state has different rules and regulations.
Gather the necessary information to complete the form
Before you start filling out the articles of incorporation form, gather the necessary information such as the legal business name, the primary address, the name and address of the company’s registered agent, the name and address of the directors and shareholders, the share structure, the structure of the company, the purpose of the business, the period of existence, and name, address, and signature of the incorporator.
Review the form
Once you have all the information needed, you can complete the form and review it for any errors. The information should be accurate and complete before submitting it. Once you have reviewed and the information is accurate and complete you can sign the form.
Pay the filing fees
The fees differ from one state to another. Ensure you research the filing fee in your state and the method of payment.
File it with the Secretary of State’s office
File the document with the Secretary of State’s office in your chosen state. Some states allow online filing, while others require paper submissions by mail or in person. Follow the specific instructions provided by the Secretary of State’s office.
Await approval
Once the submission of articles of incorporation is approved, you will be issued a certificate of incorporation to confirm the legal existence of the business.
To sum up, articles of incorporation also known as a certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation, or corporate charter in other jurisdictions confirm the legal existence of a company. this shows that the company has been registered with the government agencies in their jurisdiction.
Want to form a company in the USA, UK, or Canada? BusinAssist got your back. We offer global company formation services in any jurisdiction where you want your business to be incorporated. As an approved registered agent in all jurisdictions, we can help you incorporate the business and receive official correspondence and legal notices on behalf of your company. once your company is incorporated, we will send you your certificate of incorporation to prove the legal existence of your company.
Turn your idea into reality today with our company formation services by contacting us at info@businassist.com.
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FAQs
Q: Where do you get articles of incorporation?
Ans: Articles of incorporation are obtained from the government’s authority depending on your jurisdiction. In the USA, you will obtain articles of incorporation from the Secretary of State’s office depending on the state of your company’s incorporation. In Canada, you can obtain articles of incorporation from federal, provincial, or territorial governments depending on your incorporation while in the UK, you will get a certificate of incorporation at Companies House.
Q: How to request articles of incorporation?
Ans: To request an article of incorporation, you should identify the state in which you want to register your company and then contact the secretary of state’s office. You can visit the website of that state’s Secretary of State’s office to submit a written request.
Q: What is the purpose of articles of incorporation?
Ans: The primary purpose of articles of incorporation is to establish the legal existence of a company outlining the legal company name, registered address, registered agent, name and address of the director, company structure, share structure, and the purpose of the company.
Q: What do articles of incorporation look like?
Ans: Articles of incorporation may differ from one state to another. Below, is an article of incorporation for Delaware state.
Q: Are articles of incorporation public records?
Ans: Articles of Incorporation contain information available in the public record making the document accessible to the public. In the case you want to open a business bank account, access funds, or apply for permits or licenses, you must show the articles of incorporation making it a public record.
Q: What is included in the articles of incorporation?
Ans: The information included in the articles of incorporation includes:
- The legal business
- The primary address
- Name and address of a registered agent
- Name and address of the directors
- Name, address, and signature of the incorporator
- Share structure
- The purpose of the business
- Company structure
- The duration of incorporation
Q: Where is the certificate number on the articles of incorporation?
Ans: The Certificate number, known as the Certificate of Incorporation Number or Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is found immediately after the title “Certificate of Incorporation” on the document.
Q: How to change the address on articles of incorporation?
Ans: In all states, you can change the address on articles of incorporation by filing an “article of amendment” with the relevant state agency. Identify the correct form for amending the articles of incorporation since they vary from one state to another. The necessary information needed to change the company’s address is the new address, the official business name as mentioned in the articles of incorporation, and any other details you want to be changed. You should also notify the IRS and other relevant parties about the address change.
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Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.