Alabama Articles of Incorporation

Alabama articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

• Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
• Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
• Provides governance and adds credibility

Fast Facts

For Domestic Corporations:

Agency:	Alabama Secretary of State - Business Services Division
Form:	Domestic Business Corporation Certificate of Formation
Filing Method:	Mail
Agency Fee:	$100 state filing fee + min $50 county filing fee + optional $100 secretary expedite fee
Turnaround:	~7-10 business days at the probate's office. Then ~6 months at the secretary of state unless you pay the $100 expedite fee for ~10-14 day turnaround.
Law:	AC §10A
Notes:	Mail one original and two signed copies to the Office of the Judge of Probate in the county where the corporation’s registered office will be located. Include a $100 state filing fee plus the applicable filing fee in your county (minimum $50, ask your Office of the Judge of Probate). Attach your Name Reservation Certificate. See AC §10A-2-2.02: Supplemental Provisions

For Domestic Professional Corporations:

Agency:	Alabama Secretary of State - Business Services Division
Form:	Domestic Business Corporation Certificate of Formation
Agency Fee:	$100 for standard service or $200 for expedited filing.

Other Helpful Alabama Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Alabama.

Alabama Directors

• Number: One or more required.
• Qualifications: Natural person at least 19 years of age. No shareholder requirement. No residency requirement.
• Quorum: Majority of directors, unless otherwise fixed in bylaws.

Alabama Officers

• As provided in the bylaws.

Alabama Bylaws

• Required: Yes.

Alabama Annual Shareholder Meeting

• Required: Yes, but no consequence to not holding one.
• Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

Alabama Shareholders

• Qualifications: N/A
• Stock Certificate: not required.
• Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.