Arkansas Articles of Incorporation
Arkansas 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: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $50 paper. $45 online. |
| Turnaround: | ~2-4 business days |
| Law: |
For Domestic Benefit Corporations:
| Agency: | Arkansas Secretary of State - Business and Commercial Services Division (BCS) |
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
Other Helpful Arkansas Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Arkansas.
Arkansas Directors
- Number: One or more, unless 50 or fewer shareholders, then no board required.
- Qualifications: No residency or shareholder requirement, unless in bylaws or articles of incorporation.
- Quorum: As prescribed by the bylaws or articles of incorporation, but no fewer than one third of the members.
Arkansas Officers
- As prescribed in the bylaws or articles of incorporation.
Arkansas Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Arkansas Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, and can be court-ordered if not held.
- Action by written consent: Most be unanimous to increase capital stock or bond indebtedness. Majority for all other actions.
Arkansas Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Optional, but shareholder must receive a writing with the same information.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
