Hawaii Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Hawaii nonprofit corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

  • Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
  • Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
  • Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
  • Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization

Fast Facts

Agency:Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG)
Form:

Articles of Incorporation

Instructions:

Form DNP-1 Instructions

Filing Method:

Mail, fax, in-person or online

Agency Fee:

$26 + optional $25 expedite fee

Turnaround:

~7-14 business days by mail. ~3-5 business days by fax, in-person, or online. ~1-3 business days if you file online and pay the $25 expedite fee.

Law:

Hawaii Statutes - Chapter 414d: Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act

Notes:

Filing online will NOT result in sufficient language for 501(c) exemption. You must add provisions to the paper form.

Other Helpful Hawaii Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Hawaii, keep in mind:


Hawaii Directors

  • Number: minimum 3
  • Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
  • Term: default is 1 year, 5 year maximum
  • Quorum: majority
  • Committee: minimum 2 directors

Hawaii Officers

  • Defined in articles or bylaws. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and authenticates records of the corporation.
  • Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.

Hawaii Members

  • Members: optional
  • Annual meeting: required
  • Quorum: 1/10th votes

Order Registered Agent Service
© 2012 - 2021 Harbor Compliance. All rights reserved. Harbor Compliance does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Use of our services does not create an attorney-client relationship. Harbor Compliance is not acting as your attorney and does not review information you provide to us for legal accuracy or sufficiency. Access to our website is subject to our Terms of Use and Service Agreement.