Indiana Articles of Incorporation
Indiana 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: | Indiana Secretary of State - Business Services Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Turnaround: | ~15 minutes online. ~24 hours in-person. ~5-7 business days by mail. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | Submit the original and one copy. |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Indiana Secretary of State - Business Services Division |
| Form: | Articles of Incorporation 4159 (same form as for-profit articles) |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
Other Helpful Indiana Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Indiana.
Indiana Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws fix a different number. No less than one third.
Indiana Officers
- As stated in the bylaws, but a minimum of one. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.
Indiana Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Indiana Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, unless directors are elected by written consent.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.
Indiana Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
