Iowa Articles of Incorporation
Iowa 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: | Iowa Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
| Turnaround: | ~1-2 business days |
| Law: |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Iowa Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
Other Helpful Iowa Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Iowa.
Iowa Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws fix a different number. No less than one third.
Iowa 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.
Iowa Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Iowa Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if enough shareholders consent to equal 90% the number entitled to vote on said action.
Iowa Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
