Massachusetts Articles of Incorporation
Massachusetts 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: | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $275 + optional $25 expedite fee + $100 for each 100,000 authorized shares over 275,000 |
| Turnaround: | ~2-3 business days by mail (plus mail time). ~1-3 business days by fax with $25 expedite fee. |
| Law: |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $275 minimum for up to 275,000 shares; ($100 for each additional 100,000 shares) |
Other Helpful Massachusetts Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Directors
- Number: At least three required.
- Qualifications: Must be a shareholder, unless otherwise in bylaws.
- Quorum: Statute is silent.
Massachusetts Officers
- Clerk, Treasurer, and President required.
Massachusetts Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Massachusetts Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Statute is silent.
Massachusetts Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
