Oklahoma Articles of Incorporation
Oklahoma 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: | Oklahoma Secretary of State - Business Filing Department |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $50 for up to $50,000 authorized shares + optional $25 expedite fee for in-person same-day service |
| Turnaround: | ~7-10 business days by mail. ~1 business day online or when filed in-person with $25 expedite fee. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | A general purpose statement such as "any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general corporation law of Oklahoma" is acceptable. |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Oklahoma Secretary of State - Business Filing Department |
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | Minimum of $50 |
Other Helpful Oklahoma Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or certificate of incorporation fixes a different number. No less than one third.
Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Oklahoma Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes, unless directors are elected by written consent.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
Oklahoma Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
