Utah Articles of Incorporation

Utah 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:	Utah Department of Commerce - Division of Corporations and Commerical Code
Form:	Articles of Incorporation
Instructions:	Articles of Incorporation (Profit) Instructions and Information on Incorporating a Business Corporation
Filing Method:	Mail, fax, in-person, or online
Agency Fee:	$70 + optional $75 expedite fee.
Turnaround:	~14 business days by mail or fax. ~1 business day online. ~1-2 business days by mail or fax with $75 expedite fee.
Law:	Utah Code - Title 16 c10a: Utah Revised Business Corporation Act
Notes:	Submit the original signed articles. If the filer requests a copy of the Articles of Incorporation an additional exact copy of the filed document along with a return-addressed envelope with adequate first-class postage must also be submitted. Filing online in Utah can be confusing.

For Domestic Professional Corporations:

Agency:	Utah Department of Commerce - Division of Corporations and Commerical Code
Form:	Articles of Incorporation
Agency Fee:	$70

Other Helpful Utah Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Utah.

Utah Directors

• Number: Three required, unless fewer than three shareholders.
• Qualifications: None.
• Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or articles of incorporations fix a different number. No less than one third.

Utah Officers

• As stated in the bylaws. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.

Utah Bylaws

• Required: No.

Utah Annual Shareholder Meeting

• Required: Yes.
• Action by written consent: Allowed if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.

Utah Shareholders

• Qualifications: N/A
• Stock Certificate: Not required.
• Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.