Vermont Articles of Incorporation
Vermont 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: | Vermont Secretary of State - Division of Corporations |
| Form: | Forms can be requested here. |
| Instructions: | Incorporating and Vermont Secretary of State - Incorporation FAQs |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Turnaround: | 1 business day for online and ~5-7 business days for mail |
| Law: | |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
For Domestic Close Corporations:
| Agency: | Vermont Secretary of State - Division of Corporations |
| Form: | Forms can be requested here. |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
For Domestic Close Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Vermont Secretary of State - Division of Corporations |
| Form: | Forms can be requested here. |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
For Domestic Close Benefit Corporations:
| Agency: | Vermont Secretary of State - Division of Corporations |
| Form: | Forms can be requested here. |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
Other Helpful Vermont Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Vermont.
Vermont Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors.
Vermont Officers
- As stated in the bylaws. One person may hold multiple offices. One officer is required to be responsible for maintaining corporate records.
Vermont Bylaws
- Required: Yes.
Vermont Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action. Articles of incorporation may provide if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.
Vermont Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
