ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

articles  of  incorporation.A  governing  document  that  sets  forth  the  basic  terms  of  a

corporation’s existence, including the number and classes of shares and the purposes and duration

of the corporation. • In most states, the articles of incorporation are filed with the secretary of state

as part of the process of forming the corporation. In some states, the articles serve as a certificate

of incorporation and are the official recognition of the corporation’s existence. In other states, the

government  issues  a  certificate  of  incorporation  after  approving  the  articles  and  other  required

documents.  —  Also  termed  articles  of  association;  articles  of  organization;  certificate  of

incorporation.  —  Often  shortened  (informally)  to  articles.  Cf.  BYLAW(1);  CHARTER(5).  See

governing  document  under  DOCUMENT(1).  [Cases:  Corporations    18.  C.J.S.  Corporations  §§

26, 33–35, 41, 559.][Blacks Law 8th]