CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

certificate of incorporation. 1. A document issued by a state authority (usu. the secretary of state) granting a corporation its legal existence and the right to function as a corporation. — Also termed charter; corporate charter. 2.ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. [Cases: Corporations 18.C.J.S. Corporations §§ 26, 33–35, 41, 559.] [Blacks Law 8th]