Connecticut Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Connecticut nonprofit corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

  • Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
  • Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
  • Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
  • Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization

Fast Facts

Agency:Connecticut Secretary of State - Commercial Recording Division
Form:

Certificate of Incorporation

Filing Method:

Mail, fax or online.

Agency Fee:

$50 + optional $50 expedite fee

Turnaround:

~3-5 business days. ~24 hours for $50 expedite fee.

Law:

Connecticut Revised Nonstock Corporation Act Sec. 33-1026

Other Helpful Connecticut Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Connecticut, keep in mind:


Connecticut Directors

  • Number: minimum 3
  • Qualifications: None. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
  • Term: until the next annual meeting
  • Quorum: majority
  • Committee: minimum 1 director

Connecticut Officers

  • Defined in articles or bylaws. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and authenticates records of the corporation.
  • Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.

Connecticut Members

  • Members: optional
  • Annual meeting: required if members entitled to vote for directors
  • Quorum: majority of entitled votes

Order Registered Agent Service