Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation
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What Are Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation?
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.
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: | Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations - Business Program |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Turnaround: | ~5-10 business days. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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For Domestic Close Corporations:
| Agency: | Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations - Business Program |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $125 |
| Turnaround: | ~5-10 business days. |
| Notes: |
|
Other Helpful Pennsylvania Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: Natural persons of full age.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws fix a different number.
Pennsylvania Officers
- President, secretary, and treasurer required.
Pennsylvania Bylaws
- Required: No.
Pennsylvania Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action. Bylaws may provide if enough shareholders consent to equal the number required to take action by vote.
Pennsylvania Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
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