Michigan Articles of Incorporation
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What Are Michigan 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: | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in person or online. MICH-ELF filers may file by fax or e-mail. |
| Agency Fee: | $60 for up to 60,000 authorized shares + optional $50-1,000 expedite service |
| Turnaround: | ~5-7 business days with returned documents in ~4 weeks when filing by mail or in-person. ~2 business days filing through MICH-ELF fax. ~24 hours for $50. Same day for $100. 2 hours for $500. 1 hour for $1,000. See Expedited Service Request |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | Submit one original of this document. Upon filing, the document will be added to the records of the Corporations Bureau. The original will be returned to your registered office address, unless you specify otherwise. |
For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $50 minimum (depends on authorized shares) + $10 filing fee. |
Other Helpful Michigan Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Michigan.
Michigan Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of the directors, unless otherwise fixed in the bylaws or articles of incorporation.
Michigan Officers
- President, Secretary, and Treasurer required. One person can be any two of these.
Michigan Bylaws
- Required: No.
Michigan Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if provided for in the articles of incorporation.
Michigan Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Optional, but shareholder must receive a writing with the same information.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
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