The articles ofincorporationof a general business corporation must provide the information required by Section 351.055, RSMo. The Secretary of State’s office provides a blank form that may be used to comply with the statutoryrequirements.
Learn about the Staterequirementstoincorporateyour business. Corporate name endings, stock information, officers, franchise tax, and more.

Apr 17, 2026 ·Starting yourbusinessis an exciting time. Knowing how to form a corporation will get your newbusinessventure off to a good start.Apr 17, 2025 ·Incorporating yourbusinesscan offer liability protection and tax advantages, but it also comes with added complexities and costs. This guide outlines the key steps to incorporating, from choosing abusinessstructure and name to filing the necessary paperwork.How do I incorporate a general business corporation?The articles ofincorporationof a generalbusinesscorporation must provide the information required by Section 351.055, RSMo. The Secretary of State’s office provides a blank form that may be used to comply with the statutoryrequirements. It is important to calculateincorporationfees properly.What information should be included in a business incorporation?It's required by every state when you incorporate. The most common information included is thecompany name, business purpose, number of shares offered, value of shares, directors, and officers. Bylaws (called resolutions for nonprofits) are the internal governance documents of a corporation.What is a certificate of incorporation?The articles of incorporation — or a certificate of incorporation — isa comprehensive legal document that lays out the basic outline of your business. It's required by every state when you incorporate. The most common information included is the company name, business purpose, number of shares offered, value of shares, directors, and officers.Is incorporation mandatory for a business?Even though incorporation isnot mandatoryfor a business, there are a number of benefits to doing so, such as limited liability and tax flexibility. It's up to each business owner to determine what is right for them. Here are some benefits to incorporating your business:Here's a detailed breakdown of the 11incorporationdocuments you'll need, how to create them, and how to file them.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the 11incorporationdocuments you'll need, how to create them, and how to file them.