Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose
Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft an Articles of Incorporation (Corporations): $590.00
- Lawyers available: 109 business lawyers
- Clients helped: 85 recent articles of incorporation projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.95 (7 reviews)
What are Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation?
In Rhode Island, articles of incorporation is a legal document that is required to establish a new corporation within the state. This formation document must be filed with and approved by the Rhode Island Secretary of State before a corporation can begin operations.
How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Rhode Island?
You can find an articles of incorporation form on the Rhode Island Secretary of State website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Rhode Island Secretary of State website.
- Click on “Business Services” from the main page.
- Scroll down and click “Start a New Business” under the “For RI Businesses” menu.
- Under “Register your business” you will see a list of forms for different types of business structures.
- Click “PDF” next to “Business Corporation” to find a downloadable articles of incorporation form.
It is important to know what type of business entity you wish to establish because each entity has a different form or legal requirement. Consult with an experienced business attorney for guidance on selecting a business structure and obtaining the proper forms.
Does Rhode Island Require Articles of Incorporation?
Yes. In Rhode Island, you cannot form a corporation without filing articles of incorporation.
How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in Rhode Island?
You can fill out Rhode Island articles of incorporation either online through the Division of Business Services e-file portal, or by downloading an available form. You articles of incorporation must include the following information:
- The corporation name
- Total authorized shares, class of stock, and par value
- The specific purpose of the corporation
- Registered agent name and address
- The name and address of each incorporator
- The signature of each incorporator.
If you are unsure how to properly draft articles of incorporation, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer to assist you in drafting and filing these essential formation documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Real Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) Projects
New Jersey New Business set up (New Jersey) Drafting
- New Jersey
- 10 lawyer bids
- $250 - $5,000
Washington File Articles of Incorporation Prepare & File
- Washington
- 5 lawyer bids
- $300 - $999
See all Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) projects in Rhode Island
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Need to file articles of incorporation?
Meet some of our Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
Moss S.
Over 30 years of experience practicing commercial real estate and complex business litigation law.
"Moss S was responsive and attentive to my needs and completed the task ahead of time and within budget"
Elizabeth W.
Liz is an experienced insurance professional, having worked with carriers and brokers for over 10 years. She can review or draft a variety of commercial agreements and is here to help your business. Specialties include: Master Service Agreements, business process outsourcing, marketing and partnership agreements, broker agreements, business associate agreements, and NDAs.
"Liz was very responsive, eager to do a good job, and a pleasure to work with."
Nicholas M.
Nicholas Matlach is a cybersecurity expert (CISSP) and an attorney who is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. He is a client-focused professional who has a deep understanding of the challenges that small businesses face in the digital age. He also provides legal counsel to small businesses on a variety of issues, including formation, intellectual property, contracts, and employment law.
"Enjoyed his demeanor. Professional yet down to earth. The document created for me was very explicit and easy to read. I would recommend :)"
Paul M.
Transactional attorney and corporate in house counsel for 15 years. Draft all types of contracts and employment agreements.
"Paul was great to work with - he got back to me incredibly quickly, had a competitive price, and gave me the feedback I was looking for in a way that was very easy for me to understand, and gave me confidence to move forward with my independent consulting contracts. Thanks, Paul!"
March 8, 2025
David W.
David has experience assisting individuals, startups, mid-sized, and publicly traded companies with various business, corporate, and real estate matters including residential and commercial real estate sales, acquisitions, financing and leasing; contract drafting and negotiation; regulatory compliance; and business acquisition, sale, formation, and dissolution.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowLawyer Reviews for Rhode Island Articles of Incorporation Projects
Articles of Incorporation
"Jimmy was excellent to work with. Very informative, gave me several options, communicated every day and completed the project ahead of schedule. I would highly recommend him if you are starting a new business and need help."
ContractsCounsel User
File Articles of Incorporation
"Laid everything out up front including cost and timeline. Kept to the timeline and explained everything he did and I need to do moving forward in layman's terms which is greatly appreciated."
ContractsCounsel User
SCA Doc Job
"Allen was extremely helpful, provided excellent guidance, even beyond the exact scope of work which a professional and experienced legal advisor would. And provided a detailed and consumable work product on time and communicated clearly how to proceed. Thank you."
Reply From Allen L.
Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. I enjoyed working on the SCA documents with you, and I am glad the work product gave you a clear path forward — going beyond the stated scope is just how I approach things when I see something that matters. Please reach out any time you need legal support. Allen
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ContractsCounsel User
New Business set up (New Jersey)
"Jason was easy to work with, took the time to answer the questions we had and delivered the scope of work as agreed."
ContractsCounsel User
Meet some of our other Articles of Incorporation Lawyers
Orly B.
Orly Boger has worked in the high tech industry and in a leading law firm before launching her law firm. Orly focuses on startup companies and technology transactions. She structures and negotiates software and technology license agreements, strategic partnerships, cloud-based/SaaS agreements, internet related transactions, OEM agreements, supply, distribution, telecommunications. In addition, Orly has experience in serving as an in-house legal counsel for start up companies at various phases of their development, providing strategic legal advise to entrepreneurs and emerging companies with a comprehensive understanding of the business and legal issues. She has been helping companies develop a legal strategy for all aspects of their operations, from commercial transactions and partnerships, scalable SaaS or services agreements, privacy policies, employment related policies, open source licensing and much more.
"Quick response every time, fast to revise the documents. Great to give advice"
May 17, 2022
Jerry L.
Jerry provides legal advice to business owners regarding contracts, business law, labor & employment, wills and estates, and real estate.
Corporate Governance
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can you provide me with information on the role and responsibilities of a registered agent in a business entity?
I recently started a small business and I have been advised to appoint a registered agent for my company. However, I am not fully aware of the role and responsibilities of a registered agent and how they can benefit my business. I would like to understand the legal requirements and obligations associated with this position, as well as how a registered agent can assist in ensuring compliance with state regulations and receiving important legal documents on behalf of my company.
Damien B.
If a company registers to do business in a state where it does not have a physical presence, it must designate a registered agent in that state to accept legal documents. This ensures compliance with state laws and provides a reliable way to receive official communications. A company can appoint itself as its registered agent to receive legal documents if it has a physical address in that state. In that situation, there would be no need to have a separate registered agent. Some business owners who work from home opt for a registered agent service, which can help protect privacy by keeping the individual's home address off public records. Feel free to reach out if you want a consultation or other legal services.
Business
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
new business startup
we are located in florida but were told delaware is a good satte to incorporaet the business
Bruce B.
Yes. Many businesses choose to incorporate in Delaware because Delaware has favorable laws to business entities as well as a detailed history of how cases will by decided by their courts. For this reason Delaware is a good option to consider for incorporation. You can then register with the State of Florida as a foreign corporation doing business in Florida.
Business
Articles of Incorporation
New York
What is the incorporation’s fee in New York?
I am a U.S. citizen, can I form a corporation with a Bangladesh national?
Ema T.
The Statutory fee for a domestic business corporation in the state of NY is currently $125. Any information provided as an answer to these questions does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the attorney and anyone in relation to any information provided under the Q & A section of this website.
Non-Profit Corporation
Articles of Incorporation
New York
Can the Articles of Incorporation be amended to change the purpose of a nonprofit organization?
I am a board member of a nonprofit organization that was established with a specific purpose outlined in our Articles of Incorporation. However, due to changing circumstances and the evolving needs of our community, we are considering amending the Articles of Incorporation to expand our organization's purpose. We want to know if it is legally possible to make such changes to the Articles of Incorporation and if there are any specific requirements or procedures we need to follow in order to do so.
Damien B.
Hello! My name is Damien Bosco, Esq. My law office is located in Long Island City across from Manhattan. A not-for-profit corporation may amend its Certificate of Incorporation from time to time by filing a Certificate of Amendment under Section 803 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. The document may contain any information originally included in a Certificate of Incorporation (name change, revision to the purpose clause, etc.). Because you plan to alter the corporation's purpose, you must review Section 804 to ensure you obtain the necessary consent. If you need a consultation or help with this, feel free to reach out. Best regards.
Corporate
Articles of Incorporation
Florida
When do I need articles of incorporation?
I want to start an LLC in Florida and have read about articles of incorporation. I want to understand what they are used for.
Jane C.
You need articles of incorporation when you start a business, open a business bank account, and apply for a tax identification number. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
View Trustpilot ReviewNeed to file articles of incorporation?
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ContractsCounsel User
AMPOWER CORP
Location: Florida
Turnaround: A week
Service: Drafting
Doc Type: Articles of Incorporation (Corporations)
Number of Bids: 5
Bid Range: $238 - $2,000
ContractsCounsel User