South Dakota Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose

Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers

What are South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?

In South Dakota, Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that must be filed with the Secretary of State to start a corporation. A corporation’s articles need to include certain company information to be approved by the state. This information includes:

  • Corporate name
  • Address of the principal office
  • Name and address of the company’s registered agent
  • Business purpose
  • Number of authorized shares
  • Names and addresses of all incorporators

Articles of organization are usually approved as long as they adhere to the state guidelines and the appropriate filing fee is paid.

How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Secretary of State maintains a business record database. Articles of incorporation are public documents so in this database, you can search for business entities using the entity name or business ID number.

Once you have found the business, you can view the articles of incorporation and see important company information like initial filing date, whether the company is in good standing, the address, and the registered agent.

Does South Dakota Require Articles of Incorporation?

Yes. Filing articles of incorporation is the required first step for establishing a corporation in South Dakota.

How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in South Dakota?

The most convenient way to fill out articles of incorporation is online using the “Start a New Business” portal on the South Dakota Secretary of State website. The portal provides a step-by-step guide to fill out articles of incorporation and then allows you to submit the articles and pay the filing fee all in one place.

The other option is the download the fillable PDF form for South Dakota articles of incorporation, fill them out, then mail them to the Secretary of State with the appropriate filing fee.

Whichever way you choose to fill out your company’s articles of incorporation, it is always recommended that you consult with a lawyer to ensure that your articles are free from mistakes and follow all state and federal laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hire a lawyer to draft articles of incorporation in South Dakota?

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Alexander C. on ContractsCounsel
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Alexander C.

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Tampa, Florida
6 Yrs Experience
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The George Washington University Law School

I am a solo practitioner that runs my own legal practice. I am currently licensed in 16 states and I'm working to expand that reach.

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Lawyer Reviews for South Dakota Articles of Incorporation Projects

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"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."

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"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."

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I was born and raised in Wayne, New Jersey and attended Seton Hall University, graduating cum laude. I followed my family down to Florida to attend Ave Maria School of Law where I graduated cum laude. I was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2018. During law school, I participated in the Certified Legal Internship program with the State Attorney's Office of the 20th Judicial Circuit and litigated 5 jury trials, 1 non jury trial and argued various motions before the court under the supervision of an Assistant State Attorney. I was an Assistant States Attorney for Collier County from 2018 to 2020 before moving into private practice in the areas of real estate and first party property from 2020 to 2021. As of November 2021, I started my own law practice that focuses on business planning, real estate and estate planning.

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Asked on Dec 8, 2024

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.

Answered Dec 9, 2024

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.

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Asked on May 12, 2022

new business startup

we are located in florida but were told delaware is a good satte to incorporaet the business

Bruce B.

Answered May 27, 2022

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.

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Asked on Jun 26, 2022

What is the incorporation’s fee in New York?

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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.

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Asked on Mar 28, 2021

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Answered Mar 29, 2021

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.

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