West Virginia Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose

Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers

What are West Virginia Articles of Incorporation?

In West Virginia, articles of incorporation is a legal document that is required to establish a new corporation. This formation document must be filed and approved by the West Virginia Secretary of State before a corporation can begin operations.

The purpose of articles of incorporation are to establish your business as a legally operating corporation. Once your company is incorporated, you can request and EIN, open business bank accounts, and apply for the permits and licenses necessary to run a successful business.

How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in West Virginia?

You can find an articles of incorporation form for West Virginia corporations by following these steps:

  1. Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State website.
  2. Click the ”Business” tab at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll down to “Forms and Fees” and click “Search Business and Licensing Forms”.
  4. In the search box, type “Articles of Incorporation”.

The search results will provide several forms, but for profit corporations you will need Form CD-1.

Does West Virginia Require Articles of Incorporation?

Yes. In West Virginia, you cannot form a corporation without filing articles of incorporation.

How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in West Virginia?

West Virginia articles of incorporation can be filled out using the state provided PDF, or by registering your company online on the WV One Stop Business Portal. Your articles of incorporation must include the following information:

  • The corporation name
  • The address of the principal office
  • Registered agent name and address
  • Email address for correspondence
  • Authorized shares
  • The purpose of the corporation
  • 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

How do I hire a lawyer to draft articles of incorporation in West Virginia?

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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.


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Morgan S. on ContractsCounsel
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Morgan S.

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"Morgan was very detailed in his response and explanations. He showed me red flags, potential solutions, and where problems may occur. He explained some high risk clauses that did not make sense and I should not accept. Overall, Morgan saved me from bad business deal when I flagged his concerns to the counterparty. Thanks Morgan!"

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Christopher M.

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Experienced in-house counsel with a strong track record in commercial contracting, data privacy, and regulatory compliance across global organizations. Skilled at aligning legal strategy with business objectives, negotiating complex agreements, and mitigating enterprise risk. Passionate about enabling innovation through practical, business-focused legal solutions.

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Hi, I'm Umar from CounselX. I started off doing domestic and international corporate law work at the world's largest law firm Dentons and then moved in-house as Head of Legal of an investment bank before starting my own firm in 2012. We have been a trusted legal resource for founders since our inception. My team has helped over 1,000 startups launch, grow and thrive. When it comes to corporate and commercial law matters, you need an attorney that not only has a deep understanding of the law, but is passionate about your companys continued success. Whether it's helping to get your business off the ground or handling tough negotiations in a pivotal transaction, I'm available to provide insightful legal counsel and trustworthy guidance. To learn if I'm the right fit, schedule a free 15-minute introductory call with me.

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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.

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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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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