Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation: Definition, Purpose

Quick Facts — Articles of Incorporation Lawyers

What are Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation?

In Wisconsin, articles of incorporation is a legal document that must be filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to establish a new corporation. Articles of incorporation notify the state that a corporation exists and what purpose the business will serve.

How Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?

The state of Wisconsin provides business owners with the necessary forms to establish and run businesses. To find the articles of incorporation form, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website.
  2. Under the “Business Services” tabs, click “Business Entity Forms”

This will bring you to a list of business forms that you may need throughout business operations. Articles of incorporation for a for-profit corporation is Form 2 and is governed by Section 180.0202 of Wisconsin statutes.

Does Wisconsin Require Articles of Incorporation?

Yes. Wisconsin requires articles of incorporation for any company that wants to legally operate as a corporation.

How Do I Fill Out Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin provides two options to fill out and file articles of incorporation:

  1. To file by mail, download and complete Form 2. This is a fillable PDF so it can be typed or handwritten. If you are handwriting this form you must use black ink. Once completed, you can mail the original copy to the Department of Financial Institutions with a check for $100 filing fee.
  2. Wisconsin Business Entity File Online portal . Using the online filing system, you can fill out articles of incorporation step-by-step and then pay the filing fee online with a credit card.

If you are unsure what your articles of incorporation need to include or which type of corporation you should establish, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer. An experienced business lawyer will assist you in drafting and filing this essential corporate document.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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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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Asked on Mar 28, 2021

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.

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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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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Ramsey T.

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LLCs are not technically "companies" or "corporations" and therefore they are not formed by filing Articles of Incorporation. Corporations are formed when you file Articles of Incorporation. LLS are formed by an "Organizer" who files a Form of Organization or Articles of Organization with a state. LLCs actually are "hybrids" with characteristic of companies in some ways and of partnerships in other ways.

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Asked on Dec 23, 2024

Can you provide me with information on the role and responsibilities of a registered agent in a business entity?

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Damien B.

Answered Dec 24, 2024

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.

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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.

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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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