What primary document must be filed to create a corporation?

To create a corporation, the primary document that must be filed is known as the Articles of Incorporation. This document is essential because it establishes the existence of the corporation in the eyes of the state and outlines key information about the corporation, such as its name, purpose, number of shares, and registered agent.

Filing the Articles of Incorporation formally registers the corporation and allows it to operate as a separate legal entity. This separation offers liability protection to the owners (shareholders) and provides them with a clear structure for governance.

Other documents, such as bylaws, play important roles in the internal governance of the corporation, detailing how it will be managed and operated. However, they are not the primary documents required for the formation of the corporation itself. Articles of Organization are specific to LLCs, and corporate policies, while essential for operational purposes, do not fulfill the legal requirement to establish the corporation. Thus, the Articles of Incorporation are the critical first step in forming a corporation.