Arizona Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Arizona nonprofit corporation.
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.
Benefits
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
- Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
- Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization
Fast Facts
| Agency: | Arizona Corporation Commission - Corporations Division |
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | Instructions C011i: Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Corporation |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person, or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $40 + optional $35 expedite fee |
| Turnaround: | See state-published current processing times (usually about two months). ~4-6 business days for $35 expedite fee. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | A complete application package contains:
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Other Helpful Arizona Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Arizona, keep in mind:
Arizona Directors
- Number: minimum 1
- Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: 1 year
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Arizona Officers
- Defined in articles or bylaws. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and authenticates records of the corporation.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Arizona Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
