Hawaii Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Hawaii 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: | Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) |
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person or online |
| Agency Fee: | $26 + optional $25 expedite fee |
| Turnaround: | ~7-14 business days by mail. ~3-5 business days by fax, in-person, or online. ~1-3 business days if you file online and pay the $25 expedite fee. |
| Law: | Hawaii Statutes - Chapter 414d: Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act |
| Notes: | Filing online will NOT result in sufficient language for 501(c) exemption. You must add provisions to the paper form. |
Other Helpful Hawaii Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Hawaii, keep in mind:
Hawaii Directors
- Number: minimum 3
- Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: default is 1 year, 5 year maximum
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 2 directors
Hawaii 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.
Hawaii Members
- Members: optional
- Annual meeting: required
- Quorum: 1/10th votes
