New Hampshire Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a New Hampshire 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:	New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporations Division
Form:	Form NP-1 NH Nonprofit Application
Instructions:	Corporate Division publication on New Hampshire Nonprofit Corporations
Filing Method:	Mail or online.
Agency Fee:	$25 state fee + $5 city/town fee = $30 total
Turnaround:	~10-14 business days
Law:	New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSAs) - Chapter 292: Voluntary Corporations and Associations
Notes:	At least five signatures on the articles are required. Submit signed originals to the state. After filing with the Secretary of State, file a copy with the office of the clerk of the town or city in which the mailing address of the corporation is located ($5 fee).

Other Helpful New Hampshire Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to New Hampshire, keep in mind:

New Hampshire Directors

• Number: minimum 5 voting members
• Qualifications: At least 5 voting members who are not of the same immediate family or related by blood or marriage (some exceptions). No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
• Quorum: majority
• Committee: minimum 2 directors

New Hampshire Officers

• Defined in bylaws or board resolution. 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.

New Hampshire Members

• Members: optional. No members by default.
• No voting rights except as defined in articles or bylaws.
• Annual meeting: required
• Quorum: majority of entitled votes