New Jersey Articles of Incorporation

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What Are New Jersey Articles of Incorporation?

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

  • Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
  • Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
  • Provides governance and adds credibility

Fast Facts

For Domestic Corporations:

Agency:New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125 + $3.50 credit card service fee + optional $15-$1,000 expedite fee + optional $.10/page for a return fax

Turnaround:

~4 weeks. ~8.5 hours for $15 expedited fee. Same-day for $50 expedite fee. ~2 hours for $500 expedite fee. ~1 hour for $1,000 expedite fee.

Law:

New Jersey Business Corporation Act

Notes:
  • The business registration process is the formation process for any business in New Jersey. Once the formation process is complete, businesses that are eligible to receive a Business Registration Certificate can download a copy within two days of approval or one will be mailed to the address on file within 10 business days.
  • A Business Registration Certificate is used for public contracting and applying for grants/tax credits. Not all businesses are issued a Business Registration Certificate after they complete the formation process. This does not mean that they are not qualified to do business in New Jersey. 

For Domestic Professional Corporations:

Agency:New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125 + $3.50 credit card service fee + optional $15-$1,000 expedite fee + optional $.10/page for a return fax

Notes:
  • The business registration process is the formation process for any business in New Jersey. Once the formation process is complete, businesses that are eligible to receive a Business Registration Certificate can download a copy within two days of approval or one will be mailed to the address on file within 10 business days.
  • A Business Registration Certificate is used for public contracting and applying for grants/tax credits. Not all businesses are issued a Business Registration Certificate after they complete the formation process. This does not mean that they are not qualified to do business in New Jersey. 

Other Helpful New Jersey Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to New Jersey.


New Jersey Directors

  • Number: One or more required.
  • Qualifications: None.
  • Quorum: Majority of directors, unless bylaws or certificate of incorporation fixes a different number. No less than one third.

New Jersey Officers

  • President, secretary, and treasurer required.

New Jersey Bylaws

  • Required: Yes.

New Jersey Annual Shareholder Meeting

  • Required: Yes.
  • Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

New Jersey Shareholders

  • Qualifications: N/A
  • Stock Certificate: Not required.
  • Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.

Helpful Tools

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TimRoute Consultant, Inc.
Harbor Compliance provided excellent customer support and handle everything in establishing my corporation in Texas. They set up my new corporation, obtained a Federal EIN# and provided By-Laws for my corporation quickly and efficiently. John and Cliff both were responsive and provided answers right away to my questions. I am very happy to have relied on Harbor Compliance and will use them again for any future needs.
HarrySidere Technology, Inc.
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MichaelMHLin and Partners Inc.