Oklahoma Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation
Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Oklahoma 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: | Oklahoma Secretary of State - Business Filing Department |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, in-person, or online |
| Agency Fee: | $25 |
| Turnaround: | ~7-10 business days by mail. ~1 business day online. |
| Law: |
Other Helpful Oklahoma Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Oklahoma, keep in mind:
Oklahoma Directors
- Number: minimum 1
- Qualifications: Natural person. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
- Term: until successor is elected and qualified
- Quorum: majority
- Committee: minimum 1 director
Oklahoma Officers
- Defined in bylaws or board resolution. One officer prepares minutes of the directors' and members' meetings and keeps a record book.
- Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.
Oklahoma Members
- Members: If there are no members then the directors are members.
- Regular meeting: required annually
- Quorum: 1/3rd members
