Incorporate in Alabama
The authority for incorporating in Alabama is the Corporations Division of the
Alabama Secretary of State. This is the government agency responsible for
all forms, filings, and record keeping. It acts under State Authority granted by
the Alabama Business Corporation Act.
The Corporations Division also maintains all corporate filings of record. The types
of business structures available are For-Profit and Not-For-Profit Corporations,
Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, and Registered Limited Liability
Partnerships.
Five basic steps to incorporate in Alabama
- Search to make sure your company name is available. You can use the free CorpNet
company name search.
Your corporate name in Alabama will have to include one of the suffixes, Corporation
(or Corp.); Incorporated (or Inc.) and for limited liability companies, LLC. Alabama
has reserved the words: Bank, Trust, and Engineer/Engineering – these can be used
in your name if you have the appropriate certificates and licensing, but otherwise
are prohibited. Your corporate name cannot imply a service or business which conflicts
with the purpose stated when you register.
- Register your corporation (or LLC) with the Secretary of State.
CorpNet offers filings of the Articles of Incorporation (for corporate structures)
and for LLCs, Articles of Organization.
- Hold the first official meeting for the corporation or LLC and adopt the Bylaws
(corporations) or Operating Agreement (LLCs). This is a legal meeting and must be
recorded as such. (See section below about officers and documentation.)
- Apply for a Federal
Employer Identification Number (EIN) under the corporate name. In Alabama, this
will also serve as your State Tax Identification Number. You will also have to arrange
for a bank account under this number for accounting purposes. Your financial institution
will want a copy of the EIN as well as a certificate of registration from the Secretary
of State.
- Obtain any specific licenses and permits required, either statewide or for the county
in which you will do business. Some examples would be: Electrician’s license,
trucking licenses and permits, Liquor license, etc.
Foreign and Domestic Corporations
A foreign corporation is a corporation registered in another State that does business in Alabama. Foreign corporations are required to register in Alabama and obtain a Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Alabama.
Domestic corporations are those formed in Alabama itself. While there is no residency requirement for directors or officers of Alabama corporations, a registered agent (who can also be a corporate officer) must have a physical address in Alabama along with regular business hours. They have to be available to take phone calls and respond to legal matters. Hiring a Registered Agent will protect your privacy and meet the requirements of incorporation in Alabama.
Officers and documents
Corporations in Alabama must have one or more directors whose names and addresses will appear in the articles of incorporation. All must be at least 19 years old.
Corporate officers do not have to appear in filings, but information about officers, stockholders, minutes of required meetings, and annual reports have to be maintained at the corporate offices. Other records required at the principle place of business include a copy of the articles of incorporation along with any amendments.
Common Forms
- Domestic For-Profit Corporation Articles of Incorporation –
This is filed in triplicate at the Secretary of State’s Office in the county where
the primary business location will be. This has to be accompanied by a certificate
of name reservation.
- Certificate of Name Reservation – This form is mailed to
the Secretary of State in Montgomery. To ensure a name is available, a name search
should be performed at the state level before a request is sent in. The suffix,
Corporation, Incorporated, Corp. or Inc. is required, and some words (like Engineer,
Engineering, or Bank) are reserved for those with proper documentation.
There is also a version for Foreign Corporation name reservation.
- Application for Certificate of Existence – This is used to
prove a corporation in Alabama is properly registered. Commonly, Corporations pay
for certificates to be sent directly from the State to lenders (or others) in order
to verify their status.
- Change of Agent – Because the registered agent is the point
of contact between the corporate entity and the State of Alabama, any change must
be documented with the State.
- Domestic For-Profit Corporation Articles of Correction Form –
This is used to alter the original articles of incorporation.
- Domestic For-Profit Corporation Articles of Dissolution Form –
Used to dissolve a corporation. Foreign registered corporations have an equivalent
form called a Withdrawal Form.
Forming a corporation online
Incorporation in Alabama can be handled remotely through our services. We offer complete packages that allow you to start your corporation or LLC without missing key steps or documents. This lets you focus on managing your business instead of getting stuck in state mandated paperwork. Incorporating online is as easy as providing some initial information and deciding which type of corporation best fits your needs. CorpNet is available to help you start a corporation in Alabama and one-year Registered Agent Services is standard in our packages. We also include unlimited customer support.