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Obtaining Your Articles of Incorporation

This guide offers step-by-step instructions for obtaining your Articles of Incorporation, tailored to each state’s requirements.

Sadie Rudiger avatar
Written by Sadie Rudiger
Updated over a week ago

To complete your state registration, you must provide your Articles of Incorporation—a required document for all states. This guide offers step-by-step instructions for obtaining or ordering your Articles of Incorporation, tailored to each state’s requirements.

Alabama

Portal: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Formation:

  1. Visit the Alabama Secretary of State website and click Business Services.

  2. Click Document Copies > Continue to Application.

  3. Select Non-Certified > Continue.

  4. Enter the business name and click Continue.

  5. Select Articles of Formation.

  6. Follow the prompts to pay any applicable fees.

Alaska

Portal: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/search/entities

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Alaska Business Search page.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the entity number in the results and scroll down to Filed Documents.

  4. Next to Creation Filing, click Click to View to download the document.

Arizona

Portal: https://azsos.gov/webform/contact?department=1006

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  • Contact the Business Services Division through the portal linked above to request copies.

Arkansas

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:
Contact Business and Commercial Services to request the Certificate of Organization:

California

Portal: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the California Business Search page.

  2. Search for the business by name or entity number.

  3. Click on the business name in the search results to view its profile.

  4. On the profile window, click View History.

  5. Click Initial Filing > Download.

Colorado

Portal: https://www.sos.state.co.us/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Colorado Secretary of State website and click Business > Search Business Database.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the business ID number and select Filing History and Documents.

  4. Next to Articles of Organization, click the document number to download.

Connecticut

Portal: https://service.ct.gov/business/s/onlinebusinesssearch?language=en_US

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Organization:

  1. Visit the Connecticut Business Search page.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Scroll down to select the correct business.

  4. Under Filing History, locate Certificate of Organization.

  5. Click View as PDF to download the document.

Delaware

Portal: https://corp.delaware.gov/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Delaware Document Upload Service page and scroll down to select Click Here.

  2. Click Document Filing and Certificate Request Service.

  3. Complete the form with the requested information.

  4. Under Document Request Type, select Document Filing.

  5. Under Document Type, enter Certificate of Incorporation.

  6. Download the Articles of Incorporation (plain or certified copy).

  7. Follow the prompts to pay any applicable fees. See the Fee Schedule for details.

Florida

Portal: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Florida Sunbiz website.

  2. Click Search Records > Name.

  3. Enter the business name and click Search Now.

  4. Select the correct business from the results.

  5. Scroll down to Document Images to download the Articles of Incorporation.

Georgia

Portal: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/businesssearch

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Georgia eCorp Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the correct business name from the results.

  4. Select Filing History.

  5. Click Business Formation to download the Articles of Incorporation.

Hawaii

Portal: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Hawaii Business Document Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Select the correct business and click Buy Available Docs.

  4. Choose Articles of Organization and follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

Idaho

Portal: https://sosbiz.idaho.gov/search/business

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Idaho Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name.

  3. Click on the correct company name and select View History on the right side.

  4. Scroll down to Initial Filing.

  5. Click Download to obtain the Articles of Organization.

​Illinois

Portal: https://apps.ilsos.gov/businessentitysearch/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Illinois Business Entity Search.

  2. Click Business Name.

  3. Enter the business name and click Submit.

  4. Click on the correct entity name from the results.

  5. Select the Filing History tab.

  6. Click on the first filing to download the Articles of Organization.

Indiana

Portal: https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Indiana Business Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct Business ID.

  3. Click on Filing History.

  4. Select Articles of Organization to download the document.

Iowa

Portal: https://sos.iowa.gov/search/business/search.aspx

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Organization:

  1. Visit the Iowa Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Select the correct business and click on the Filings tab.

  4. Next to Certificate of Organization, click the certificate number to download.

Kansas

Portal: https://www.sos.ks.gov/eforms/BusinessEntity/Search.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Kansas Business Entity Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. Click on the View Documents tab.

  4. Click Articles of Organization to download the document.

Kentucky

Portal: https://sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Kentucky Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Select the correct business name and click Show Images.

  4. Click Articles of Organization to download the document.

Louisiana

Portal: https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/CommercialSearch/CommercialSearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Original Certificate:

  1. Visit the Louisiana Commercial Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the Buy Certificates and Certified Copies tab.

  4. Select Original Certificate and follow the prompts to pay the applicable fees.

Maine

Portal: https://apps3.web.maine.gov/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Formation:

  1. Visit the Maine Corporate Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Next to the correct business, click Information Summary.

  4. Scroll down and click View List of Filings.

  5. Select Certificate of Formation and follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

Maryland

Portal: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Maryland Business Entity Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click on the correct business name from the results.

  3. Select the Filing History tab.

  4. Click Articles of Organization to download the document.

Massachusetts

Portal: https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Organization:

  1. Visit the Massachusetts Corporation Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search Corporations.

  3. Click on the correct entity name and select View Filings.

  4. Download the Certificate of Organization.

Michigan

Portal: https://mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us/search/business

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Michigan Business Registry.

  2. Enter the business name and click on the correct business from the results.

  3. On the right side, click View History & Filings.

  4. Scroll down to Articles of Incorporation and click Download.

Minnesota

Portal: https://mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/Search

Steps to Obtain Original Filing:

  1. Visit the Minnesota Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Next to the correct business, select Details.

  4. Scroll down to Filing History.

  5. Select the Original Filing and click Order Copies.

  6. Log in to your account and follow the prompts to order the certificate.

Mississippi

Portal: https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx

Steps to Obtain Formation Form:

  1. Visit the Mississippi Business Search.

  2. Enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Next to the correct business, click Details.

  4. Click View Filed Documents.

  5. Next to Formation Form, click View Image to download the document.

Missouri

Portal: https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/BESearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Missouri Business Entity Search.

  2. Enter your business name and click Search.

  3. In the Search Results, click on the correct business name.

  4. Click the Filings tab.

  5. Next to Articles of Organization, click View Document to download.

Montana

Portal: https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/business

Steps to Obtain Initial Filing:

  1. Visit the Montana Business Search and enter your business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. Click View Filings on the right-hand side.

  4. Scroll down to Initial Filing and click Download.

Nebraska

Portal: https://www.nebraska.gov/sos/corp/corpsearch.cgi

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Organization:

  1. Visit the Nebraska Business Search and select Name Starts With.

  2. Enter the business name and click Perform Search.

  3. Next to the correct business, click Details.

  4. Scroll down to Filed Documents.

  5. Select Certificate of Organization and click Add Items to Cart.

  6. Follow the prompts to order the certificate.

Nevada

Portal: https://www.nvsilverflume.gov/login

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Log in to your account on SilverFlume Nevada or register for a new account

  2. Once logged in, follow the prompts to order the filing.

New Hampshire

Portal: https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire

Steps to Obtain Initial Filing:

  1. Visit the New Hampshire Business Inquiry and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. Scroll down and click Filing History.

  4. Click Initial Filing to download the document.

New Jersey

Portal: https://www.njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords/EntityDocs/BusinessCopies.aspx

Steps to Obtain Copies of Filing:

  1. Visit the New Jersey Business Copies page, enter the business name, and click Continue.

  2. Select Order Copies.

  3. Click Continue > Add to Cart.

  4. Follow the prompts to complete the order.

New Mexico

Portal: https://enterprise.sos.nm.gov/search/business

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Formation:

  1. Visit the New Mexico Business Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. On the right side of the screen, click Request Certificate.

  4. Select the available document and follow the prompts to order the certificate.

New York

Portal: https://dos.ny.gov/copies-corporation-or-business-entity-documents

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the New York Department of State – Business Document Requests.

  2. Click Online Requests.

  3. Click Apply Online.

  4. Log in to your account and follow the prompts to request a copy of your Articles of Organization.

North Carolina

Portal: https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration

Steps to Obtain Creation Filing:

  1. Visit the North Carolina Business Registration Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click on the correct business name and select View Filings.

  3. Under Creation Filing, click View Filing to download the document.

North Dakota

Portal: https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/auth?from=/records/business

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Log in to your account on North Dakota FirstStop or register for a new account

  2. Once logged in, follow the prompts to order the filing.

Ohio

Portal: https://businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Ohio Business Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and then click Show Details next to the correct business.

  3. Scroll down to Filings to download the Articles of Organization.

Oklahoma

Portal: https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/corpInquiryFind.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Log in to your account on the Oklahoma Secretary of State Business Search or register for a new account.

  2. Once logged in, follow the prompts to order the filing.

Oregon

Portal: https://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/find.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Oregon Business Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business name.

  3. Scroll down to Summary History.

  4. Next to Articles of Organization, click the document icon to download.

Pennsylvania

Portal: https://file.dos.pa.gov/search/business

Steps to Obtain Articles of Incorporation:

  1. Visit the Pennsylvania Business Entity Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search.

  3. Select the correct business name and, on the right side, click Request Certificate.

  4. Click Login to download a copy of the Articles of Incorporation.

Rhode Island

Portal: https://business.sos.ri.gov/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Rhode Island Business Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. Scroll down and click View Filings.

  4. Next to Articles of Organization, click the PDF file to download.

South Carolina

Portal: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the South Carolina Business Filing Search and enter your business name.

  2. In Search Results, click on the correct business name.

  3. Click Request Documents.

  4. Log in to your account or register for a new account.

  5. Follow the prompts to order a copy of your Articles of Organization.

South Dakota

Portal: https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/BusinessServices/Business/FilingSearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Initial Filing:

  1. Visit the South Dakota Business Filing Search and enter the business name.

  2. Select the correct business name and scroll down to History.

  3. Next to Initial Filing, click on the document link to download the PDF.

Tennessee

Portal: https://tncab.tnsos.gov/portal

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Log in to your account on Tennessee CAB Portal or register for a new account.

  2. Once logged in, follow the prompts to view and order the filings.

Texas

Portal: https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/acct/acct-login.asp

Steps to Obtain Certificates of Formation:

  1. Log in to your account on Texas SOSDirect or register for a new account.

  2. Once logged in, follow the prompts to download the certificates.

Utah

Portal: https://businessregistration.utah.gov/EntitySearch/OnlineEntitySearch

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Organization:

  1. Visit the Utah Business Entity Search and enter your business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct entity name.

  3. Click on Filing History.

  4. Click on the Certificate of Organization to download.

Vermont

Portal: https://bizfilings.vermont.gov/business/businesssearch

Steps to Obtain Filing Documents:

  1. Visit the Vermont Business Search and enter your business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business.

  3. At the bottom of the Business Information page, select Filing History.

  4. Under Document Type, click the link to view and download the document.

Virginia

Portal: https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Virginia Business Entity Search and enter the entity name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct entity ID.

  3. Click Filing History and select Articles of Organization to download.

Washington

Portal: https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Formation:

  1. Visit the Washington Corporation Search.

  2. Under Corporation Name, enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the correct business name and scroll down to Filing History.

  4. Next to Certificate of Formation, click View Documents.

  5. Click Download next to the certificate.

West Virginia

Portal: https://apps.wv.gov/SOS/BusinessEntitySearch/

Steps to Obtain Certificate of Formation:

  1. Visit the West Virginia Business Entity Search and enter the business name.

  2. Click Search and select the correct business name.

  3. Click Purchase Certificate.

  4. Follow the instructions to complete the purchase.

Wisconsin

Portal: https://apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/corpsearch/search.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Wisconsin Business Entity Search and enter your business name.

  2. Click Search Records and select the correct business.

  3. Under Historical Information, click Order a Document Copy.

  4. Follow the instructions to order the Articles of Organization.

Wyoming

Portal: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx

Steps to Obtain Articles of Organization:

  1. Visit the Wyoming Business Filing Search.

  2. Under Filing Name, enter the business name and click Search.

  3. Click on the correct business name and select History.

  4. Click Initial Filing to download the Articles of Organization.

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