Most states have an Internet database of corporate registration documents available to the public.
A corporation is registered in the state where it files its formation papers. State law governs the activity of registered corporations and assigns to a state agency the task of keeping records of all entities authorized to do business in the state. In most, but not all, states, the government office in charge of registering corporations is the department of state. A person can contact the business division of the secretary of state's office, or comparable office, and obtain copies of any public business record, including articles of incorporation. Many states have a database accessible over the Internet, and a person can print copies of filed documents from their own computer at no charge.
Instructions
1. Identify the government agency that handles corporate registrations in your state. Except in a handful of states, it will be the office of the secretary of state. Even if some other state agency is handling corporate registrations, the secretary of state's website will point you in the right direction. The Business.gov website maintained by the U.S. Small Business Administration provides a list of corporation registration portals by state. Visit the website if you have any trouble locating the right state office.
2. Navigate to the business section of the secretary of state's website. The information provided in this section will differ by state; however, all states will provide a searchable database that enables the public to research current information about registered business entities and a list of forms and fees. Search for your corporation's name in the business database and access its corporate record. All states will provide basic information about the corporation on a summary page and most states will have electronic versions of filed documents available for printing. From this database you can print the articles of incorporation for any business entity that has been authorized to do business in the state, whether the corporation is active or inactive.
3. Return to the "forms and fees" section of the website if the business search database in your state does not provide electronic versions of filed documents. Locate the "payment form" that would be attached to any hard copy filing of a registration document. One of the options on the payment form will be to obtain copies of previously filed documents for a fee. Fill out the form with a request for a copy of the articles of incorporation for a company and attach the appropriate fee. Most states allow this request to be filed by mail, fax or in person.
