How to Form a C Corporation in North Dakota
Introduction
Congratulations on officially forming your own corporation! I’ll bet you’re thrilled to be taking this important step in starting your business. As you know, forming a C Corporation can be a complicated process. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide that covers everything from naming your business to opening up corporate bank accounts and appointing an initial registered agent.
Naming a business is a fun step in the process of starting your own company in North Dakota.
In the name of your business, you want to keep a few things in mind:
- Make it unique but not too unique. It’s important to choose a name that’s easily recognizable and easy to spell and pronounce—but you also don’t want to have too many people think they already know what it is. In other words, if someone hears or sees your business name for the first time and doesn’t recognize it as theirs, then you might have gotten pretty close! (Just check our list of allowed words below.)
- Keep it simple and memorable. Your company’s name should be both memorable and unique so it sticks out from all the rest of them out there—and makes sense when someone reads or hears about it! For example, “Apple Computers Incorporated” is much easier to remember than say “Apple Computer Incorporated.” And with software like Google Docs available now days, who wants more than one word anyway? The shorter the better!
Forming a C Corporation in ND requires you to file articles of incorporation with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
When forming a corporation in North Dakota, you’ll need to file articles of incorporation with the state’s Secretary of State. Articles of incorporation are a short document that briefly outlines the purpose and structure of your business. They must contain certain key elements, but otherwise there are no specific requirements for what you can write in your articles. In most cases, it’s best to hire an attorney to prepare these documents for you (see “Get Help From an Attorney” below).
Articles must be filed at the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office in Bismarck, ND. There is no fee associated with filing articles; however, there will be processing fees charged by the company with whom you set up your business accounts or other services needed in order to run your new C Corporation.
You need to file your C Corp’s articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State’s office before you can legally operate your business.
You need to file your C Corp’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State’s office before you can legally operate your business. You’ll also need to file a Statement of Acceptance and a copy of the bylaws. The registered agent must open a corporate bank account in his or her name, which will be used for all payments related to the corporation.
In addition to filing articles of incorporation, you need to file a Statement of Acceptance, which appoints an Initial Registered Agent.
You also need to file a Statement of Acceptance. This document appoints an Initial Registered Agent. The Initial Registered Agent is responsible for receiving official correspondence on behalf of the corporation and ensuring that it is delivered to the actual officers or persons in control of your company.
In some states, you have to hold a formal organizational meeting and pass resolutions before your C Corp can begin operating. This is not required in North Dakota.
Unlike other states, you won’t have to hold a formal organizational meeting or pass resolutions to get started. You can start operating immediately.
You’ll need to establish bylaws when you form your North Dakota corporation. These are not filed with the state but must be kept on hand at all times.
Bylaws are not filed with the state. They must be kept on hand at all times, however. You do not need to file bylaws with the state of North Dakota unless you have more than one shareholder or you want to establish rules or regulations that differ from those in state statutes.
You can create your own set of bylaws or simply use a template provided by an attorney or other professional service provider. It’s important that these documents are accurate and reflective of how your corporation will operate, as this document will serve as guidance for future company decisions if no one is present at meetings who can decide based on past practices or precedent.
A registered agent is required for every North Dakota corporation and must be named during the formation process.
When you form a corporation in North Dakota, you must name a registered agent during the formation process. A registered agent is required for every North Dakota corporation and must be named during the formation process. A registered agent is an individual or company that has been authorized by the corporation to receive legal documents on its behalf from third parties (such as banks and creditors).
A Registered Agent’s Responsibilities
The duties of a registered agent are:
- To be available during normal business hours
- To have a physical address in ND (a post office box is not acceptable)
- To have a valid email address
- To have a phone number
A registered agent can be an individual or a business entity that operates in the state during normal business hours.
In addition to all the other requirements, a registered agent must be an individual or entity that is available during normal business hours and has a physical address in North Dakota. They also need to have a valid street address and phone number.
The first thing that all C Corps need to do after being formed is open a corporate bank account so that all income and expenses can be properly tracked and reported on tax returns.
The first thing that all C Corps need to do after being formed is open a corporate bank account so that all income and expenses can be properly tracked and reported on tax returns. This account will also help you keep track of the money in your business, which is important when it comes time to pay yourself.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about starting your own C Corp, please contact our team of experts. We’re here to help answer any questions and make sure everything goes smoothly.
