How to File Articles of Incorporation in New Hampshire

Filing your New Hampshire Articles of Incorporation is an important step in the process of incorporating your business. This article will help you to work through the process and guide you to where you can get help when you need it.

File Articles of Incorporation in New Hampshire today

Articles of Incorporation (AOI) provide details that the Secretary of State (SOS) needs to register your corporation in New Hampshire. An approved AOI will be needed to request a tax ID number from the Internal Revenue Service. While multiple business types can incorporate, we’ll concentrate on the process for a for-profit business corporation.

The New Hampshire AOI includes some material details of the business you want to incorporate:

1. Your chosen name, which must include one of the following words or abbreviations: “corporation,” “incorporated,” “limited,” “corp.,” “inc.,” or “ltd.” The name cannot be identical to another New Hampshire entity’s name. You may not adopt a name that is close enough to another company’s name to cause confusion or misunderstandings. You can check whether your chosen name is unique on the New Hampshire SOS page for Business Name Lookup. ZenBusiness can help you to reserve your name while you’re working on getting your Articles ready.
2. The number of shares the company is authorized to issue.
3. The name of the person who will be the corporation’s registered agent. The agent receives official correspondence from the SOS and legal notices on behalf of the company. The agent must have a physical street address and not operate out of a P.O. box. ZenBusiness can help you find and retain an agent with their registered agent services.
4. A brief description of the business.
5. Incorporators’ names and addresses.

Note: your AOI is public information and subject to review by any citizen of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Statutes

The following New Hampshire statutes in Chapter 293-A 2.02 cover registering a corporation in the state:

• Corporate naming: RSA 293-A:4.01
• Liability elimination or limitations: RSA 293-A:8.33
• Indemnification of directors: RSA 293-A:8.50(a)(3)
• Independent provisions of the AOI, including number of shares authorized: RSA 293-A:1.20(j)

Form and Fees

a. Form for Domestic (in-state) and Foreign (out-of-state) Corporations: printed or downloaded and filed on your computer. The form is the same for both domestic and foreign entities.
b. Fee: Check the SOS site for the most recent fee schedule.
c. If the form is printed and handwritten, accompany it with a check payable to the “State of New Hampshire.”

Completing the form

If using a physical, handwritten form, be sure to print in black, permanent ink. Also, use 8.5″ × 11″ paper with 1″ margins.

Articles:

Here are step-by-step instructions for completing the New Hampshire Articles of Incorporation form.

First Article: Fill in the company’s name, address, email, and telephone number. The name must include one of the following words or abbreviations: “corporation,” “incorporated,” “limited,” “corp.,” “inc.,” or “ltd.”

Second Article: Fill in the number of shares authorized for the corporation, which must be at least one. Type, par value, and comments are optional.

Third Article: Fill in the name of the corporation’s registered agent and complete physical address. The agent must have a physical address in New Hampshire.

Fourth Article: Describe the main purpose or purposes around which the corporation is organized. Include the NAICS code and sub-code if applicable.

Originally a data collection system, the NAICS code is used by various trade associations and others. Some specific codes may result in tax incentives or other benefits.

Fifth Article: Fill the blank space with “is” if you plan to make your company a benefits corporation. Fill it with “is not” if you don’t plan to do so. A benefits corporation proposes to provide community benefits. If the business is a benefits corporation, you need to include the fiscal year-end date.

List the names, titles, and addresses of all directors and corporation officers, such as Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, or Chief Financial Officer.

Sixth Article: List the names of the incorporators and their business addresses. The minimum number of incorporators is one. The incorporator(s) must sign and date the document at the bottom.

There are often supplemental forms required by New Hampshire to include with the Articles of Incorporation:

1. A statement that the corporation complies with state securities laws.
2. Foreign corporations typically need a Certificate of Good Standing.
3. Other supplemental forms based on your business type may be needed.

Filing the Form

You can file your New Hampshire Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State in three ways:

• Online
• Fax
• By mail or hand-carried to:

Corporate Division
NH Department of State
107 North Main St., Room 204
Concord, NH 03301

Note: Your financial account will be charged a $100 fee when the AOI form is received. This doesn’t indicate that the filing was accepted. The estimated time to receive notice of approval or rejection is within 30 days. The filing fee isn’t refundable.

After you file, you’ll want to make sure you stay in good standing with the state. Use our Worry Free Compliance service to put your mind at ease and focus on what’s important. We’ll send you reminders about important compliance dates and file your annual report.

Conclusion

This article provided a step-by-step guide to submitting your company’s Articles of Incorporation, but you don’t have to go it alone. Avoid the hassles of completing and filing your New Hampshire Articles of Incorporation by using the ZenBusiness registration services within its business formation plans.