Corporation Paperwork

Each corporation has much paperwork. Below is a checklist of corporation paperwork to help corporations comply with all federal and state laws. The first of a corporation paperwork is the corporation bylaws. Every corporation must have bylaws and must have records of all the minutes of each meetings of shareholders and directors. The corporation paperwork below does not include the articles of incorporation which is kept separately.

Bylaws

The bylaws are the rules for the corporation to operate by. The bylaws must be adopted at the first meeting of the shareholders. The first minutes of the corporation will record the adoption of the bylaws. Bylaws are required under all state laws. Bylaws can be simple for small corporations or complicated for larger corporations.

Waiver of Notice

Before the first shareholders' meeting with the directors and incorporators, a formal notice must be circulated to everyone who was supposed to be present. Otherwise, all parties can sign a 'waiver of notice' so that meetings can be called in short notice without formal circulation of invites.

Minutes

Minutes are recorded at each shareholders' meeting. Minutes must be kept with the books of the corporation. Large corporations usually have secretaries to take minutes whereas for small corporations, the directors may take the minutes themselves and file them themselves. Usually one meeting is required each year. The first minutes is the minutes of the organizational meeting of the corporation where the bylaws are formally adopted. The officers and directors are elected and corporate seal and stock certificates are adopted.

Resolutions

Whenever there is a major decision, a resolution is needed. At a board meeting of shareholders, directors and owners, resolutions are passed and voted on.