Key Takeaways

  • A corporate charter (also called articles of incorporation) is a foundational legal document required to form a corporation.
  • The charter establishes the corporation’s objectives, structure, location, ownership, and operational authority.
  • The corporate charter number is a unique identifier assigned by the state upon approval and filing of the charter, which is essential for legal and regulatory processes.
  • Corporate charters differ by state but usually contain similar required sections.
  • Registered agents, board composition, and the number of authorized shares are common required details.
  • The charter’s approval marks the official legal existence of the corporation.
  • Additional compliance documents and numbers may be needed for proper business registration.
  • UpCounsel can connect you with experienced attorneys for assistance in preparing or filing a corporate charter.What is a corporate charter? A corporate charter, also called a charter or articles of incorporation, is a composed record that the creators of a corporation file with the applicable US state.

Introduction of a Corporate Charter

A corporate charter contains the following information concerning a corporation:

  • Objectives
  • Structure
  • Planned operations

While many state laws vary regarding the founding of corporations, the requirements concerning a corporate charter are usually very similar.

The establishment of a corporate charter signifies the beginning of a corporation because once a charter receives state government approval, the business is officially a legal entity.

The purpose of a corporate charter is to publicly launch a new corporation.

Comparatively, a certificate of formation is used to create a limited liability company or LLC.

A limited liability company is officially established after the certificate of formation is provided to the applicable secretary of state.

Prior to making any business transactions, a corporation must verify that the corporate charter document has been filed.

Also included in a corporate charter is simple information such as:

  • Location
  • Profit or nonprofit label
  • Board member information
  • Ownership information

In contrast to corporate bylaws, a corporate charter does not establish guidelines for a business's daily activities.

When filing the corporate charter, founders must send it to the secretary of state in which the company is located and include payment in the amount of the applicable fee.

While simple corporate charter forms are usually available online through many state governments' websites, some founders prefer to utilize a professional attorney who can assist in determining the best state for incorporation.

If a company begins business transactions prior to filing its corporate charter, the owners of the business become potentially liable for any destruction and debt affiliated with transactions preceding approval of the charter.

A corporate charter also assists in declaring the fundamentals of a company such as the operations the company plans to begin once it is approved.

A corporate charter also provides a company the right to partake in activities that are allowed according to the applicable state laws.

If the founders of a corporation choose to complete a corporate charter without the assistance of an attorney, they can locate the form online and have it filed in a relatively short amount of time.

What Is a Corporate Charter Number?

A corporate charter number is a unique identification number assigned by a state’s Secretary of State or similar agency when a corporation files its charter or articles of incorporation. This number serves as the official reference for the corporation in all state records and is often required for tasks such as filing annual reports, paying fees, or making changes to your business entity. The charter number can be considered the corporation’s legal “ID card” within the state and is used to track its status, ensure compliance, and facilitate searches in public databases.

Most states will issue the corporate charter number once the articles of incorporation have been approved and processed. This number may appear on the certificate of incorporation, official filings, or in the state’s online business database. If you need to confirm your business’s legal status, look up its public filings, or file amendments, you will typically need this number.

Key points about the corporate charter number:

  • Issued by the state when the charter is approved.
  • Used in all official state records for the corporation.
  • Required for legal filings and compliance tasks.
  • Helps public and government agencies identify your business.

In summary, if you’re asking "what is a corporate charter number," it’s the state-issued number that uniquely identifies your corporation and is essential for managing its legal standing and filings.

Sections of a Corporate Charter

At a minimum, a corporate charter must include the following:

  • Corporation's name
  • Corporation's mission
  • Classification of profit or nonprofit
  • Corporation's location
  • Amount of approved shares to be issued
  • Names of individuals included in the incorporation

As mentioned previously, some corporate charters include a filing fee; however, most states do not charge to file.

Additional benefits to those mentioned previously concerning the use of a lawyer in creating a corporate charter include:

  • More legally accurate documents
  • Better business environments

While general information is typically uniform from state to state, some states have specific requirements concerning various sections of a charter such as:

  • Including Inc. or Incorporated in the name
  • Including the name of the legal agent

Regardless of location, a corporation is required to appoint a registered agent to act as the legal recipient of any significant legal documents.

The section providing the corporation's purpose must also include the following:

  • Activities of the corporation
  • Industry details
  • Type of goods and services provided

The names of the individuals involved in the incorporation of the business should include the following titles:

  • Founders
  • Corporate officers
  • Original directors

The section that provides the number of authorized shares to be issued must also include the stock price for the initial public offering or IPO.

A corporate charter is often mistaken as an extra tool used in addition to the articles of incorporation; however, a corporate charter, and the articles of incorporation are actually the same legal document.

Corporate Charter and Business Registration

Each type of business entity requires distinct documents that must be filed with the applicable state agency in order to register the business.

For example, a limited liability company and a corporation are considered different types of business entities; therefore, they have different legal documents that must be submitted to the secretary of state. Once these legal documents are filed, both entity types become legally established.

Corporate Charter Number vs. Other Registration Numbers

While the corporate charter number is crucial, it’s important to understand how it differs from other identification numbers your business may receive, such as:

  • Employer Identification Number (EIN): Issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes.
  • State Tax ID Numbers: Used for state tax reporting.
  • Business License Numbers: Issued by local governments for operational permission.

Differences:

  • The charter number is state-specific and tied to the legal existence of the corporation.
  • The EIN is a federal number used for employment and tax reporting, not as a substitute for the corporate charter number.
  • Some states may call the charter number a “document number,” “filing number,” or “registration number,” but its primary function is to track the charter’s approval and ongoing status.

Always use your corporate charter number when interacting with state agencies about legal status, compliance, or filings. For federal issues, use your EIN. For local permits or licenses, use the relevant local registration numbers.

How to Find and Use Your Corporate Charter Number

If you’re unsure where to find your corporate charter number:

  1. Check Your Certificate: It is usually listed on your articles of incorporation or certificate of incorporation issued by the state.
  2. Online Business Search: Most Secretary of State offices offer online tools where you can search your business name to find its official number.
  3. Annual Reports and Filings: Your charter number will appear on annual reports or any amendments you file.
  4. Contact the State: You can contact your state’s corporate filing office to retrieve your charter number if lost.

When do you need your charter number?

  • Filing annual or biennial reports.
  • Making amendments to the corporate charter or corporate structure.
  • Paying state fees or taxes.
  • Dissolving the business.

Maintaining accurate records of your corporate charter number ensures you can efficiently manage compliance and avoid delays or penalties.

Why the Corporate Charter Number Is Important

The corporate charter number isn’t just a formality—it’s a critical part of your company’s legal identity. Here’s why it matters:

  • Proof of Legal Existence: It verifies your corporation is officially recognized by the state.
  • Required for Compliance: Needed for filing documents, paying fees, or making changes to your entity.
  • Public Record Search: Enables customers, vendors, and government agencies to confirm your company’s legal status and good standing.
  • Helps Prevent Fraud: The unique number helps prevent identity confusion between similarly named entities.

By safeguarding your corporate charter number and using it in all required filings, you help protect your business’s legal status and reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a corporate charter number?

A corporate charter number is a unique identifier assigned by the state when your corporation’s charter (articles of incorporation) is filed and approved.

2. Where can I find my corporate charter number?

You can find it on your articles or certificate of incorporation, in online business entity databases, or by contacting your state’s Secretary of State office.

3. Is the corporate charter number the same as an EIN?

No. The charter number is state-issued for legal identification; the EIN is a federal tax number from the IRS.

4. Do I need my corporate charter number for tax purposes?

Usually, you use your EIN for tax purposes, but your charter number is required for state-level compliance, annual reports, and other legal filings.

5. What happens if I lose my corporate charter number?

You can retrieve it through your state’s business entity search tool or by contacting the state agency that handles business registrations.

If you need help with a corporate charter, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.