Nonprofit Corporation Formation Filing in Wyoming

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Articles and status

Section 17-19-201 lets one or more persons deliver articles to the Secretary of State. Section 17-19-202(a)(ii) requires an express choice among public benefit, mutual benefit, and religious corporation; paragraph (v) requires an answer about members. Section 17-19-301(a) supplies a lawful-activity purpose unless the articles limit it.

Directors, signatures, and agent

Under § 17-19-202(b)(iii), first director names are optional. If named, those directors must sign with the incorporators under § 17-19-202(c). The agent must manually sign a separate written consent that accompanies the articles under § 17-19-202(e). Section 17-19-120(g) also requires the person executing a filed document to sign manually and state a name and capacity.

Fee and existence

Section 17-19-122(a)(i) charges $50 for the articles. Existence begins when the articles are filed under § 17-19-203(a), unless a later effective date is specified. Section 17-19-123(b) caps the later date at the 90th day after filing.

What trips people up

The articles also must state a dissolution-asset provision under § 17-19-202(a)(vi). A delayed effective date without a time takes effect at the close of business under § 17-19-123(b). Section 17-19-120(j) calls for a matching copy with the filing and fee.

Common questions

Must the articles state a detailed activity? Section 17-19-301(a) provides a general lawful-activity purpose, and § 17-19-202(b)(ii) makes a purpose clause optional.

Can the agent sign only the articles? Section 17-19-202(e) calls for a separate written consent manually signed by the agent.

Statutes and sources

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-201: “One (1) or more persons may act as the incorporator or incorporators of a corporation by delivering articles of incorporation to the secretary of state for filing.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-202(a): “The articles of incorporation shall set forth: (i) A corporate name for the corporation that satisfies the requirements of W.S. 17-19-401; (ii) One (1) of the following statements: (A) This corporation is a public benefit corporation; (B) This corporation is a mutual benefit corporation; (C) This corporation is a religious corporation. (iii) The street address of the corporation's initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at that office; (iv) The name and address of each incorporator; (v) Whether or not the corporation will have members; and (vi) Provisions not inconsistent with law regarding the distribution of assets on dissolution.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-202(b)(ii)–(iii): “The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized, which may be, either alone or in combination with other purposes, the transaction of any lawful activity; (iii) The names and addresses of the individuals who are to serve as the initial directors;” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-202(c): “Each incorporator and director named in the articles shall sign the articles.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-202(e): “The articles of incorporation shall be accompanied by a written consent to appointment manually signed by the registered agent.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-203(a): “Unless a delayed effective date is specified, the corporate existence begins when the articles of incorporation are filed.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-120(g): “The person executing a document shall sign it manually and shall state beneath or opposite the signature his name and the capacity in which he signs.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-120(j): “The document shall be delivered to the office of the secretary of state for filing and shall be accompanied by: (i) One (1) exact or conformed copy (except as provided in W.S. 17-28-103); (ii) The correct filing fee; and (iii) Any past due or currently due franchise tax, license fee, other fee or penalty required by this act or other law.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-122(a)(i): “The secretary of state shall collect the following fees when the documents described in this subsection are delivered for filing: Document Fee (i) Articles of Incorporation......$50.00” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-123(b): “A document may specify a delayed effective time and date, and if it does so the document becomes effective at the time and date specified. If a delayed effective date but no time is specified, the document is effective at the close of business on that date. A delayed effective date for a document may not be later than the 90th day after the date filed.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).

• Wyo. Stat. § 17-19-301(a): “Every corporation incorporated under this act has the purpose of engaging in any lawful activity unless a more limited purpose is set forth in the articles of incorporation.” Official source (accessed 2026-10-01).